Religious leaders share Christmas messages
Addis Ababa, January 6, 2020 (FBC) – Religious Leaders have extended happy withes to all Ethiopian Christians over the celebration of Genna or Ethiopian Christmas holiday which marks the birth of Jesus Christ.
Extending his blessings on the Christmas Holiday to be celebrated by Ethiopian Christians on tomorrow, Patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church, His Holiness Abune Matias said Christmas is a grand holiday that marks the day angels of the heaven and human beings on the earth sang together for the glory of God and peace.
Abune Matias urged faithful to love, peace and harmony show kindness to the needy while celebrating the holiday.
Cardinal of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, Abune Birhane-Eyesus Surafel also said that Chirstmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ for the salvation of all human beings. “Jesus Christ redeemed us from sin and gave us salivation through his birth.” the Cardinal underlined.
Cardinal urged the faithful to maintain peace and harmony and contribute their share in addressing conflicts and displacements that are causing sufferings to the people created by image of God.
President of Ethiopian Gospel Believers Churches Council, Dr. Eyasu Eliyas, President of Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, priest Yonas Yigezu, and President of Evangelical Church Fellowship of Ethiopia, Pastor Tsadiku Abdo, to themselves underlined that the birth of Jesus Christ eliminated the barrier between God and Human beings calling adherents to maintain lasting peace and harmony in the country.
They called up on adherents to show kindness to those who are affected by manmade and natural calamities and to the needy in camps and rehab centers calling all the community to observe precautions of COVID 19 pandemic while observing Christmas.
Meanwhile, Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia extended happy wished to all Ethiopian Christians over Christmas holiday.
Ethiopian Christians mark Christmas or Gena every year on January 7th twelve days after December 25 which is a Christmas day in many parts of the world for they follow Julian calendar.