Zeway Hamere Birhan Saint Gabriel Monastery and Spiritual College of Management is an institution of historical and spiritual significance within the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

The monastery is located on the eastern side of Zeway (Batu) town, approximately three kilometers from the town center and about 163 kilometers from Addis Ababa along the Mojo–Hawassa highway, on the shore of Lake Zeway.

It brings together monastic life, traditional Ethiopian Orthodox education, priestly formation, higher spiritual education, and child care. Through these ministries, it seeks to serve the Church and the wider community while preserving Ethiopia's spiritual and cultural heritage.

The monastery's priest-training institution was established in 1959 E.C. through the initiative of His Holiness Abune Theophilos, the second Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, with support from the World Council of Churches.

Its principal purpose was to train priests and prepare them for service in the Church.

His Grace Abune Lukas, Archbishop of the Arsi Diocese and representative of the Holy Synod, and the British priest Robert Ayadels, representing the World Council of Churches, followed the construction project.

After approximately one year of construction, the institution was blessed and inaugurated on Yekatit 2, 1960 E.C., by His Holiness Abune Theophilos. Bishops, representatives of the Greek and Catholic Churches, and senior government officials attended the ceremony.

Between 1960 and 1966 E.C., the priest-training institution educated clergy from different parts of Ethiopia and graduated approximately 150 students at diploma level.

Historical accounts also indicate that students associated with Sewasew Berhan Saint Paul Spiritual College received training at Zeway.

These early activities helped prepare clergy for pastoral ministry, strengthen theological education, and support the continued service of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Following the political changes of 1966 E.C., the priest-training institution closed for approximately six years. The priests who had been studying there dispersed, and the student residences remained largely unoccupied.

In 1969 E.C., the Derg government temporarily used the premises to train two groups of people's militia.

Their dedication helped preserve the institution's heritage during a period of uncertainty.

A significant chapter in the monastery's history is associated with the apostolic ministry and dedication of His Grace Abune Gregorios II.

In 1970 E.C., approximately ninety hermits were sent to the monastery in an effort to restore its activities. However, the intended renewal did not fully materialize.

In 1971 E.C., Abune Gregorios II came to Zeway with a commitment to reopening the priest-training institution, restoring its interrupted educational work, and continuing the vision originally established under His Holiness Abune Theophilos.

“While studying abroad, I used to say that when I returned to my country, I would gather the children of my homeland in a desert region such as Metekel and teach them the teachings, culture, and traditions of the Church. By God's will, I came to Zeway.”

After receiving episcopal consecration on Tir 13, 1971 E.C., His Grace devoted himself to making the monastery a center of Gospel teaching, spiritual learning, and the preparation of Church servants.

He wrote books, gathered and cared for many children, and strengthened spiritual education. Despite numerous challenges, he continued his work with determination, guided by the principle, “Keep working quietly and faithfully.”

His ministry contributed to the formation of bishops, monks, Gospel teachers, and other Church servants.

His Grace Abune Gregorios II passed away unexpectedly on Hamle 22, 1982 E.C. Following his passing, Abune Kawustos, Abune Gabriel, and Abune Qerlos led the monastery from 1982 to 1987 E.C.

Beginning in 1973 E.C., Abba Tetemke served the monastery in several capacities, including as a Qese Gebez, administrator, and abbot.

On Hidar 4, 1987 E.C., through the laying on of hands by His Holiness Abune Paulos, he received the episcopal title Abune Gregorios and became the monastery's senior guardian, according to the historical account provided.

Under his leadership, the monastery continued to strengthen its spiritual and developmental activities. Its ministries include monastic life, priestly formation, traditional church education, a spiritual college, and child care.

As Archbishop of the East Shewa Diocese, Abune Gregorios was known for his dedication to safeguarding the monastery and supporting its development.

The monastery is remembered as an institution from which more than sixteen bishops are said to have emerged. It has also contributed to the formation of teachers, monks, evangelists, priests, and deacons.

Its contribution extends beyond formal education and clerical training. It also seeks to preserve and transmit the liturgical traditions, religious teachings, cultural heritage, traditional learning, and monastic discipline of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church to future generations.

The monastery's historical significance lies in the relationship between prayer, scholarship, spiritual discipline, pastoral formation, and service to the community.

1. Developing the College toward University Status Expand spiritual education and theological studies, with the long-term goal of university-level development, subject to ecclesiastical and regulatory requirements.
2. Becoming a Center for Traditional Orthodox Education Strengthen traditional church education, preserve its teaching methods, and transmit this heritage to future generations.
3. Establishing a Center for the Four Traditional Schools Develop a center dedicated to the study, preservation, and teaching of the four traditional schools of Ethiopian Orthodox learning.
4. Expanding Research and Religious Arts Study and preserve Ge'ez manuscripts, religious paintings, historical materials, and traditional church art.
5. Transitioning toward Self-Reliant Development Establish sustainable income-generating activities to strengthen financial independence and support the monastery's ministries.

Zeway Hamere Birhan Saint Gabriel Monastery and Spiritual College of Management stands as a center of history, prayer, education, spiritual formation, and service.

Since its establishment, the institution has served the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church through the dedication of its spiritual fathers, teachers, monks, clergy, and faithful servants. Its history reflects both the challenges faced by religious institutions and the determination of those who preserved its heritage through difficult periods.

By strengthening traditional education, expanding theological studies, caring for children, preserving religious and cultural treasures, and developing sustainable sources of income, the monastery seeks to serve both the Church and the wider community.

The responsibility of preserving this heritage belongs to the present generation and those who will follow. Through faith, dedication, education, and responsible development, the monastery seeks to transmit its spiritual legacy to future generations.