An 15th century Ethiopian icon of the infant Christ child sitting on his mother's knee was discovered after it was cleaned by a British charity.
A 15th century Ethiopian icon of the infant Christ child sitting on his mother's knee can be revealed after it was cleaned by a British charity
The central panel of the triptych had over the centuries become blackened with the sprinkling of perfume that the monks use as they worship.
The hugely important and stunning painted wood panel is now visible in its original coloured glory, showing a pale-faced Jesus with black curly hair and rosy cheeks.
His hand has three digits raised and two down as if blessing the person looking at him.
He has a halo and is wearing a gown and is perched on his mother's knee and she too has a halo.
The monks at the Monastery of St Stephen on an island in Lake Hayq in the north of the African country believe the icon, known as The One Who Listens, to be miraculous.
The artist had great skill, which is particularly obvious in the detail of Mary's robes.
In the central panel are three other figures, two archangels, Michael and Gabriel, armed with swords ready to protect the saviour and the third, St Stephen, after whom the monastery is named.
The side panels have 12 figures upon them all looking inwards towards the central picture.
They include Abuna TeklelyesusMoa, who sponsored the work, various saints including St Peter and St Paul, and abbots from the monastery.
It is one of the most celebrated icons in Ethiopia and is now housed in a special museum with other ancient relics.
The British charity The Ethiopian Heritage Fund sent experts to preserve the painting that had previously been covered with varnish.
Blair Priday from the charity, said: "This icon is one of the most celebrated in Ethiopia and because of its veneration, over time, the central panel had become blackened and was later painted over with thick layers of varnish as protection.
"The faces of the mother and child were barely visible.
"The varnish was carefully removed so it regained the original luminosity.
"The icon's repair was undertaken by Laurie Morocco, a foremost icon restore, who camped in the monastery's grounds while he did the work.
"In the mid 15th century a new technique of painting on wood with an undercoating of Gesso was introduced resulting in a much more luminous effect.
"When the varnish was removed by Laurie, one of the glories of Ethiopian art was visible once more.
"St Stephen's was a very important monastery and seat of learning, and although it was raided and lost some of its relics, many remained including a beautiful cross, manuscripts and this icon.
"This ancient seat of learning now has a museum where these incredible treasures are displayed in a small museum within the monastery
"We could not have carried out the work without the support of the Bureau of Culture and the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Church and our expert advisor Jacques Mercier."
Christianity was adopted by the Ethiopians in the fourth century when King Ezra, ruler of the Axumite kingdom, was converted.
The country boasts one of the world's oldest illustrated Christian manuscripts - the Garima Gospels - which the charity has also conserved.
The charity has also been working on the rock churches of Tigray in the highlands of north east Ethiopia.
These are built high in the sandstone cliffs that dominate the landscape.
The churches are carved out of the rock and contain many beautiful paintings of Christian saints many of which are indigenous to Ethiopia.
In a church in Bahera, the saints on the church pillars had been splashed with lime wash which has now been cleaned off.
The frescos that cover the walls of Debta Tsion are currently being conserved.
The biggest abuse at almost every parish is the nearly 100% reception of Holy Communion by the congregation in parishes that have minuscule Confession opportunities and lines. I would think that the Communion fast from food before reception should be increased from one hour to three hours. This would make it much more likely that many parishioners would not be able to keep the fast and if they were adequately catechized, they would not want to receive Communion. This requirement and that of being free from mortal sin should be announced by the celebrant immediately before Communion in every Mass for several years before the habit of sacrilegious reception can be minimized. [A similar announcement is generally given at Christmas and Easter Masses and at marriages and other events where large numbers of non-Catholics might be present.] Ushers should cease guiding communicants “row by row” up to the front. Let them go up as they want, or don’t want. Then it won’t be so conspicuous if some don’t receive, putting an end to idle speculations as to which mortal sin one’s neighbor or pew-mate had committed. Confession opportunities must then be increased for parishioners to more than just 30-60 minutes before the Saturday Vigil Mass. To read more from Stella Borealis, 
