Legend goes it took 24 years to build the 11 churches, in daylight by King Lalibela’s men and at nightfall by the angels. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, following the Julian calendar, celebrates Christmas, or Genna, on January 7. The advent weeks witness throngs of pilgrims on the streets of Lalibela barefooted and wrapped in their white cotton netelas. Over the days, strangers turn into friends as the white netelas take on the hues of the hard mountain road. Abuna Ammanuel (Father Immanuel ) had this to say, standing outside Ben Giorgio’s church: “The long road to faith is always under construction.

Source: The Hindu February 16, 2019 18:33 UTC