This sacred oil painting portrays Abune Tekle Haymanot and Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus, two of the most venerated saints in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity.
On the left stands Abune Tekle Haymanot, the legendary hermit and monastic reformer from Shewa, known for his unwavering devotion and miraculous life. He is recognized as the only Ethiopian saint widely venerated both within and beyond Ethiopia, and is often depicted with angelic wings, symbolizing his spiritual elevation.
On the right is Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus, the Egyptian-born ascetic saint who founded the monastery of Zuqualla and is honored on the fifth day of every Ethiopian month. Clothed in white and surrounded by wild animals—symbols of his purity and spiritual command over nature—he is known for countless miracles and a life of otherworldly holiness.
Set against vibrant, symbolic backgrounds, this painting invites viewers into the mystical world of Ethiopian sainthood and reflects the divine power, humility, and sacred mystery of these holy men.
- Subject Matter: Portrait, Religious, Iconography