World’s Least Accessible Place of Worship | BBC Earth Explore

Popularly known as the “church in the sky”, Abuna Yemata Guh is situated almost 8,460 feet high. Join comedian Romesh Ranganathan as he attempts to access this spectacular monastery.

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[@BBCEarthExplore]

What did you think of Ethiopia's stunning Abuna Yemata Guh church? Is it on your bucket list?

[@SilverTongue66]

Now it is...

[@cozmoos]

It has been for awhile, what rout did you take to get there?

[@poppop.ehrmantraut]

I wanted to burpe

[@skypiratecaptain]

Is it orthodox or Catholic?

[@miloelite]

@@BBCEarthExplore How do I get there? Recommendations?

[@justjane2070]

Love the padlock on the door. Stops all those random passing thieves !

[@optimism-personified]

😂😂😂

[@bertoldgerrychannel]

@@justjane2070 especially the random-passing-thieves who probably certified for rock climbing and couldn't make it up and down alone without additional help from at least two other random crews - prolly perform at night, climbing with minimum light. Padlock is essential 😅

[@bubbles190]

Don't underestimate somebodys resolve to destroy something beautiful, especially when religion is involved

[@Only1omer]

@@bubbles190realest comment

[@cosmicbricks3339]

Fr

[@Nate__]

This is how my grandparents explained going to school

[@marcusaurelius4516]

Going to church maybe

[@honeybunch5765]

😂😂😂😂

[@justhereforthecomments1324]

I’m screeeeaaming 😂😂😂😂

[@michellesandri5204]

You bet

[@dronespace]

😂 ​@@justhereforthecomments1324

[@Carlos-bp1vp]

It's the best place of worship because once you arrive, you thank god you didn't die on the way up

[@pinalimon]

And you pray not to die on the way down

[@masquarra]

Contemplate joining and staying so as to not deal with that experience again

[@summerwinterfall5244]

😂😂😂

[@bertoldgerrychannel]

The church makes the worshipper closer to heaven in every way possible.

[@markimusmaximus7870]

Especially if they fall

[@learningearning8385]

Praying all the way up.. and back down 😂

[@Asian200iq]

Lol 😂

[@AlexejSvirid]

"So, you're stating that you ain't prostitute, but the faithful wife of anonymous trinity of the Husband? I'm so sorry about that unfortunate misunderstanding, ma'am..." The God sees and remembers everything then there will be the Judgment. Exodus 20: 14: "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Here is Christ's question, Mathew 15: 3: "But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" Malachi 2: 1-4: "And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith Jehovah of hosts, then will I send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your seed, and will spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your feasts; and ye shall be taken away with it. And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant may be with Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts." (ASV) A women say "the Husband has no name". Another ones say "the Husband has many names". Some of women "love the Husband in all his manifestations" like: neighbour, taxi driver, boss, and so forth. Some women in a Husband-fearing way call him "H-D"... But, all of those prostitutes say "the Husband is the only". Their prostitution has created another women saying "there is no Husband at all". Then they even talk about "trinity of the Husband" and they are not against "the Son taking the Husband's place". In the same way religious prostitutes try to hide their disgusting fornication with different gods. Furthermore, a correct pronunciation of the Name is unknown now. This is the “loyalty” of traitors! Here is the God's word spoken through Moses, Deuteronomy 11: 16-17: "Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; And then the LORD's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you." So, the God says there are other gods, but blind leaders of blind lead people into trap. Names of an idols/false gods are well known: Zeus, Rempha/Chiun, Aurora, Baal, Moloch and many others. "Jesus" means "Jehovah is salvation". This is the name of Christ real christians are hated for. "HalleluJah" means "Praze Jah" (Jehovah). Psalm 83: 18: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." (KJV) The problem is Devil runs the world. He is liar and murderer. This is the reason why liars feel so good while righteous people are persecuted. That's why we've got the Gospel about the God's kingdom. Jehovah would put everything in order. He has anointed the king, Jesus Christ. The dead will be resurected and we'll meet our beloved ones again! :-)

[@cosmicbricks3339]

@@AlexejSvirid😂

[@JJ-fo5tn]

Was I the only one who started laughing when he said “ Mike was lying “ that caught me off guard 😂😂😂😂😂 Mike definitely was lying talking about the beginning is the worst part

[@panda4247]

well... a narrow ledge in that height with no rope is worse than vertical climb with a rope imho...

