Oriential Orthodox Beauty via Ethiopia Lalibela Rock Churches: Made by Men or God?

[Gxg (G²)]

Shalom

Made another thread elsewhere on the issue - but on the subject, I was curious on what other Oriential Orthodox felt on the matter.


For I was planning on taking a trip soon to the local Ethiopian Orthodox Church near me (as I love the astounding aspects of Ethiopian Orthodox Christology/culture - more shared in the thread entitled Ethopian Orthodoxy vs Eastern Orthodoxy: Which one's closer to 1st Century Judaism? ) - and in studying up on the issue, was truly amazed at one of the features of their culture regarding the Churches built into the ground - and astounding they considered doing so in the manner they did with the Ethiopia Lalibela rock hewn Churches.

For more specific info, Lalibela is one of Ethiopia's holiest cities, second only to Aksum, and is a center of pilgrimage for much of the country....which is amazing considering how the area is surrounded by other Muslim nations and yet still representing for Christianity. Unlike Aksum, the population of Lalibela is almost completely Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. Apparently, Lalibela was intended to be a New Jerusalem in response to the capture of Jerusalem by Muslims, and many of its historic buildings take their name and layout from buildings in Jerusalem.

Lalibela is located in Northern Ethiopia and there are 11 churches that have been cut entirely out of a single block of stone from top down into the ground. ...all connected by tunnels. The monolithic structures are located 500 kilometres (300 miles) north of the capital Addis Ababa....and long a holy pilgrimage site in a land proud of its Christian Orthodox heritage, they are also a travel draw in a poverty-stricken country hoping to boost tourism. I'm astounded that Lalibela was not built or constructed, but literally cut from stone. ..and this amazing building technique is considered by many to be a mystery, although legend has it that it was built by angels who helped to make it in the name of the Lord (as far as I'm aware).​

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Others may disagree...but it's personally up there for me with the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids amongst other things.....and prayerfully, I'll be able to visit the Lalibela Rockhewn churches IN Ethiopia someday with my family...if able to visit theNorthern group of churches of Lalibela (Ethiopia).

"Lalibela - the history behind the Rock churches of Ethiopia - YouTube"
Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela (UNESCO/NHK)
activity-50-4.wmv ​

"Ethiopian Ancient Architecture and The Ethiopian History - Documentary " ​

For other amazing documentaries on the subject:

• "Ethiopia (1/2012) - Lalibela, Ethiopian Christmas period"
• Lalibela churches | Ethiopia underground churches - GlobalPost
• ---"Ethiopia:Underground Churches of Lalibela | Mijiza's Blog"
• ---"Ethiopia's Cross-Shaped Church Carved out of Unbroken Stone"
• ---"Lalibela, Ethiopa, Rock-Hewn Churches — World Archaeology" (
• ---"Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela - UNESCO World Heritage Centre "
• ---"BBC News - Ethiopia's religious heritage of underground churches" ( )
• ---"Monolithic Churches; Lalibela, Ethiopia - Daily Travel Tips for Women" ( )
• ---"The Underground Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia | An Engineer's Excuse to Travel" (
• --------"Holes in the Ground are Different in Lalibela, Ethiopia - Adventures for Anyone"

When it comes to the aspects of Orential Orthodox culture, Ethiopian Orthodox culture (as well as Ethiopian people in general) are truly beautiful. At times, I have wondered who made them..and if anyone has any information on the issue, I'd love to investigate sometime. Also, if you've been there yourself, I'd love to hear what it was like for you. Blessings

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[Shane R]

I too want to visit Lalibela. I am attempting to save and plan for a visit to Egypt and Ethiopia in one great trip.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

I too want to visit Lalibela. I am attempting to save and plan for a visit to Egypt and Ethiopia in one great trip.

That'd be an amazing trip indeed to do both in the time available to do it. Although I don't have the funds to do so just yet, I'd love to see what comes up in the future..

In Focus: The Lalibela Churches

Truthfully, if I may say, I had been processing something that was on my mind and thought I needed to share it........and my apologies in advance, as it's a bit detailed (since I wanted to be as comprehensive as possible), but I pray it really blesses somehow.

