Image by Marcia Lepler Selected by PhotoPlace Gallery
Ellen Gilkerson | Published on 7/8/2025
A Coptic Orthodox Priest in Jerusalem, a moving image by Marcia Lepler, was selected by PhotoPlace Gallery for the Exhibition Gallery portion of the Travel: People, Places, Things Exhibition at PhotoPlace Gallery in Middlebury, Vermont. PhotoPlace sought images that convey the spirit of travel in all its forms that reveal the stories, beauty, and surprises found along the way.The juror was Laura Moya, former director of Photolucida and the producer of the Critical Mass book award publications. Thirty-five images were selected for the in-house Exhibition Gallery, and an additional 40 images were selected for the Online Gallery.
The exhibition will run from August 1 through August 29. The opening reception will take place on Friday, August 1, from 4 to 7 pm. You can view all the images at: https://www.photoplacegallery.com/online-juried-shows/travel-people-places-things/gallery/exhibition-gallery (exhibition gallery), and https://www.photoplacegallery.com/online-juried-shows/travel-people-places-things/gallery/online-gallery (online gallery).
Marcia says: I took this photograph inside the small Saint Anthony's Coptic Monastery in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian denominations with roots in Egypt dating back to the 1st century. It's also the largest church in Egypt and the Middle East. In the United States alone, there are over 2,000 Coptic Orthodox parishes. The responsibilities of Coptic Orthodox Priests include leading prayers, administering sacraments, providing spiritual guidance and overseeing the daily operations of their parish. There are daily prayer services but information about how many people attend is not available.
Marcia Lepler: A Coptic Orthodox Priest in Jerusalem