Ethiopians Celebrate Christian Meskel Holiday in Country's Capital
Ethiopians Celebrate Christian Meskel Holiday in Country's Capital
Sputnik Africa
On Wednesday, Ethiopia celebrated the Orthodox holiday of Meskel, which is accompanied by the lighting of bonfires, religious events, ceremonial animal... 28.09.2023, Sputnik Africa
The Ethiopian Meskel celebration is an annual religious holiday in the Ethiopian Orthodox church that commemorates the discovery of the True Cross in the fourth century by the Roman Empress Helena.Although, the feast is celebrated on September 27, on the eve of the holiday, families construct the demera, a tall prism made of twigs to resemble the burning fir tree that led Helena to the cross.The holiday starts with a liturgy held within local churches. After the liturgy, citizens of the country's capital Addis Ababa head to the Meskel square, where priests lead the celebrations, performing a mass. Following the service, the patriarch of the family sacrifices a goat or a bull and drinks traditional alcohol in order to ward off evil spirits. The ritual animal must fall on its right side or must be quickly turned over, otherwise it can bring a curse on the family.In the late afternoon, singing traditional hymns, families gather around the demera, which is set on fire when it gets dark. Afterwards, the ashes left from the bonfire are often used to mark a person with a cross, which symbolizes devotion to God.Meskel was included on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UN Agency for Education, Science and Culture.Check out Sputnik Africa's photo gallery to take a look at the Meskel celebration in Addis Ababa!
On Wednesday, Ethiopia celebrated the Orthodox holiday of Meskel, which is accompanied by the lighting of bonfires, religious events, ceremonial animal sacrifice, traditional songs and dances.
The Ethiopian Meskel celebration is an annual religious holiday in the Ethiopian Orthodox church that commemorates the discovery of the True Cross in the fourth century by the Roman Empress Helena.
Although, the feast is celebrated on September 27, on the eve of the holiday, families construct the demera, a tall prism made of twigs to resemble the burning fir tree that led Helena to the cross.
The holiday starts with a liturgy held within local churches. After the liturgy, citizens of the country's capital Addis Ababa head to the Meskel square, where priests lead the celebrations, performing a mass.
Following the service, the patriarch of the family sacrifices a goat or a bull and drinks traditional alcohol in order to ward off evil spirits. The ritual animal must fall on its right side or must be quickly turned over, otherwise it can bring a curse on the family.
In the late afternoon, singing traditional hymns, families gather around the demera, which is set on fire when it gets dark. Afterwards, the ashes left from the bonfire are often used to mark a person with a cross, which symbolizes devotion to God.
Meskel was included on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UN Agency for Education, Science and Culture.
Check out Sputnik Africa's photo gallery to take a look at the Meskel celebration in Addis Ababa!
A high priest holds a cross while standing in front of a bonfire during the celebrations of the Ethiopian Orthodox holiday of Meskel in Addis Ababa on September 27, 2023.
