I’ll end my religious journey of Ethiopia here, at Tigray. Specifically at a church called Abuna Yemata Guh. This friendly Christian church was hewn out of solid rock in the 5th century and sits at an altitude of over 8000 feet high. It’s accessible only by a rock trail that even Indiana Jones would hesitate to walk on. There are stone and wooden footbridges with 850 foot drops on both sides. There’s a vertical rock wall to be climbed. The final approach to the church is a 19 inch cliff ledge. And you thought the church parking lot was harrowing.
You might be thinking, as I was, that this is no longer a functioning church. You would be wrong, as I was. Services are held throughout the week. They are attended regularly by all types of people including old people like me, children, and even pregnant women. Fortunately, there are guides along the route helping people choose the correct hand and foot holds. Now those are what I might call critical church staff! According to church records, no one has ever been killed on the way to church.
The inside of the church is filled with painted images of the 12 Apostles and the 9 Saints (early Ethiopian missionaries) as well as Old testament figures and parables. There are a set of sacred scrolls stored there. The cave church is illuminated only by candles. There’s no restroom. The next time I’m feeling a little too lazy to go to church, I’ll just think about this place. Hopefully, I’ll be grateful for my local churches and get myself moving.