St. George’s Church…the Masterpiece of Lalibela’s Stone Churches
Lalibela, Ethiopia 2013
St. George’s Church was the last of the eleven stone churches built in Lalibela and is considered the most beautiful. No one knows how these marvels of architecture were constructed…in that way, they are similar to the pyramids. Archeologists have found small carved wooden tabernacles that some think are the “blueprints” for the churches, but no one knows for sure. Notice the figures of tourists on the right side of the photograph and you will have an idea of the size of the chasm and the church. How did they do it????
St. George’s Church: View from Inside the Excavation
The church is small inside. There are three sections: the primary nave where the iconostasis is found, plus two side areas with icons. Frescoes, carvings and painted icons decorate the ceilings and walls. Huge stone pillars support the massive weight of the rock roof. Yellow and green lichen grow on the pink rock exterior of the church and over the sides of the excavation. Niches carved into the walls of the surrounding rock once held mummies of monks and priests.
The floors are uneven. When I put my foot down on the carpet, my sock stuck to the carpet and my foot slipped sideways. I had to be so careful! I wished I had a free hand so I could use one of the ‘prayer sticks’ that were stacked in the corners of the church. These resemble a crutch, in that they are ‘T’ shaped and once tucked under your arm can support your weight during a service that lasts three hours or more. My guide, Melkamu, demonstrated the many ways a person could use the prayer stick…I think he would be able to fall asleep using one if he so desired.
The priest was always in residence…it was a holyday. He wore his robes and would, on request, go into the holy of holies to get his cross to pose for a photo.