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312 ḳōmōs corresponds to a Coptic ḳummuṣ (p. 257). The Dabtarā is a learned man who instructs the clergy, teaches them their duties, supervises churches, and so on; but apparently is himself a layman. There is an enormous number of monks. As their founder they honour St. Takla Haimānōt, a very popular Ethiopic saint, who is said to have introduced, or reorganized, the angelic life about the year 620. His name means "Plant of life." His feast is December 24. So in their diptychs for the dead, they pray always: "Remember, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, our father Takla Haimānōt, and all his companions." He was the first 'Itshāgē. The organized monks, who take the usual vows (like Coptic monks), live in monasteries under a ḳōmōs. The head of all of them is the 'Itshāgē, who lives at Gondar, and is the second greatest ecclesiastical person in the land. The 'Itshāgē, being a native, is more popular, and is a formidable rival to Abūna. There are also many hermits, wandering holy men who beg, people possessed by various spirits, and monks (of a kind) who continue to live with their families, are not celibate, but wear a religious dress and practise certain special devotions. There are nuns in convents. Monks wear a tunic, a belt, a great cloak and a hood. The secular priests and bishops dress much as do the Copts, except that a kalemaukion seems common.

6. Rites and Ceremonies

There is an enormous number of churches all over the country, many more than are needed. The Abyssinian church is, apparently always, a round building with the sanctuary in the middle.