ArbaharaEthiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Monastery
Grand Opening Ceremony

Our Grand Opening: a beginning blessed by prayer

A small gathering. A generous beginning. A shared journey of faith.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God.

With hearts full of thanksgiving, we celebrate the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Monastery of Abuna Hara Dengeel. This joyful gathering commemorated the beginning of our monastery’s life together: a place being prepared for prayer, worship, hospitality, and the generations to come.

Around 50
People gathered
$50,000
Raised for the House of Prayer
Three clergy members stand behind a covered table on the porch, with one speaking into a microphone.
The presence and prayers of our clergy mark this joyful beginning.

Small in number, generous in spirit

About 50 people came together for the ceremony. Though our gathering was small, its generosity was remarkable: together, we raised $50,000 specifically for the House of Prayer. Construction is expected to begin soon, and another $50,000 is needed to finish it. We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave, served, prayed, and helped make this beginning possible.

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A blessing for our beginning

We were blessed by the presence of clergy, who joined us in prayer and blessed the feast. Their presence helped make the occasion a deeply meaningful beginning, bringing our spiritual family together in gratitude to God.

Fellowship beneath the tents

Afterward, we sat and ate outside beneath the tents, sharing food and fellowship on the monastery grounds. These simple shelters called to mind Israel’s journey before entering the Promised Land: a people traveling in faith, sustained along the way, with hope for what lay ahead. For our community, the meal was a reminder that we can begin walking together even while our permanent places of worship and gathering are still being prepared.

We are very pleased with the ceremony and thankful for the care that went into it—from preparing the feast and arranging the tents to welcoming families and supporting the work of the monastery. The photographs below preserve moments from this shared beginning.

Our shared memory

Moments from the Grand Opening

Seven photographs from our community’s gathering. The clergy photograph above and the six moments below preserve the ceremony, the feast, and the fellowship.

Clergy and community members gather beside a table of food beneath an outdoor canopy.
Clergy join the community at the feast, blessed before the shared meal.
Members seated outdoors face clergy gathered at a table on the residence porch.
Our spiritual family gathers for the ceremony on the monastery grounds.
Two participants stand with papers on the shaded porch during the gathering.
Words shared with the community during the Grand Opening ceremony.
Sacred images stand along the residence porch beside chairs and a large shade tree.
Sacred images and the shade of the trees form part of the gathering place.
A speaker holding a blue folder addresses the gathering from the porch.
A message shared with those gathered to commemorate the monastery’s beginning.
Community members gather under white canopies among trees on the monastery grounds.
Fellowship beneath the tents: sharing a meal and looking ahead in faith.

Help complete the House of Prayer

Our next step is to build the House of Prayer, a place for our spiritual family to gather in worship. With $50,000 already raised, we are actively seeking donations for the remaining $50,000 needed to complete it. Please help us carry this beginning forward through your prayers and generosity. May God bless all who have helped establish the Monastery of Abuna Hara Dengeel, and guide the work still before us. Amen.