Debre Libanos

These are priests outside the cave of Tekla Haimanot, one of Ethiopia's revered saints. He lived in the 1200's. He founded a monastery near Debre Libanos. I visited the church near there today, built in Haile Selassie's time.

The original monastery was destroyed in wars between Christians and Muslims.

Haimanot is said to have stood on one leg, in the cave, for seven years. One website reports that he is the only human to be given wings. It also states that one of his legs fell off, and the monks took it and covered it.

The entrance to the cave is behind the priests, in the photo. I went in for a while. A priest turned the light on and we attempted to chat, but it was difficult because of the language barrier. Plastic water pails filled the small, damp space, I assume to catch the holy water as it dripped from the roof . It seemed a tough spot in which to stand for seven years, on one leg.