[@LORDOFGLOOP]

He telegraphed it so openly that it would have been a subversion of expectations had he not.

[@MakeSomeNoisePlaylists]

typical Romesh joke

[@louissimms]

I can only imagine how stunning and peaceful that must be. I want to go. But genuinely, how? Who looked up and thought.... Yup! Right there

[@jwilson544]

Someone who wanted to be left tf alone

[@jaredknapp8886]

Wack shacks are hard to come by.

[@danielchilton5400]

A people oppressed because of their religious beliefs.

[@thehobo00]

Christians were often persecuted in antiquity, so maybe this was a place so hard to get to that they were left alone to pray

[@juguez1]

No! Please don't go!!! Tourism destroys everything it touches!!! Leave the place in peace!

[@Mordian_57]

I expected an old medieval knight who offers him to drink from a selection of chalices.

[@Sheriden.]

You have chosen……..wisely

[@rsuman]

Me too 🤣

[@No_jews_allowed]

It’s not a bar you bulshevik !

[@zigwil153]

just as real.... jus sayin

[@smileydog5941]

@@zigwil153 You have chosen... poorly

[@WhoIsCalli]

I have climbed up and seen this church. We weren’t given ropes 😂 but you do climb bare foot for religious purposes. It’s absolutely mind blowing and watching this brought back that feeling 😅 I remember sitting in the church looking up at the ceiling in awe.. then remembering that I had to climb back down. Ethiopia is a beautiful country and I highly recommend anyone to travel there to see for yourself

[@buddyholly4672]

Omg i was wondering why he was barefoot

[@miloelite]

Doesn’t look easy to get to. How do you recommend going about a visit?

[@WhoIsCalli]

@@miloelite well I first went to Lalibela and spent a few days there visiting the churches. Then headed up to Axum and I’d say base yourself from there to do a trip out to Abuna Yemata. You’ll be able to arrange for someone to take you from Axum quite happily

[@AlexofZippo]

LOL, there’s always a dismount, huh? Sounds like a truly amazing experience!

[@amdomGebregziabhear-kk4oc]

This is my home and we don't need ropes to climb ❤

[@sanchojulianimallach9155]

This is the 'Abune Yemata Church' in Ethiopia. You're welcome

[@ValdemarDeMatos]

Thank you. 🙌 I suppose nowadays nobody cares, most people just slides through nice videos with amazing things from around the world and then move on…

[@marshmelows]

Thank you!! It totally pisses me off how "journalists" do these storeis and then go on without mentioning where it is happening....

[@bolynn9668]

@@marshmelowsit IS mentioned at around 2:23

[@JogaBonitofootball]

@@marshmelowswith all due respect, he’s a comedian. I agree though. Pissed me off it wasn’t captioned on screen

[@tc98826]

It says that in the description

[@VisualPast]

Amazing church. Visited in Dec-2017. The accent (without ropes) was ok; but coming back down was terrifying ... no choice but to look down!

[@BBCEarthExplore]

Wow, bet that was an incredible experience!

[@abrahamissac5938]

gotta have good strong gripping shoes. its tougher descending down then up.

[@miloelite]

What is the best way going about a visit?

[@benm1414]

​@@miloeliteconvert

[@VisualPast]

​@@miloeliteFind a trustworthy local guide. I have a contact that may be able to help.

[@ernesthader1109]

Imagine climbing up there and finding the place vandalized with grafitti. That alone makes the padlock worth it. Nobody's going up there without the caretaker's knowlege.

[@Alarix246]

Or finding two young lefties glued to the wall...

[@bungalo50]

Ethiopia has such incredible landscape

[@honeybunch5765]

One country in Africa I still want to see.

