The journey of the faithful

A recent e-mail from my ‘Annavru’ contained a nugget from BBC about a baptism ceremony in Ethiopia, where the villagers climb the sheer sandstone cliffs in Tigary region of Ethiopia to reach the Abuna Yemata Guh Church. This monolithic Church cut out of rock is located high in the mountain within a cliff face, at a height of 2500 meters, and is dedicated to Abuna Yemata, one of the nine saints who came from Syria to the kingdom of Aksum in present-day Ethiopia. To reach this ‘Church in the sky’, one must traverse steep sandstone pinnacles, and cross the gap between the cliffs with a 200-meter drop down below. The final stretch to the inner sanctum involves walking along a narrow-slanted ledge. Some feel the journey mimics the pathway to heaven thereby bringing the flock closer to God.

The Ethiopian Church encourages parents to baptize male children on the 40th day of their birth. Although newer Churches have been built in the plains, the allure of being closer to God while seeking the blessings for the boy brings people to this relic of a Church. The first section to reach the Church is a tough 10-meter vertical climb. There are only tiny indentations in the smooth rock face to serve as hand and footholds. A slip here would result in certain death and perhaps reach God’s kingdom instantly. The priest of the Church makes the climb every day without using any rope. He says “The route is blessed. Not one has ever died thanks to the protection offered by our patron saint.”

Faith is the core of their lives. Religious practices are not viewed as burdensome obligations but free and purposeful commitments. This faith propels even the young mother to climb up bare feet with her 40-day old boy strapped on to her back to seek the blessings through baptism. After the service, the descent begins which is no less perilous.

Yet when the weather is good and everyone made it safe, the jubilation is incomparable.

The spiritual fulfilment washes off all life’s travails and there descends a great peace of mind. This perhaps makes them ready to take on life with numerous challenges.