Addis Ababa, January 6, 2025 (FMC) – In a message to the Christian community, Ethiopian religious leaders have emphasized the importance of spreading peace, love, and reconciliation during the Ethiopian Christmas holiday.
On the eve of Genna, the Ethiopian Christmas, religious leaders from various denominations have called on the faithful to commemorate the occasion by giving love and peace to mankind and by helping the poor and fostering unity.
His Holiness Abune Mathias I, Sixth Patriarch and Catholicos of Ethiopia, Archbishop of Axum and Ichege of the See of Saint Taklehaimanot, highlighted the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ, which God’s profound love for mankind.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Patriarch called for the observance of the holiday by promoting God, love, reconciliation, and peace in society.
His Holiness extended his call for everyone to pray for God to bring peace to the world, loving each other, and promoting love and reconciliation.
For his part, Cardinal Berhaneyesus Surafel, Cardinal of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, also extended his warmest wishes for peace, health, and prosperity on the occasion of Ethiopian Christmas.
He emphasized that when celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, it should be done with neighbors, helping those in need, and visiting those who are sick. The head of Ethiopian Catholic Church reminded that when God created mankind, it was with the intention for us to live in peace and happiness, and the birth of Jesus Christ heralded the sound of peace on earth.
Meanwhile, the President of the Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia, Pastor Tsadiqu Abdo, also expressed his best wishes for peace, health, and prosperity on the occasion of Ethiopian Christmas.
He called on everyone to play a constructive role in efforts to build lasting peace in Ethiopia and to celebrate the holiday by helping and visiting the elderly and those in need.
In their messages, the religious leaders stressed the importance of celebrating the holiday with respect and love, while also extending a call to action for the faithful to support the poor and promote unity among all people.
As Ethiopian Christians celebrate Genna, the religious leaders hope that the spirit of peace, love, and reconciliation will prevail, and that the birth of Jesus Christ will be a reminder of God’s love for mankind.