Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians gathered in Addis Ababa’s Meskel Square on Tuesday to celebrate Christmas Eve, marking the culmination of 43 days of fasting. Participants, dressed in traditional white robes, participated in a candlelight ceremony followed by an all-night church service.
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar, which falls 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar observed by Catholics and Protestants. The ceremony in Meskel Square reflected both spiritual devotion and communal joy.
“The feeling here is absolutely phenomenal. Everyone is happy. Everyone is spiritually joyous,” said Estifanos Girma, a deacon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, as the congregation gathered in the capital.
While the festivities brought a sense of unity and celebration, Ethiopia continues to face internal challenges. Although the war in the Tigray region ended in 2022, the Amhara and Oromia regions are experiencing ongoing ethnic-based insurgencies, raising concerns over internal security.
Despite these tensions, Addis Ababa is undergoing significant urban development under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, with investments in infrastructure including bike lanes, parks, museums, and a new conference center. The city’s revitalization coincides with preparations for general elections scheduled for June, highlighting a juxtaposition of national renewal and ongoing security concerns.
The Orthodox Christmas celebrations offered Ethiopians a moment of spiritual reflection and communal solidarity amid a year marked by both progress and persistent challenges.
