PH
Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia have been celebrating Easter at churches throughout the country.
Home to the largest Orthodox community outside of Europe, they fast for 55 days before Easter, abstaining from meat and animal products.
On the eve of the country’s most recognized religious holiday, believers dressed in customary white attend church services that last into the early hours of the morning.
On Sunday, priests, deacons, and worshippers gathered at Kidus Gebreil Church in Addis Abeba to observe the day.
“We are celebrating the date our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ rose from the dead. When we say this, we are witnessing the resurrection of Jesus Christ in this service and emphasising that just as He rose from death, we believers will also rise,” said the head of the church, Megabi Hadis Leake Mariam.
መልካም የትንሳኤ በዓል! #ኢትዮጵያ
Wishing you a happy and peaceful Ethiopian Easter! #Ethiopia pic.twitter.com/4dQeD78SPk
— UN Ethiopia (@UNEthiopia) May 5, 2024
During the Easter period, family members and friends travel from faraway places to be with their loved ones.
Ethiopians celebrating #Easter in #Melbourne, #Australia!
Photo credits: @SBSAmharic pic.twitter.com/4kjds9R33i
— Australian Embassy, Ethiopia (@AusEmbET) May 5, 2024
While most Western churches observed Easter on 31 March, Eastern Orthodox churches follow the older Julian calendar, marking the holiday across the world on Sunday.
