Portrait of a Pilgrim

Portrait of a Pilgrim Carrying walking sticks and crosses, sometimes barefoot and swathed in white fabrics, sleeping on the ground under the stars, often shepherding livestock, tens of thousands of Ethiopian Christians pilgrimage to Lalibela for Orthodox Christmas to pray and receive blessings inside eleven dusty, dimly-lit, rock-hewn monolithic churches carved over eight centuries ago from volcanic earth. The pilgrims wait in massive lines for hours to emotionally bow before altars, crossing themselves in the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Kissing the cross of a priest in each of Lalibela’s churches, they offer their gifts, their love, and their deep gratitude to God in hopes of blessings of health, wealth, fertility, and peace. On Orthodox Christmas Eve, the devoted pilgrims, individually and collectively, read sacred scriptures by candlelight all night long while huddled together outside of the churches until Orthodox Christmas Day celebrations begin. Portrait of a Pilgrim honors the contemplative, prayerful moments that precede Orthodox Christmas Day in Lalibela.