Originally a Coptic bishop from
Egypt, he was brought to
Ethiopia by
Emperor Yohannes IV, who raised the $20,000 to pay
Cyril V,
Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Abuna Atnatewos actively worked against the influence of
Catholic missionaries; Asseggahen wrote to
Antoine Thomson d'Abbadie that Atnatewos
anathematized the Catholic bishop
Massaia, and threatened to
excommunicate the inhabitants of
Shewa were they to associate with him. The Abuna supported Emperor Yohannes' campaign against the Egyptian attempt to annex
Hamasien. It is reported that Abuna Atnatewos was wounded at the
Battle of Gura, later dying on 29 June 1876. == References ==