Orthodox Christians across Ethiopia are celebrating Easter with great enthusiasm. Known for having the largest Orthodox population outside of Europe, they observe the holiday with strict devotion. Prior to the festivities, worshippers abstain from meat and animal products for 55 days as part of their Lenten fast.
On the eve of what is considered one of the most significant religious holidays in Ethiopia, people wearing traditional white clothing attend church services that last well into the early hours of the morning. At Kidus Gebreil Church in Addis Ababa, priests, deacons, and worshippers came together to mark this special occasion on Sunday.
During Easter celebrations at Kidus Gebreil Church, Megabi Hadis Leake Mariam, head of the church, emphasized the significance of their observance. “Today we are celebrating the date our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ rose from the dead,” he said. “As we say this, we are witnessing the resurrection of Jesus Christ in this service and highlighting that just as He rose from death so too will believers rise.”
The Easter period is a time when family members and friends reunite from faraway places to be with one another. While many Western churches observed Easter on 31 March, Eastern Orthodox churches adhere to an older Julian calendar and celebrate it on Sunday worldwide.