Saint Yared – Father of Ethiopian Hymnology

 Saint Yared – Father of Ethiopian Hymnology

Saint Yared (505–571 AD) is the legendary composer of the Zema, the sacred musical system of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Through divine inspiration, he created a spiritual language of melody that continues to shape worship in Ethiopia to this day.

🎶 His Musical Contributions:

• Invented Zema, a liturgical music system based on three modes:

  • ግዕዝ (Ge’ez) – Plain chant

  • ዕዝል (Ezel) – Lament

  • አራራይ (Araray) – Joyful chant

• Composed hymns for:

  • Daily prayers

  • Holy days and fasts

  • Psalms, Synaxarium, and Gospel readings

🕊️ His Life and Miracles:

• Born in Aksum, he struggled at first to learn, but after seeing a worm persistently climbing a tree, he was inspired to try again.

• Tradition says he received the Zema directly from heaven through angelic revelation.

• Taught by angels under a tree near the Church of St. Mary of Zion.

🏛️ His Impact Today:

• All Ethiopian Orthodox chants, from Matins to Divine Liturgy, are based on Saint Yared’s system.

• Students of hymnology (መንክር) still memorize his verses by heart using the traditional Yared School method.

• Mequamia sticks, used rhythmically in liturgy, are part of his musical legacy.

🎥 Watch More:
📺 Learn About Saint Yared on Our YouTube Channel

📘 Coming Soon:

• Saint Yared Hymns Samples

• PDF download of Zema chart

🕯️ “He who praises God with pure music is joined to the angels in heaven.”

📌 Ancient Wisdom. Modern Teaching.