Title
- King Lalibala, the 13th c. Ethiopian monarch, and his godson at Dabra Zamaddo
Description
King Lalibala was the godfather of his brother’s son. When the child was three, Lalibala separated him from his mother’s bosom and took him into his care. After this, the child stopped eating anything except for earth, which he only consumed on the Sabbath. The people of the country thought the boy looked healthy and beautiful, so they assumed he ate and drank whatever he wanted. Only Lalibala knew of his godson’s secret fasting. One day, while the boy was sleeping near his spiritual father, Lalibala noticed a goat tether tied around his waist. Seeing this, and reflecting on his godson’s torment, Lalibala began to weep. At that moment Mary appeared and spoke to Lalibala. She explained that righteous individuals like his godson find the kingdom of heaven by refusing to be subservient to food and drink. Comforted by Mary’s words, Lalibala abandoned his sorrow.
Contributors
- Wendy Laura Belcher, editor
- Taylor Eggan, contributor
History
-
Taylor Eggan on :
(PEMM) typed incipit and summary at https://pemm.princeton.edu/stories/1016 -
Wendy Laura Belcher on :
(PEMM) identified the miracle