Newaya Krestos

Newaya Krestos ( äthiop. ንዋየ ክርስቶስ, throne name Sayfa Ar ` ed, ሰይፈ አርድ ) ( † 1372 ) was from 1344 to 1372 Negest Negus ( Emperor ) of Ethiopia and a member of the Solomonic dynasty. He was the eldest son of Amda Seyon I.

After the death of his father he had yielded to the entreaties of the Abuna Jacob, and the retrieved through Amda Seyon into exile skillful monks and, unlike his predecessors, began to live a monogamous life. Later, however, he broke his word and married three women. When the Abuna Jacob, and the abbot protested, the Emperor sent the Abuna back to Egypt and the monks into exile in the southern part of the kingdom.

During his reign the Walashma dynasty rebelled that were found Ali ibn Sabr ad-Din. In return Newaya Krestos undertook campaigns along the Ethiopian border in the east, in the areas of Adal and Ifat. Lack support from his subjects ended in failure Ali ad-Din, who was captured along with all of his sons. This ended the independence of the Sultanate of Ifat. Newaya Krestos let Ali al-Din and, throwing all his sons except one, Ahmad ibn Ali in the dungeon. Ahmad he made governor of Ifat. After eight years, Ali was released from prison and came back to power. Ahmad and his sons were removed from power and only through the direct intervention of the Emperor Ahmad received the sovereignty over a single district.

Notwithstanding his earlier actions against the Ethiopian Church, he helped to end his rule, vehemently the Patriarch of Alexandria Marcos IV This had been taken previously captured by the Sultan of Egypt, Al - Salih.

One of the steps that took Newaya Krestos was to capture the Egyptian merchants in his kingdom. In addition, he advanced, before at the head of a large army against Egypt. According to tradition, the patriarch Marcos was freed and sent a delegation to induce the Emperor to return to his kingdom. Newaya Krestos returned, but kept the delegation reluctantly with him.

The reconstruction of the old church Debre Igziabher above the Hayksees is another merit Newaya Krestos. This church was in 1531 were looted and burned by Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al - Ghazi.