[1] According to Donald Levine, Sebestyanos' father, Negasi Krestos, proclaimed in his will that his oldest son Akawa would inherit his "throne".
However, drought and famine afflicted Shewa: the nobility deposed Akawa in favor of his younger son Daña.
Dreading the fighting that he knew would follow, Sebestyanos fled Menz to the safety of Merhabete, where he served the governor.
His son Qedami Qal had been rebuilding some of the churches that had been destroyed by Ahmad Gragn, one of which was in Doqaqit dedicated to St. Michael.
Sebestyanos understood this as an act of rebellion, and set forth to capture and discipline his son; however, in the ensuing battle one of Qedami Qal's servants accidentally killed the Meridazmach.