Kingdoms and Monuments of Afre Kh: Biete Ghiorgis – Church of Saint George, Lalibela (Ethiopia)

FEELNUBIA PRESENTS: Bete Giyorgi – The Church of St. George at Lalibela.

The Church of Saint George (also known as Bete Giyorgis) has been referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world,” and the most prominent of a group of eleven rock-hewn churches in Lalibela. It is the most well-known of the eleven monolithic Churches located in Ethiopia. Located in Lalibela, a city in the Amhara Region, the church was built in the 12th century, and carved out of stone. Cross-shaped, its dimensions are 25 meters by 25 meters by 30 meters and there is a small baptismal pool outside the church, which stands in an artificial trench.  According to Ethiopian cultural history, the church was built after King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty had a vision in which he was instructed by God to construct the church. The church was named after Saint George, the Saint who reportedly delivered God’s message to the King in the vision.

The churches are in two locations. Towards the north of river Jordan are: Biete Medhani Alem (House of the Saviour of the World), Biete Mariam (House of Mary), Biete Maskal (House of the Cross), Biete Denagel (House of Virgins), and Biete Golgotha Mikael (House of Golgotha Mikael). To the south of the Jordan river are, Biete Amanuel (House of Emmanuel), Biete Qeddus Mercoreus (House of St. Mercoreos), Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abbot Libanos), Biete Gabriel Raphael (House of Gabriel Raphael), and Biete Lehem (House of Holy Bread). The eleventh and most prominent of the churches is Biete Ghiorgis (House of St. George), is isolated from the others, but connected by a system of trenches. The interior of the churches are beautifully decorated with painted murals.

Bete Giyorgis (House of St. George) is the most stunning of all the eleven churches, situated apart from the others to the west. Biete Medhani Alem (House of the Saviour of the World) has five aisles, and is said to the largest monolithic church in the world. These exceptional churches are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and remain pilgrimage sites for members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and have been holy sites for Coptic Christians since the 12th century. All eleven churches are unique in artistry, and form. It is believed that the King of Lalibela set out to build the churches as worship sites in lieu of access to pilgrimages to Israel. The churches replicate different Christian pilgrimage sites in Israel, including the tombs of Christ, and Adam, as well as birthplace in the manger at Bethlehem. The churches are compelling evidence of the medieval civilization of Ethiopia, as well as the importance of the Christian faith in the region.

These 12th century structures have been damaged over time, with many of them filled with sand and vegetation for hundreds of years. The drainage ditches were filled up with earth for several centuries, before being cleared in the 20th century, and have been disrupted by seismic activity. This has resulted in a severe degradation of the monuments from water damage, and most of them are now considered to be in a critical condition.

The 11 medieval monolithic cave churches of this 12th-century ‘New Jerusalem’ are situated in a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia near a traditional village with circular-shaped dwellings. Lalibela is a high place of Ethiopian Christianity, which remains a place of pilgrimage and devotion.

Watch this story on 60 Minutes More @ Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela