Addis Ababa, September 27, 2024 (FBC) – Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, His Holiness Abune Mathias urged all Ethiopians to settle problems facing the country through peaceful means, equality and love in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Cross.
The Patriarch conveyed his message at the annual celebration of Demera, an annual bonfire lighting ceremony to commemorate the finding of the true cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified.
The feast of Demera was colorfully celebrated on Thursday afternoon at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa in the presence of President Sahle-Work Zewde, arch bishops, senior government officials, religious fathers, and diplomatic corps.
Patriarch Abune Mathias said that the words of the Cross depict peace, love and unity and urged all Ethiopians to forge peace and unity.
The cross was buried and found, he said, adding but the words of the cross are not materialistic but spiritual, not of earthly but of Divine.
His Holiness urged all Ethiopians to seek solutions to existing problems through peaceful means and unity based on the teachings of the Cross—a symbol of love, peace, unity and equality.
The mistrust being observed among humanity across the world is the result of human beings rebellion to the words of the Cross, Abune Mathias remarked.
A huge gathering of followers of the church, Sunday school students, and members of the clergy dressed in robes and traditional clothes and several tourists have the celebration, as called by ENA.
Meskel festival is also being celebrated today across the country with a variety of events.