Abune Zena Markos

Abune Zena MARKOS His Eminence Abune Zena Markos, Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, passed away at age 72, on Saturday February 13, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. Abune Zena Markos was born on November 2, 1937 in Ethiopia. Early on, as a celibate monk he dedicated his life to Christ by following and completing the path of the traditional Ethiopian clergy. After he was ordained as full-fledged priest, he served in various churches and monasteries as a priest and administrator. Abune Zena Markos was sent to Greece for four years for advanced theological studies and research. After finishing his studies in Greece, he served at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. Abune Zena Markos was appointed the Archbishop of Wollega on January 21, 1979 and he served his flock in Wollega with love and dedication for six years. Before he left Ethiopia, his eminence was Chief Aide to the Patriarch of Ethiopia. He continued his apostolic duties all over the world, notably in Africa, Australia and North America. His dedication and hard work is visible today all over the world by the number of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo churches owned by Ethiopians and served by Ethiopian clergy. He was instrumental to the building of numerous churches in Kenya, Canada and the United States, chief among them is Mekane Birhan St. Gebriel Tewahedo Cathedral in Seattle, which he built and served for over 16 years. His Eminence Abune Zena Markos is being mourned by Ethiopians all over the world and will be greatly missed by all. Prayer Services will be held on Saturday, February 20th 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church, 940 26th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98144. Services have been entrusted to Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA. Please sign the guest book at www.bonneywatson.com.