[@sameaston9587]

I didn't know such mountains existed outside of the Americas. If someone told me this was filmed in Arizona, silly me would believe them.

[@andrejohnson6731]

Imagine getting to the top realizing you forgot your bible 😂

[@vishwajit9290]

😂

[@RocLobo358]

You don't need it at that point

[@G_____]

The journey is your Bible

[@cosmicbricks3339]

Lol

[@riarose1302]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@andrewst9797]

That was the scenic route, the service entrance is around the back.

[@NoremakSeggob]

lol, completely missed the elevator

[@Nerfherder-oo7iv]

Ethiopia is one of the first countries Christianity flourished in. So much early church history there.

[@JJKY3958]

Now over run by Somalis

[@abbc2105]

You know you believe in God, when you’re willing to do that climb on a regular basis.

[@CrisOnTheInternet]

I can't even fathom the idea of going once.

[@HAHAd2]

Little do they know…

[@kittycat8222]

@@HAHAd2…that you don’t need to climb to reach God. I know right. Looks like Byzentine Empire art. Maybe go check it out. 1000 years of worship documented.

[@LisaAnn777]

Fanatics do all kinds of pointless things.

[@calebadeleye]

That is not true, you don't need to go that length anymore except they are truly not worship God, perhaps there is something else they do there.

[@Balanceoftime]

Whoever helped him into that harness didn't even connect it together correctly. Always comforting to see.

[@gregd1218]

I need to believe that 1500 years of erosion must have made the climb much harder than it was at first. How many were trying to go to church and ended up in heaven?

[@farmergiles1065]

It was hard enough to get to that it provided a place of safety for worship. But get real. It's we moderns who are weak and lack motivation or determination. We demand that everything be easy. For millennia, people understood that life was hard, and that was an accepted fact. Then they dealt with it.

[@vegasmade777]

​@@farmergiles1065lol

[@Kiyoone]

Nah, the fall must be hard, so they end up in hell

[@farmergiles1065]

@@Kiyoone God is the judge. Do you seek to replace Him?

[@radders6569]

​@@farmergiles1065How do you know that's true?

[@orchardhouse9241]

This church is beautiful. Greetings from an Antiochian Orthodox Christian in the US! God bless your congregation!

[@vnendux121]

0:10 😂😂😂why is he lying?😂😂😂

[@haraya_manawari]

what will always be more impressive are the individuals who made the first climb and carved out the place

[@Escapechris24]

You honestly could have told me this was Utah and I would have believed you.

[@5lanediver]

other than the art being being nearly untouched for centuries…a lot of the petroglyphs in utah have been messed up

[@theviniso]

@@5lanediver That's sad to hear

[@5lanediver]

@@theviniso very. some are still pristine…some have had decades of people scratching or graffitiing over them

[@kristinapaxton9686]

Mike's job interviewer: "So part of being a guide is being able to lie to comfort your client....can you do that?" MIke: "YES"

[@RonnieJamesOsbourne]

0:22 That "Mike was lying" got me 😂

[@Movieclip.s589]

Respect to the cameraman 🫡 for recording in that steep mountain or plateau

[@sammarciano7030]

2:15 I was REALLY hoping for Alex Horne to show up and hand him sealed letter for a task.

[@derekporter7548]

I definitely was not ready for a taskmaster reference on this video 😂 would've been epic tho!

[@Weaselg83]

This is now taking worship to new heights

[@sdalt001]

You reached a little too high with that comment.

[@NameRealperson]

2:20 the padlock on the door cracks me up

[@NatarajanAV]

What about a guy who risked his life to climb there only to find its locked with that Padlock 😢

[@curoseba5363]

Can you imagine going through that effort and find the entrance locked? 🙄

[@NameRealperson]

@@NatarajanAV the guy who has the key oversleeps and arrives half an hour late to find the entire congregation on that ledge, very unhappy with him

[@NatarajanAV]

@@NameRealperson 😅😅

[@dragskcinnay3184]

​@@NameRealperson 😂😂😂 I'm not sure it would actually be closed everyday, it might be there just in case the church needs to be closed for a period of time for some reason But hey, I don't know, maybe they _do_ close it every time...

