Background of the Establishment of the Nunnery

The History of Sebeta  Getsemany  Mariam  Bete  Denagil  Tebabat Nunnery

Sebeta Gethsemane St.MaryTebabat Nunnery is located at distance of 24km west of Addis ababa. Although Sebeta is a small town nearest to AddisAbeba, it is currently to have 67,000 resding population. The naming of Gethsemane St.MaryTebabat Nunnery has got a biblical and thus it has been explained below

Sebeta is name of small town where the nunnery is built. In Oromo language, the word “Sebeta” refers to a “women’s traditional cotton-made rag to be worn as a belt on the waist”. And as the bible describe, Gethsemane (in Jerusalem) is the first place of Prayer of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and it is also an encircling place where Our Savior was persecuted. Gethsemane is also the Holy Virgin Mary’s place of rest.

Moreover, “nunnery” means a quiet and solitude place of residence for Christian women celibates. GehthsemaneSt.MaryTebabat Nunnery was launched in a church that Empress Menen got its Construction Started in 1947 and had it done in 1950. The design of this church seems like the Church in Jerusalem.

As we have mentioned above, the nunnery was this named Gethsemane St.MaryTebabat Nunnery dedicated to her Majesty Empress and Prince Sahle Selassie Haile Selassie.

During their monarchical reign, hence, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I and Her Majesty Empress Menen had mad such histories that are providing spiritual service as evidence in this day. To mention the few example of provincial church and palaces they got them built;

• At their provincial palace in Sidamo, Curch of KidaneMehret
• At their provincial palace in Harar, specifically at Yerer, Church of the Holy Trinity
• At their provincial palace in the town of Dire Dawa, St.Michael’s Church
• As well as some other provincial palace and church in some other cities and town

Nearly at a distance of 24km west of AddisAbaba in Sebeta town. Her Majesty Empress Menen had her provincial palace built. And aside the palace, she got the church of Gethsemane Saint Maty Built in 1950

The major activities of the Nunnery included the following

• Religious service
• Care for Children
• Farm activities
• Handicrafts
• Health service through clinic
• Bakery
• Flour mill service
• Cattle Rearing
• Beekeeping
• Running school