When I considered the way that others chose to be on journey to seek the Lord/join others to worship like with Lalibela, part of me was reminded of the following scripture:

Psalm 84:6-8 / Psalm 84

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.[a]
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield,[c] O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.​

Psalm 84 is a “psalm of pilgrimage”. Every year crowds would flock to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles and they would make the journey from every part of the territories occupied by Israel. They would make their pilgrimage to the Holy City to worship at the Temple. The Hebrews were required to go to Jerusalem three times each year to celebrate Passover, Pentecost and Feast of Tabernacle. But for the psalmist, he was either on his way or he is unable to go to Jerusalem. This Psalm expresses the yearnings and the prayers of a pilgrim approaching the dwelling place of God in Jerusalem. ..as his entire being yearns for the courts of God; his soul, his heart and his flesh "cry out for the living God."

The pilgrimage to the temple passed through the barren Valley of Baca. No specific valley has been identified with Baca (even though suggestions have been made)....but because Baca can mean "weeping," it may have been a symbolic reference to the times of struggles and tears through which people must pass on their way to meet God. Something I remember learning years ago was that growing strong in God's presence is often preceded by a journey through barren places in our lives....and the person who loves to spend time with God will see his or her adversity as an opportunity to re-experience God's faithfulness.

And thank goodness that the Lord has not called us on pilgrimage alone - as there are many others whose hearts the Lord has worked on to desire to be in His House and with HIS People ..together in journeying with Him. For believers, what happens in their fellowships is a microcosm of what the Lord does around the world - for He knits others together who help each other walk together after the Lord. And it has really been on my mind that what we do is a big way of helping others on that journey.

Others may be going through all Hell in their lives and feeling like giving up - but in serving, we're in the position to help them see why they should not give up on the journey the Lord has called them to in Him. In every act of service, from offering words of encouragement when they bring things up to sharing our own hearts in what the Lord has shown us in our struggles/what we learn in Holy Scripture to simply praying for them as we seek to serve them in love like Jesus did with his own disciples (John 13).

With pilgrims, something I got to find out recently was that the roads leading towards Zion were dangerous - with others having to often travel in groups/caravans in order to be protected. And when it came to traveling the roads they were on/going up to a festival: the pilgrim-high-roads with their separate halting-places (stations) were constantly present to the mind of such persons. The stations other pilgrims stopped on were just as important as the destination itself - and pilgrims traversed joyfully the road to the great assembly, .....finding refreshment even in the dreariest part of the road.

For around things like a well men meet and converse cheerfully, being refreshed after their journey (just like a marathon where they have rest points for others to drink water and be encouraged further), so even in tears, or any other dreary part, the pilgrims find solace in brotherly communion and in anticipation of the general assembly that is to come with its joys unspeakable.

And in many ways, what happens with believers in action during meeting is a matter of being a "stopping station" for other pilgrims to rest up and know how to get to where they need to be.

In serving , we get to be like tour-guides who help them see what Heaven is going to be like when it comes to the overwhelming love of the Lord and believers serving each other - and in that process, we help take them alongside us to the Lord....seeking him and looking forward to what we'll have in Him one day.

And in having excitement whenever we serve, it's cool since it's just one more way for us to bring others to the Lord's place...

Psalm 122

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.​

Going to God's house and helping people get there was always meant to be a delight. As a pilgrim attending one of the three great religious festivals, the psalmist rejoiced to worship with God's people in God's House - and I'm glad that we have the same opportunity to do so together for others on the weekend. Those who have overcome have the right to enter the gates of the eternal city (Revelation 22:14) - the Heavenly city that waits for us (Hebrews 13:13-15 / Hebrews 13; 2 Corinthians 4:17-5:1). And while we are citizens of heaven, we're pilgrims here. Our hearts are with that city and our citizenship is there and we act and speak in this world as pilgrims, our residence is there. (Philippians 3:20,21)....and as we serve others, we help them to reach their destination of being a Pillar in the Temple of God ( Revelation 3:12 )...