[@gtkajita]

Never had the experience of sweaty palms during a BBC video before. It made me think of how people get down from there. Wow. Amazing place. Thank you for sharing

[@jupiterplanet1316]

This incredible church is found in Tigray region of Ethiopia 🇪🇹

[@CrowSkeleton]

What exquisitely preserved frescoes, and what a privelege to get up there! I feel like over the centuries they could've added some steps up the very last bit, but probably every single priest of the place has decided that his sucessor shouldn't miss out on either the enforced excersise or the years of meditation/devotional effort.

[@4s-ter]

I can’t imagine trying to make that climb while carrying a casserole dish for the potluck after worship.

[@MonochromaticBlues]

3:53 these guys look so ancient

[@teressacooks7928]

"Be honest with me after this how much worse does it go"? " After you pass this bit, than it's ALL OVER"! True words have never been spoken😢

[@ElizabethHephzebahMills]

The Elders continue to walk. To Church no tools. Only Strength 💥💥💥

[@carllagerlof9019]

Its really cool to see all of the rocks smoothed out from the people climbing there for centuries

[@Set666Abominae]

2:19 I love how there’s a padlock on the entrance, as if this place didn’t have enough natural security.

[@mattropolis99]

Who cares about the narrator - the cameraman who brought up all the equipment and did the filming is the real hero

[@dee319indranilchakraborty6]

0:41 Bro is a chameleon at this point.. 💀🤣

[@gregzoller9003]

I can’t imagine the climb up. I REALLY can’t imagine the climb down. 😮

[@charleslucas2657]

L'histoire, la spiritualité s'associent bien à la splendeur du paysage

[@louie99999]

The lightbulb over the padlock is more impressive!!

[@Weirdkauz]

Have I ever seen Romesh impressed before? Like, at all? I don't remember. Here, he's in awe, and rightfully so.

[@DAKESIS17]

hats off to the Orthodox brothers!

[@Jenvlogs404]

Ethiopia is one of the most ancient and unique places and definition of exotic, every I met is so friendly too, beautifuI features, colorfuI language and attire, reminds me of lndia.

[@villedocvalle]

@2:54 no one is going to mention the lizard person under the horse!?

[@John858_]

Is it a snake man or rat man?

[@magdalena_dewinter]

Yeah I wonder why a Christian church would have imagery of a snake beneath a bunch of people worshipping, it’s not like there’s a huge story in Christianity revolving around an evil snake that tempted the first people.

[@EvonneLindiwe]

@@magdalena_dewinterthere are also skulls and dragons in churches here in England…

[@EbonySaints]

I've seen this specific church in another video before when I was on an Ethiopia binge, but it's nice to see the beeb cover it. Frankly, the icons are adorable as all heck. The simplicity compared to Western depictions of the Gospels is very enlightening.

[@Yusufu-92]

Thanks to all the BBC team for sharing with us this very interesting video.

[@Manifest-888-11]

Wow, wow, wow!!! Majestic. Can feel the energy through this clip. Amazing.

[@BongChakraborty]

Unbelievable... Beautiful...❤ You can find these type of places in every region of India. Secret Worshipping Places with Specific Deity.

[@0li_vi_er]

1:07 Good job Romesh, you're a big boy!

[@LuthienTenor]

Mad props to the camera men, stunning work 👏🏻

[@sojourner.]

BBC should release audio used in videos such as this, I'd listen to it on repeat lol

[@VMChannel588]

This church only for the most faithful ones 😊😊

[@daviddawson4091]

I would've love to see the old-timers he thanked, going up and down. Undoubtedly impressive.

[@daemonervosa]

The value of reaching the mountaintop is in the journey

[@FloraNovax3]

That’s absolutely stunning

[@garryferrington811]

That is taking worship to a new level. 😳

[@chinmaypandit9875]

Now that's a test of devotion.

