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The churches and tunnels are located at Lalibela, in northern Ethiopia. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News
Thousands of pilgrims preparing to visit “New Jerusalem”
THIS remarkable stone is impossible to see until you’re right on top of it. The religious site is not where you’d expect.
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The ancient religious site provided a safe place for Christians to pray as Islam spread through the Middle East and Northern Africa. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News
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A pilgrim reads a Bible outside one of the 11 churches at Lalibela. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News
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The House of St George is the most famous of the churches. Visitors must climb down stone steps and enter through a tunnel. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News
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An estimated 20,000 faithful make a pilgrimage each January. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News
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According to the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar, Christmas is at the start of the year. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News
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Priests wait inside the prayer room at the House of St George. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News
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It took just 23 years for Christians to carve the churches out of volcanic red rock. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News
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The monolithic cave churches are sometimes known as “New Jerusalem”. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News
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A priest holds a manuscript depicting Jesus and St George, among other religious figures. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News
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The intricate system includes statues, windows, catacombs and hermit caves. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News
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Priests sit in ceremonial robes to bless thousands of pilgrims who flock to the ancient site. Picture: Tariq Zaidi / Caters News