Candlelight Vigil Among Ethiopian Orthodox Worshipers

Inside a dim Ethiopian Orthodox church during a candlelight vigil, a young girl about 10 years old stands at the center, holding a lit candle close to her chest. She wears a white netela shawl over a modest dress, with a gentle, reverent expression. She is surrounded by worshippers of all ages in traditional attire—men in white shamma and women in white netela with colorful borders, beaded jewelry, and modest dresses. The flame from hundreds of candles casts a warm amber glow on carved wooden pews, an iconostasis, and painted icons on the walls. Thin wisps of incense smoke drift through the air, and soft dust motes float in the glow. The scene is serene, respectful, and photorealistic, with rich textures of fabrics, wood, and gold accents, capturing a moment of communal devotion in Ethiopian Orthodox culture.