Ethiopians are generally very religious. I’ve arrived in Addis for 3 weeks and I’ve had a few Holy days or “Holidays” already. Life is good.
Last Thursday night I joined an estimated 200 000 + people at Meskel Square to celebrate the Meskel holiday. Meskel, is the religious celebration of the discovery of the True Cross in the 4th century by Queen Eleni aka Saint Helena. According to the Orthodox story, Queen Eleni was inspired by a dream to light a giant bonfire of wood. And when she did, the smoke rose up high in the sky and returned to the ground at the exact same spot where the Cross had been buried. Aside from Easter, Meskel is the largest religious celebration of the year.
This year’s celebrations were marked by the lighting of a huge bonfire to re-enact the finding of the True Cross and a beautiful display of fireworks for the Millennium. Thousands of spectators braved the mud from the rainy season, huge crowds and random body searches by the Federal Police. We were not disappointed. The celebrations preceding the climatic bonfire were absolutely beautiful. Imagine standing shoulder-to-shoulder, toe-to-toe with thousands of onlookers wading in mud in peace, eagerly awaiting the cue to light their candles. In the distance I could see people passing along their flame to one another. Moments later, I was surrounded by a sea of flickering candle flames. The warm glow from the candles and the soft chanting of believers transported me to an incredibly peaceful place.
The atmosphere inspired me to pray. And during that moment, I couldn’t hear anything but my words to God. Though I’m not an Orthodox Christian, it didn’t matter. You either believe or not. Frankly, it’s the same God so why does it matter if I’m Non-Denominational or not. I was so encouraged by this sight of tolerance: absolute strangers, Ethiopians and Foreigners, standing centimeters away from one another passing the flame and just enjoying each other’s company. It’s possible, anything is possible if people are genuinely compassionate.
It was amazing.
p.s. Photographs will be on Facebook soon…
http://utoronto.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6087&l=850fe&id=515904080
WOW, that is an awesome sight!!
LOVE IT SIS, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, I’M ERITREAN AND WE CELEBRATE THE FINDING OF THE TRUE CROSS THE SAME WAY. GOD BLESS YOU FOR DOCUMENTING IT AND DO IT AGAIN LOL WITH MORE PICS.
PS. MAY THE GOD OF THE HOLY VIRGIN BE WITH YOU ALWAYS, AMEN.
Hi, I love your photography! Its true that at times you can’t find the right words to express the spiritual feeling of this kind of Love. I hope you continue to do your work, it’s a blessing to all, and to you.
May the Holy Trinity be with you always, Amen.
wow! it is really beautiful. I am tewahdo orthodox i live in the States and always wish to be at Addis during such celebration. I thank you for making my wish possible at least with your awsome pictures.
keep it up, sis
GOD BLESS
I just wanted to say there are a lot more holy days to come from the tewahdo orthodox church! I really like the pictures you took, hopefully we see more pictures from you of the Tewahdo Orthodox Churches in Addis Ababa!
Nice Work!
Nice pictures it reminds me back home.
Good job. Keep it up
Your pictures and your experience of Meskel are very moving.
I can just imagine the feeling of oneness in Christ that you experienced.
I MOST DEFFINETLY wish that you had more pics because they are exquisite!
Especially seeing how many! people! the sea of flames!
all together to celebrate one glorious occasion…FANTASSSTTTIIICCC
If you have more pics PLEASE post them!!!!!!!!
God Bless. May the intercession of the Saints be with you always…
You did a good Job sis and may the word of God be with you.
This actually brings a lot memory back and keep up this good work
Wow! when i first saw these pictures i was so amazed. i just wanted to say that these are really beautiful pictures and it is nice to see our culture once again. Good Job and may GOD always be with you and your loved ones.
I can say that I also understand what you felt during that moment of prayer. I am an Eritrean Orthodox Christian and this past Sunday we also celebrated the holiday here in Columbus, Ohio at Saint Mary Tewhado Orthodox Church. It was a beautiful event, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers all stood by to watch the flames burn in rememberance of this spectacular moment. Keep up the good work, and continue to keep faith.
nice job thank you so much and God bless you
Excellent work. May God’s grace be with you forever!
Genet
Orlando
Dear sister in Christ,
The pictures you have taken are so beautiful that it moved me spiritually. I am an Eritrean Tewahdo Orthodox Christian and If such pictures can stir such feelings in me, I can imagine what you must have felt being part of the occasion. I pray you will follow up more on the Tewahdo Orthodox doctrine and continue to share more and more beautiful pictures.
God bless you.
Sam.
Wiscons.
I really like your pics. you did an excellent job.keep it up. hope to see more pics. of other holy hoildays.
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU
betami tbuk amlack eyhagskom
it was good and i lovet god bless you
my name is robel and i live in orlando florida and i see the picture it was good and god bless you
good job
me abdulaziz am sdanis ai liveing in sawth darfur ai want brwber abawt visa aded to fain to sam wan to healv me geat cheans ma 32 years owld and aded fain job in usa awr unaited kindum yuo kwno in darfur is no job and no low becuth no jeastis thers is no , me want to leave for thes cantery for give me and aded faind to staded english thanks