Statue of His Holiness Abune Petros
The first statue was erected in 1941 and inaugurated by Emperor Haile Selassie in memory of Abune Petros, the archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox church who supported the national patriots against the fascist Italian invaders.
The fascist leaders tried to persuade him to preach to the people of Ethiopia to accept their leadership. Instead, he courageously faced the firing squad in defiance and inspired both the patriots and the whole population not to surrender to the Italians by excommunicating not only the faithful but also the land itself. He was shot July 1929 because of his resistance; thus the monument describing the action is seen within the street and square under his name just below the City Hall to the west in front of many people who are ordered to be gathered to see his death.
Immediately after freedom, Emperor Haileselassie I ordered the erection of the monument of Abune Petros. After a few years another monument with full bishopric robe, a cross and a bible in his hands was erected and inaugurated in October 1938 in relation with the coronation of Emperor Haileselassie. The original statue with full bishopric robe, a cross and a Bible in his hands, was replaced by the present one, which indicates the action of his murder with guns in chained hands. The first statue is today found in the premises of St. George Cathedral in front of the bell tower where there is a small museum. This is the second monument indicates the action of his murder with guns, chained hands and priestly costumes. It was erected in 1946. It is located at Piassa near Addis Ababa municipality building.
