Qerellos III was an Abuna, or head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (1816 - 1828?). In the words of Richard Pankhurst, "A controversial figure, he is reputed to have been fanatical and rapacious." He came to Ethiopia 12 years after the death of the last effective Abuna, Yosab III, at the efforts of Ras Wolde Selassie in the last year of the Ras' life. No sooner had he left Massawa than he sent forth a demand for the house of Nathaniel Pearce in Chalacot, because the Abuna had heard it was the finest one in Ras Wolde Selassie's realm; when Pearce refused to give up his home, Abuna Qerellos forbade all priests of the Ethiopian church from providing communion until Pearce changed his mind. Only the efforts of Pearce's wife at last led the Englishman to surrender his house and home to the prel