Chronological overview of Wolde Sellasie’s life and ministry
Wolde Sellasie Kenfu [ወልደ ሥላሴ ክንፉ] was born in the Semien area in 1841. From 1855 to 1860, he studied at the school for debteras at Gondar.
1860-61: Wolde Sellasie accompanied Emperor Tewodros II on his journeys, carrying the imperial tabot.
1862ff: Wolde Sellasie taught at the Hamasen Province Training Centre for teachers and priests.
1866ff: Amharic Bibles sent by Martin Flad and deposited at the Training Centre. Some students read the Bibles in secret. Beginning of a revival at the Centre.
1869: Wolde Selassie Kenfu established contact with St. Chrischona missionaries.
1871-72: Wolde Sellasie met Bishop Gobat in Jerusalem and stayed for one year at the Bishop’s school (receiving instruction and supervising others).
May 1872: Wolde Sellasie arrived with Mr Jäger (Spittler’s right-hand man) in Basel and began his studies at St. Chrischona.
February 1873 (- _ _ _): Wolde Sellasie went to Korntal and helped Dr Krapf revise the Amharic Bible translation.
Spring 1874: Sent by St. Chrischona Pilgrimage Mission, Wolde Sellasie returned to Hamasen to work as an evangelist.
He assisted members of the revival movement who had come under pressure of the governor of the Hamasen Province. Protected by General John Kirkham, Wolde Sellasie and his followers built a station at Ginda.
In 1876, a civil war broke out in Hamasen. Wolde Sellasie was killed in the Tse’azzega massacre in July 1876.
Picture
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[Most pictures of St. Chrischona students from Abyssinia were taken before Wolde Sellasie arrived in Switzerland in May 1872]
Further reading
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