‘Marks of Devotion’ explores Orthodox Christian practices in Ethiopia. Although the country is modernising rapidly, ancient traditions remain strong, particularly in the holy city of Lalibela and the Tigray region, where ancient churches provide shelter and spiritual solace for thousands of pilgrims, monks and priests.
Priest Aregawi Wolde Mariam looks down at a dry river valley below an ancient church in Tigray, the heartland of Orthodox Christianity in Ethiopia. A perilous, vertical ascent with a sheer drop of hundreds of meters takes visitors to the entrance after several hours climbing. Local people however, both young and old, ascend with ease, instinctively reaching the foot- holds molded by steps of pilgrims for thousands of years. Tigray’s rocky cliffs are dotted with hundreds of cave churches like this, hand carved in around the 6th century AD.
