Career
Paul B. Henze states that his throne name was ""Anbasa Wedem", which tradition states was his oldest son"s name. Abuna Peter selected Delegate Na"od, but upset with the decision "Abasa Wedem is said to have bribed an Egyptian monk Mennas to go to Alexandria and convince the Patriarch of Alexandria to remove Abuna Peter so "Anbasa Wedem could claim the throne. Mennas returned with forged papers that made him Abuna, and he consecrated "Anbasa Wedem as king.
Delegate Na"od"s supporters thereupon collected troops and deposed "Anasa Wedem.
Upon learning the truth, Patriarch Cosmas excommunicated Mennas—but Mennas had died by that time. Taddesse Tamrat repeats traditions that Degna Djan both led military expeditions as far south as Ennarea, and commanded missionary activities in the highlands of Angot and the modern region of Amhara.
Because the Gadla of Tekle Haymanot states that Degna Djan lived 18 generations—or 400–600 years—before the saint (c 1215), "this brings Digna-January to the first half of the ninth century.".
