Christians across Ethiopia are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (Genna) on Wednesday, marking the holiday with a mixture of solemn religious liturgies, vibrant cultural festivities, and a unified call from leaders for peace and support for the vulnerable.
The celebrations, held on January 7 according to the Julian calendar, began with overnight vigils. In the capital, thousands of faithful gathered at Meskel Square for the annual "Melody of Myriads"(Ye a'elaafat Zemarie) spiritual program, where the sounds of traditional hymns and the rhythmic beat of the drum filled the air.
In their annual holiday messages, religious leaders emphasized the spiritual duty of reconciliation. His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, described the birth of Christ as a "practical expression of Gods profound love for humanity."He urged followers to pray for national peace and to foster a spirit of reconciliation to overcome current challenges.
Similarly, Cardinal Berhaneyesus Suraphiel of the Ethiopian Catholic Church and Reverend Dereje Jemberu, Secretary-General of the Ethiopian Council of Gospel Believers' Churches, echoed these sentiments. They called on the faithful to use the holiday as an opportunity to visit the sick and resolve differences through dialogue.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Taye Atske-Selassie also extended their best wishes to the public. The Prime Minister highlighted the symbolic nature of the holiday as a time for "redemption and hope,"urging citizens to work collectively toward a stable and prosperous future.
Demonstrating the holidays focus on compassion, Prime Minister Abiy and First Lady Zinash Tayachew spent the morning sharing a Christmas meal with students at the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak School for the Blind.
While the holiday is a time of joy, religious fathers reminded the public to remain mindful of those facing hardship, urging the community to share food, clothing, and resources with those affected by displacement and economic shortages.
The celebrations in Ethiopia coincided with similar observances in other Eastern Orthodox traditions, including those in Russia, Serbia, and Georgia.
