Easter celebrations are in full swing across Ethiopia, where Orthodox Christians have been observing the holiday at churches throughout the country. With a population of over 80 million, Ethiopia is home to the largest Orthodox community outside of Europe. In preparation for Easter, Orthodox Christians fast for 55 days prior to the holiday, abstaining from meat and animal products.
On Sunday, worshippers gathered at Kidus Gebreil Church in Addis Ababa to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The head of the church, Megabi Hadis Leake Mariam, spoke about the significance of the holiday. “Today we are celebrating the date our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ rose from the dead,” he said. “When we say this, we are witnessing the resurrection of Jesus Christ in this service and emphasizing that just as He rose from death, we believers will also rise.”
During Easter, families and friends travel from far away places to be with their loved ones. While most Western churches observed Easter on March 31st, Eastern Orthodox churches follow the older Julian calendar and mark the holiday on Sunday across the world. The unique customs and traditions of Eastern Orthodox Christianity make it a fascinating celebration to observe.