Saint Yared Feast Day May 19th

St Yared
Born- April 5th 525 AD
Died- May 11 571 AD

-St Yared was a legendary musician from Axum, Tigray, Ethiopia.
-He invented sacred music tradition of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo.

St Yared is responsible for creating zema.
( Zema is a liturgical chant practised in the orthodox church )
The musical notation is known as “ Melekket”.

The birds sang to him and Yared was listening and was memorised by the sweet sound. After Yared and heard the hymns from the angels he began working and composed a large number of chants for the hymns  we use today in the orthodox church.

He also invented a system of musical signs and symbols, and introduced the mequamia (praying stick) to provide support during the long services of his sacred dance.

He is regarded as saint and his feast day is May the 19th.
Saint Yared had a difficult upbringing as he had difficulties in school, he received occasional  physical punishment by his angry uncle at home.

He was tired of the anger and punishment and life was becoming difficult for him.
Saint Yared travelled to Bete Giorgis on the outskirts of Axum and rested under a tree in Murade Qal.

While Yared was angry and was  sitting down he noticed a small insect trying to climb a tree. The insect was constantly trying to a climb the tree but on the 8th attempt the insect succeeded to climb the tree.

Through the insects journey of climbing the tree Saint Yared learnt a great wisdom of God.
He returned back to his spiritual teacher “Abba Gedeon and begged to be forgiven and to be taken back to continue his studies.

His spiritual teacher forgave him and began teaching him the Psalms. Saint Yared  went to St Mary of Tsion church everyday and prayed everyday.

He finished 150 Psalms of David, the books of Prophets, and King Solomon including the translations and the laws of the church within a short period of time .