[4] Tradition holds that Abuna Aregawi founded the monastery of Debre Damo in Tigray Region of Ethiopia, which is said to have been commissioned by Emperor Gebre Meskel of Axum.

[5] After spending twelve years at the court of king Ella Amida of Axum, he set out with his companion, the nun Edna, to found Debre Damo.

[7] According to legend, God provided a large snake to aid Aregawi in climbing the amba, or steep-sided mountain, so he could build Debre Damo in Tigray.

As David Buxton recounts the story, "when Abba Aragawi, the founder of the monastery, came to the foot of the cliff a great serpent appeared.

As Michael the Archangel stood by to give directions, the serpent folded Abba Aregawi in his coils and drew him to the top of the mountain.