I hope what I shared was encouraging in some kind of way. Seeing what happens with the people in the Rock Churches of Ethiopia and how they (including the Ethiopian Monks as well as the women seeking the Lord actively) journey in the natural, I so appreciate how they have sought to emulate what happens in the spiritual in a very physical way. ....and it really has me processing.

 

[BlindDidymus]

Does not tradition say that men would hew them out in the day and angels would hew them out in the night as they were being made?

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Thankful that I was finally blessed to go the week of June 14th to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as I've been planning. Went early in the morning with my priest/OO family - as the Abba of the Ethiopian parish ended up meeting with my priest at work and hit it off...and it was beautiful seeing their service. The iconography was amazing - in addition to the use of drums for the service and clapping patterns we did for music. The entire service was in Ethiopian, of course, so we didn't get to understand what was said - but it was all good since we were present there/aware of what was happening.

The chanting was intense yet beautiful, as well as the dress that everyone had (Shama and kuta, gauze-like white fabrics). It felt like heaven when seeing everyone bowing down during certain times in the liturgy (as well as standing for as long as they did ) and dressed in their white robes like the saints in heaven ( Revelation 4:3-5 /Revelation 7:8-10 /Revelation 7:13-15 Revelation 7 ). I couldn't help but appreciate the patterns/designs I saw with the women especially - as they all were unique yet uniform at the same time....and it was wonderful when the children were being baptized - one of the first events during the service.

The Youth - who were truly amazing and some of the best examples of young minds hungry to seek the Lord - also spoke during the service..and hearing of their Bible studies was refreshing, as well as the ways they were involved in the community. For others saying you have to have a church with A LOT of stuff in order to be successful in connecting young adults with Christ, it's always a blessing when seeing that all you need is people willing to pour into hungry minds and give guidance for appreciating ancient truth because of its relevance for today. As a Youth Worker, I was glad for the experience...

The Abba present (as the Bishop was absent that day) - although he speak in native tongue - said in the service that he'd explain later....and I was amazed at how his body language/vocal styles (even when I didn't understand) were very vibrant - like he was preaching with enthusiasm...for he smiled a lot as he held the microphone and I was wishing I could've understood him word for word. At lunch, he chose to explain later on what the sermon was on (specifically, John 21 where Peter was asked by Jesus "Peter, do you love me"...) - and it was so cool hearing his heart. It was such a joy for him to have us there since they love visitors/others supporting what they do....and I enjoyed the community in how they worked with each other/sought to reach out to the local Ethiopian community. It was neat seeing the Abba so excited talking to my priest and kept saying "So amazing seeing Jews who are Christians/loving the Lord!!" and saying how much they valued Jewish believers as well as those appreciating Judaic customs - and it was cool to see my priest note to them "That's cause we're Brothers" (i.e. Ethiopians and Jews, as well as fellow OOs).

The lunch time was amazing - seeing that another one of the leaders noted how the lunch time was considered an extension of the service - and their service was amazing. Love Ethiopian food - as Injera (with lamb or chicken) is amongst my favorites.


Seeing that they invited us to come back soon (on St. Gabriel Day), planning on going back to visit later on and looking forward to it

• Some pics taken from the lunch downstairs:

• And for the actual sanctuary:

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Does not tradition say that men would hew them out in the day and angels would hew them out in the night as they were being made?

Indeed...

 

[Gxg (G²)]

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[Brother Bread]

Wow I love the different cultures of the faithful !!!!

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Wow I love the different cultures of the faithful !!!!

Right there with ya, Bruh - God is so faithful in the manner that he redeems/restores and utilizes cultures for HIS Glory...

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Wow I love the different cultures of the faithful !!!!

For a good review/study on the issue, one can go here:

Excerpts from the Anaphora of The Apostles in English and Geez (Ethiopian Rite) - YouTube


"The Ethiopian Orthodox Liturgy: A Bird's Eye View" by Rev. Dr. Mebratu Kiros Gebru - YouTube

God is so faithful...

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

I'd really love to get there, too, as well as the Lake Tana region, Gondar, and Aksum. Would love to do the whole northern loop, really.

Just need to figure out how to do it when I've got a wife who can't go certain places.