Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus (Ge'ez:አቡነ ገብረ መንፈስ ቅዱስ; also familiarly called Abo; born 29 December 829 E.C.

Forty days after his birth, the baptism of Gebre Menfes Kidus was celebrated with a banquet attended by the Roman emperor.

When he was three years old, God sent his archangel Gabriel to the child, to take him into the desert and put him into the custody of the monk Zamada Berhan, leaving his parents and nurse in despair.

In Ethiopian iconography, Qeddus is commonly depicted in full view standing upright, covered by his hair from top to toe, while lions and leopards rest at his feet.

Gebre Menfes Kidus begged the Lord to make him invisible, so as to prevent humans and supernatural beings alike from recognizing him and putting him to the test.

In Ethiopia he founded the monastery of Zuqualla, in an extinct volcano, which is in the southern part of the former province of Shewa (now in Ada'a Chukala woreda).

Some texts say that, before establishing his monastery, Gebre Menfes Kidus was tempted by demons and devils for a period of hundred years, after which time the Lord exempted the Ethiopians from sin.

While he was still on his way back from heaven, three other saints arrived in Kabd to visit him -- Samuel of Waldebba, Anbas of Hazalo, and Benyam of lower Begemder—who were all accompanied by lions.