Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christians Celebrate Epiphany (Timkat) – 2021

His Holiness Abune Mathias – Co-Patriarch of Ethiopia and deputy mayor of Addis Ababa Adanch Abebe

Eritrean Orthodox Epiphany Celebrations

Menetasnot Desta (Delegate of the Horn of Africa and Head of Ethiopian Affairs) -OCP News Service – 20/01/2021

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia: Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church celebrates the annual commemoration of the Baptism of Jesus Christ (worldwide)e in colourful public festivity for three consecutive days from 18th January to 20th January 2021. Celebrations also took place in Mekele and Mchewe dioceses of Tigray region and as well as in the Jordan River region which is under the jurisdiction of the Ethiopian Archbishop of Jerusalem.

Co-Patriarch Abune Mathias of Ethiopia presided over the celebrations in the capital city of Addis Ababa. The Primate urged unity of Ethiopian people in his speech. Apart from the Ethiopian Prelates, guests from sister Orthodox churches and representatives of the federal and city level governmental bodies also took part in the celebration.

According to the Federal police, the celebrations in the Captial was peaceful. However, the report from the West Arsi dioceses media, a minor conflict took place in Halaba Zone of South Nation Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State (SNNRS), which was resolved by the effort of South Police and the Zonal Administration.

No celebration took place in Hosanna, the capital of the Hadiya Zone of SNNRS. It was due to the disagreement between the Zonal leaders and Hadiya and Silte Dioceses of the Ethiopian Church regarding the ownership of the proposed place for Epiphany celebrations.

The Eritrean Orthodox faithful also celebrated Epiphany with COVID 19 protocol (with a limited number of adherents).

Source:
OCP News Service