Church of Abuna Yemata

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"It sits in the sky, impenetrable by any outsiders."

―Nibris, talking about the church.

The Church of Abuna Yemata

The Church of Abuna Yemata is a monolithic church located in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Built during the Aksumite Kingdom, it is notable for being situated at a height of over 2,500 metres and needing to be climbed on foot to be reachable. It is dedicated to Abuna Yemata, one of the Nine Saints who came from the Byzantine Empire to spread Christianity.

History

In the 9th century CE, the church was home to the falconer Nibris, who had an agreement with the local priests to help them with supplies, water, and clothing in exchange for permission to train his eagles there. He mentored Kaleb, a young priest who also had taken a liking to the birds. This peaceful lifestyle was broken by the arrival of General Endubis, who soon revealed himself and forced the monks into servitude. Nibris managed to escape with his eagle Memnon to get help, while Kaleb chose to stay behind to try and free the rest of the eagles. Endubis, believing himself to be the mythical serpent-god Arwe, soon forced his people to dig defensive tunnels to lure and trap his imagined enemies at the church.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Mirage – A Soar of Eagles