The Priest and the Icon
Ethiopia 2013
It wasn’t the Epiphany when I shot this priest reading his prayerbook in one of the ancient stone churches of Lalibela. Today, January 6, is Epiphany, the day that commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the Infant Jesus. I got carried away with alliteration as I wrote the title and I liked the idea of celebrating the Epiphany in Ethiopia, don’t you?
There were priests passing the time in all the churches I visited that day in Lalibela. Partly they were there to answer questions or hear a confession but I think mainly to take donations when a photographer such as I asked for a photo. Sometimes I’d light a candle and that meant another donation. Then there was the boy who followed me and tied and untied my shoes as I entered and exited the churches. I was generous to the boy: you’d be, too, if a young man took your arm when you climbed the uneven steps. I didn’t need him, but his hand on my arm was endearing. Plus there was my regular guide who earned the big bucks and who took it on himself to spread my wealth, such as it was, to as many as possible.
It turns out that like the Wise Men, I brought gifts as well.