Addis Ababa, September 28, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopian Orthodox Christians at home and abroad are colorfully celebrating the Meskel Holiday that marks the Finding of the True Cross.
On September 27, the Demera festivity, the annual religious bonfire celebration, is always observed throughout the country with various religious events on the eve of Meskel to commemorate the smoke that led Empress Helena to the site of the True Cross.
Accordingly, Demera was colorfully celebrated on Wednesday, on the Eve of Meskel in Addis Ababa in the presence of President Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopian Orthodox Church archbishops, Ministers of Culture and Sports Kejela Merdasa, and other dignitaries.
Demera is a colorful occasion that draws 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.
Usually observed on September 28, Meskel is a religious event marked annually by Orthodox Christians to commemorate the founding of the true cross up on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church scholars say the true cross was discovered by Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, the first Christian Emperor of Rome.
It is believed that in 4th century BC Empress Helena ordered the people of Jerusalem to collect wood after she received a vision in a dream telling her where to find the cross. And the smoke from a huge bonfire directed the site where the cross was placed.
Accordingly, the Meskel festivity is being celebrated by Orthodox Tewahdo Christians throughout Ethiopia and in the Diaspora.
In his Meskel-Demera best wishes, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) noted that “Demera Festival brings people together and unscramble things.”
He described the holiday as a symbol of transformation. “Demera is the sign that helped the finding of the True Cross. It is an example for us to stand in unison for the development and prosperity of our nation,”
“As the finding of the True Cross necessitated the cooperation and consultation of many, it needs our cooperation and unity to realize development and prosperity in Ethiopia,” the Premier underscored.
The Prime Minister further called on the faithful to maintain unity and togetherness while celebrating the Meskel-Demera festival.
Meanwhile, His Holiness Abune Mathias I, Sixth Patriarch and Catholicos of Ethiopia, Archbishop of Axum and Ichege of the See of Saint Taklehaimanot, through his representative – Head of the Patriarchate Office and the Archbishop of Bahir Dar Diocese, His Eminence Abune Abraham – stated that Meskel brings salvation and an occasion where peace, love and unity is always preached.
His Beatitude called on the faithful told follow the teachings of the cross and observe the Meskel holiday – an exemplification of love – in harmony and solidarity.
He also expressed the need to live in peace, love, understanding, unity and forgiveness, which are the symbols of the Holy Cross.
Moreover, ambassadors, representatives and diplomats of various countries and international and multilateral organizations based in Addis Ababa sent their best wishes to Ethiopians celebrating the occasion.
Meskel celebration is considered the most important religious holiday in Ethiopia, largely because it’s believed that a piece of the cross Empress Helena found was brought to Ethiopia, and is housed in the mountains of Amba Gishen.
The faithful across Ethiopia are today celebrating Meskel with various religious and cultural festivities across the country.
The festival is one of UNESCO’s intangible heritages that become a world treasure with many cultural and spiritual values.