Ethiopia's Meskel Festival Lights Up Addis Ababa with Religious Rituals

Thousands of devout Orthodox Christian believers gathered in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, to celebrate the annual Meskel festival with bonfires.
Significance of Meskel Festival
Meskel holds immense significance for Orthodox Christian believers as it commemorates the finding of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
Rituals and Merriment Nationwide
The festival, celebrated annually, is marked with a series of rituals and merriment that resonate nationwide.
Burning Bonfires Across Ethiopia
One of the most iconic aspects of Meskel is the burning of bonfires across Ethiopia, symbolizing the actions of Saint Helena, who, according to tradition, lit a bonfire to reveal the location of the True Cross.
Patriarch's Bonfire Lighting Ceremony
The highlight of the festival is when the patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church lights a bonfire in Meskel square, illuminating the night sky and symbolizing the light of Christ. The mesmerizing display of flames not only signifies the triumph of light over darkness but also serves as a spiritual beacon for Orthodox Christian believers who flock to witness this sacred tradition. The Meskel festival is a time of joy, faith, and communal unity, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate their shared religious heritage in a spectacle that is both awe-inspiring and spiritually uplifting. This year's celebration in Addis Ababa was a testament to the enduring cultural and religious traditions that bind the Ethiopian people together in a tapestry of faith and devotion.