Debra Bizan

In the early thirteenth century, an Ethiopian Coptic monk named Filipos established a monastery high on the mountain above Nefasit and named it Debra Bizan. The monastery flourished and became quite wealthy and influential. By the time Filipos died more than 900 monks lived there. It has remained an influential religious center since its beginning.

The mountain, I call it Debra Bizan after the monastery, raises 2,700 feet (825 m) above the Nefasit. Its ridge stretches many miles to the north. Barely visible from below in a gap between the boulders at the top, orange and brown blotches identified the roofs and walls of Debra Bizan monastery. ...