"The text in this volume (with its translation) is from the writings of Emperor Zär'a Yaeqob, the prolific scholar who reformed the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the fifteenth century. In this homily, which is part of his previously published Mäshafä Berhan "Book of Light" (see CSCO vols. 250/Script. Aeth. 47 and 261/Script. Aeth. 51), he addresses in detail the ritual of Christian baptism and the requirement of religious instruction for the baptized faithful as well as the would-be baptized catechumens. The ritual for adults is discussed and defined with thoroughness and clarity not found in any other source. Significantly, the text suggests that there was at that time a large number of non-Christians who converted to Orthodox Christianity, either of their own free will or due to pressure from Christian rulers, including the Emperor."--Publisher's description.