Thousands of Orthodox Christians dressed in white gathered at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa on Tuesday to celebrate Christmas Eve. The candlelight ceremony was followed by an all-night church service, marking the end of 43 days of fasting.
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar observed by Catholics and Protestants. “The feeling here is absolutely phenomenal. Everyone is happy. Everyone is spiritually joyous,” said Estifanos Girma, a deacon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, while participating in the festivities.
Ethiopia has faced instability in recent years. While the war in the Tigray region ended in 2022, ethnic-based insurgencies in the Amhara and Oromia regions continue to pose threats to national security. Despite these challenges, Addis Ababa is undergoing a transformation. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali has invested billions of dollars into the capital, creating bike lanes, parks, museums, and a new conference center.
As Ethiopians celebrated their religious traditions, the country also looks ahead to general elections scheduled for June, in what promises to be a pivotal moment for the nation’s future.
Leave a comment