[@elfarcherdv]

Lmao didn't expect Romesh to get 5 points in that task

[@94462]

Gives me Tom Cruise Mission Impossible intro vibes lol 😂

[@QUEEN-df1mc]

Religions never cease to amaze me.

[@oOblackeaglleOo]

Wow if I lived there I’d go so often. How beautiful

[@bhawana5342]

Beautiful✨ Incredible

[@JuanRodriguez-qr3yq]

Beautiful

[@lexxie225]

Thanks sir, for risking your life for this less then 5 minute clip😅

[@April-yf5gl]

I had to pause this video after I heard “Mike was lying”😂😂😂😂

[@haruspex1-50]

We should cherish buildings like this. There are those out there who deem even the beautiful paintings within this church to be sinful and therefore should either be defaced or destroyed due to the fact it doesn’t align with their worldview. I hope for a world where people such as that will one day have a change of heart

[@hopemanley4358]

Beyond the height and struggle to climb is the gaze of the happy, welcoming worshippers.

[@crazysunshyne]

Real life Spirit Temple like ocarina of time, amazing

[@tubezeronine]

A lack of a good panoramic view of the chapel/church interior, instead of just showing details of the wall paintings.

[@kingjoe3rd]

Ethiopia has some of the most amazing churches in the world.

[@AK.J3]

Nice of you to visit Frightening yet enlightening Baptist

[@zigwil153]

It's like climbing K2 to read L. Ron Hubbard's personal copy of Dianetics.

[@MariaAmeliaArancetRuda]

Increíble. Y yo tengo fiaca de caminar dos cuadras para ir a misa. ¡Perdón, Señor!

[@grovve8960]

What an amazing place!

[@kittycat8222]

Not one person thought about it being a melted cathedral. Praise Yah.

[@x8em]

That’s incredible

[@marionschmidt8031]

Breathtaking

[@Giannis27272]

Orthodoxy is beautiful! ☦️

[@biasparmadi1351]

mustve built it in creative mode, flying definitely helped

[@TheDapperLad]

Bro hiking like he's headed to the The Throat of the World

[@Hoffa_]

No one gonna talk about that lizard person painting under the horse?

[@yul498]

You have to be a strong believer to get this place. In my city we have thousands churchs next to apartments and most of them stay empty.

[@benyamba]

Mike is the best tour guide ever

[@KenishiroMashiba]

Imagine making a 5 minute video talking about an incredible place… and not even telling your viewers in which country it is 😂😂😂

[@Franck.44]

La montée est incroyable 😮... Je n'imagine pas la descente 😅

[@Sturnburn772]

How blessed we are to have freedom of worship in the USA.

[@georgeplagianos6487]

But look at our churches in the US they become lazy fat and not thankful for this freedom. I fear it makes people close their minds and say just outsiders you're not welcome because you at different . And if by grace of God you're accepted in you might be made so uncomfortable because they are so uncomfortable being next to you.. I don't know this is how I feel when I enter my own Orthodox Church sometimes once they know I'm gay. Here in Brooklyn, nyc

[@gwang3103]

The people who first cut out this place of worship must have been granted the power of levitation.

[@PrincessPebbles0_0]

Saying “piss off” while climbing a holy site… real classy

[@jonjonlannen]

Absolutely stunning.

[@liamnguyen2819]

That would be a secret place that you would uncover exploring in an open world of an RPG.

[@NoQuestionsAskedd]

This needs more views and I'll have to share this to the weirdos like BHI

[@R3TR0J4N]

This reminds me of sacrifical walks, its like you offer your hardships and sweat to make your prayersbe heard

[@sharongillesp]

Could waters, at one time, have made this more accessible by boat?

[@jorgemtds]

If someone told me about it, I wouldn't have believed it!

[@RAYANDERS-w4t]

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ሀይሚUTB5555]

Omg 😳😳😳 where this church God bless you 💟🙏

[@sarahporter9541]

I really do wish these visitors had more respect of this place. Little interaction between the caregivers/priests there. And feels like these were just gawky tourists. Chalk on up