Ethiopia: lifting the mystery on rock churches 'built by angels'

AFP ^ | May 31, 2009 | Emmanuel Goujon

[decimon]

The ancient mystery shrouding Lalibela, Ethiopia's revered medieval rock-hewn churches, could be lifted by a group of French researchers given the go-ahead for the first comprehensive study of this world heritage site legend says was "built by angels".

The team will have full access to the network of 10 Orthodox chapels chiseled out of volcanic rock -- some standing 15 metres (42 feet) high -- in the mountainous heart of Ethiopia.

Local lore holds they were built in less than 25 years by their namesake, the 13th-century King Lalibela, with the help of angels after God ordered him to erect a "New Jerusalem".

[decimon]

Angel digs ping.

[decimon]

[Ladycalif]

Ping for later

[PetroniusMaximus]

They are kind of pretty.

[silverleaf]

Gorgeous.

But- how long before a mosque is built atop the site?

[Humal]

Thanks for the pictures; they are unique. I’ve never heard of this place.

[decimon]

But- how long before a mosque is built atop the site?

They went there to escape and defend from the expansion of Islam. It worked.

But that was then and this is now so you may be right.

[Humal]

Here is a site that tells more about the history of the site and gives more pictures.

http://www.ethiopiantreasures.toucansurf.com/pages/lalibela.htm

It says the churches “In Lalibela there are 11 churches cut out of solid red volcanic rock, which are constructed to represent Jerusalem.” I wonder why “11 churches” instead of 12 to represent the 12 tribes of Israel?

[decimon]

I wonder why “11 churches” instead of 12 to represent the 12 tribes of Israel?

United Angel Workers (UAW). The new work rules mandated double time for night work. Church building became cost prohibitive so the project couldn't be completed.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> “During the day the king would work with Ethiopian artisans and at night he would ‘be helped by angels’. Some even cite a key role by the Knights Templar,” she said, referring to one of the key Western Christian military orders of the Middle Ages.

Templar PING

Yes, we built these mysterious buildings, too.

[SunkenCiv]

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[BruceysMom]

I’m probably very wrong here, but in the dim recesses of my age rattled brain I think that there are 11 mountains around Jerusalem.

[decimon]

There may have been a topic about this, but it's been ages.

Ages, eh?

Maybe what the Frenchies come up with will be good.

[NYer]

Ping!

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Mosques? Never! Oil money fuels Moslum advances, Once the money runs out the Islamic people will just go back to killing each other. Ethiopia IS Christian and will be up to the day when Jesus returns.

[null and void]

Ethiopia IS Christian and will be up to the day when Jesus returns.

Fifty years ago one would have said the exact same thing about the good ol' US of A.

[Kolokotronis]

One of our parishioners is from near this place. He says he and I will go there someday. The churches have carved Maltese crosses in them.

There is a book about Ethiopia and the Ark of the Covenant (which is likely there in a monastery) which has a section on these churches. I recommend the book. Here’s a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Sign-Seal-Quest-Lost-Covenant/dp/0671865412/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243901115&sr=8-6

[Pelham]

Axum.

[Kolokotronis]

Here's where they say the Ark is kept: