New Rock-Hewn Churches of Ethiopia

Co-ordinates: 13° 51' 44" N, 39° 21' 1" E

Location:

The church lies south of Maryam Megdalawit and Maryam Korkor and is carved into the south face at the lower part of the mountain. The new church of Abba Garima Tsella replaces a nearby abandoned church by the same name. The latter was recorded by Plant, who noted the poor structural condition.

Church Description:

(by Tarn Philipp)

Abba Garima Tsella bears little resemblance to the great churches of Tigray. The church lacks sophistication, has an unusual layout and is almost circular in plan. The white linear marks of the workman’s tool are clearly visible against the ochre and orange sandstone within the church. The south façade is comprised of a single entrance with a rounded opening above. A small built shelter protrudes over the entrance and the built beta lehem is visible some twenty five metres to the east.

The church includes five slender freestanding columns. Three columns run north-south to distinguish the west bay, which incudes the south entrance. Another two columns continue east of the south column of the west bay. These columns follow the south wall to form a curved south ‘aisle’. The columns omit a base and capitals but are visibly wider at the bottom and top. The five columns are connected to one another by an arch to form an ‘L’ shape overhead. Four arches cross the west bays of the church, protruding ever so slightly from the curved ceiling. Three of these arches are sprung from the columns. The fourth is sprung from the crown of the arch between the central and southern column. The south ‘aisle’ includes a single arch, sprung from the west column. There are no pilasters on either of the walls.

A seven-armed protrusion, reminiscent of the sun, is found on the ceiling in the north east of the church. The protrusion is formed by seven arches, which merge in the centre of the bay to form a dome. An arch is sprung from each of the five columns and another two are sprung from the north east wall. A single cross is engraved on the arch of the east column. The surrounding columns and overhead protrusion mark the qeddest in the north east of the church. A small circular chamber extends east of the south ‘aisle’ to form the maqdas. The maqdas is raised by three steps and includes a rock-hewn manbara tabot. The tabot is consecrated to Abba Garima and was brought from the old church along with an old manuscript.

According to the key holder priest, the church was completed in 2009 (Gregorian Calendar). The excavation took three years and involved countless members of the local community. Despite the length of time since completion, there is an ambition to enlarge the maqdas and introduce relief carving, when funds allow.

Getting There:

Abba Garima Tsella is south of Maryam Megdalawit and found on the same road that runs to Angua. The church lies to the west of the road and is signposted near the footpath to Mika’el Angua, an impressive recently carved church. A five minute ascent from the roadside brings one to the church.