In the mountainous parish of Mount Siyon stands Saint Mary Orthodox Church. It is the brainchild of Theodus Percival Greene, a former Episcopal minister. To his adherents, Greene is known as the pious Abba Kristos. Kristos chooses his successor during an excursion to Africa and betroths his daughter Rose to him. Aaron Makonnen is the present Abba of Saint Mary. His marriage to Rose comes to a crossroad when she is smitten by the handsome "adoptive" son of Abuna Haymanoth, the Archbishop of Mount Siyon. Priests of the Eastern rite are forbidden to divorce or remarry. Love may not be enough to conquer all.