New Rock-Hewn Churches of Ethiopia

Co-ordinates: 19 55 31 N 39 21 52 E

Location

The church is carved at the foot of a white sandstone cliff to the north of the old rock-hewn church of Maryam Korkor, from where it is visible and an easy 10 minute walk. Both churches require a steep 45 minute walk from the valley below, south of Megab.

Site Description

(by Tarn Philipp)

The church is in the early stage of excavation and resembles four individual cells with corresponding rectangular openings that form the facade. The separate cells are to be joined to create a substantial church, entered from the south. The early stage of this church means it presently lacks any architectural form. However, the workmanship to date and ambitious scale, suggest it will be an impressive church on completion.

During this visit the responsible craftsman was fasting for Lent and had been in ‘seclusion’ for close to a month, living alone in a carved cell to the east of the recent excavation. According to a local priest, the craftsman and hermit was a 37-year-old man from Addis Ababa who came to Maryam Korkor following a vision, in which Mary spoke to him and inspired him to do so. Until his recent death, purportedly by suicide, he was without identify papers and led an eremetical existence, rejected society, had long hair and ate ground sesame seeds. He began carving in August 2016, 8 months ago at the time of this visit, however excavation has been inconsistent; he did not work in January as there were many wedding ceremonies and he then stopped again in early March to fast for Lent. Reportedly four ‘helpers’ are paid 100 Birr a day at times and have contributed some 50 days of work each.