Good Friday,
On Friday at midday the clergy decorated the church with whatsoever
crimson or other brocades they possessed, and erected a Crucifix
covered with a small curtain they then sang all night and read the
psalms all day after which they all threw themselves on the ground.
Prostrate, buffeted, each other knocked their heads against the
walls, and punched them weeping “so bitterly” this lamentation often
lasted “quite two hours” after which two priests, each holding a
small whip with five thongs, went to each of the church doors and
began scourging the congregation who for this purpose had stripping
themselves from the waist upwards, as they left the building. Some
received only a few strokes, but other intentionally waited to
receive many. Some old men and women remained being beaten for half
an hour or so until their blood ran, after which they slept in the
courtyard.
At midnight the priest began singing, after which they said mass, and took Holy Communion. They then recited matins, and before morning made a procession before saying another mass at dawn. Easter services were decency and were followed by a very solemn procession in which the church men carried so many and such large candles there were.
On Easter Sunday the priest went around the town procession, carrying crosses and church ornaments and singing in praise of God and the person they were about to visit . in return they would be invited, during the following month, by all those whom they had visited, and who would give them a feast, perhaps killing two or three cows for the occasion.
Time of rejoicing that recalls the disciples' discovery that Jesus
was alive, and that he had been resurrected; many churches keep a
vigil throughout Saturday night so that they can greet Easter Day
with services, family meals, and the exchange of flowers and eggs.
(Tour itinerary)
Debre Damo (Feast of Saint Aregawi)
Orthodox Tewahedo Christian celebrate the feast of Saint (Abune)
Aregawi, on October 14 Ethiopian Calendar (October 24 Gregorian
calendar) which conclude in a pilgrimage to Debre Damo, about 25
kilometers from Adigrat, from all over the country. (Tour itinerary)
Kulubi (Feast of Saint Gabriel)
The feast of Saint Gabriel (Kulubi Gabriel), the Archangel, is
celebrated on December 19 Ethiopian calendar (28 Dec Gregorian
calendar) and 26 Jul, 2010/Hamle 19/ which culminates in a
pilgrimage to Kulubi, about 68 kms from Dire dawa city. Orthodox
Tewahedo Christians mark the celebration with colorful processions
and ceremonies. Pilgrims (about 100,000 followers) walk up the hills
to the church to fulfill a vow and give gifts to the church. Some
pilgrims carry heavy rocks on their back up the hill to the church.
St Gabriel is the Patron Saint who guards over homes and churches.
There is huge pilgrimage to St. Gabriel’s church at Kulubi hill.
Many pilgrims carry heavy burdens as penance, children are brought
to be baptized, and offerings are made to be distributed to the
poor. The church was built in 1880. Kulubi is the largest pilgrimage
place in Ethiopia. (Tour itinerary)
Buhe – 21 August
Bands of small boys call at each house, singing and jostling until
they are given some fresh bread or money. In the evening, bonfires
are lit outside each home. (Tour itinerary)
Mariam Zion/Hidar Zion/- Celebration of Axum St Marry
One of the most fascinating and advanced legendary (we believe real
history) of Ethiopia locate the Ark of the Covenant in Axum. It is
widely believed that the Ark is currently being held in the church
of Saint Mary of Zion, guarded by a monk known as the “keeper of the
Ark”, who claims to have it in his possession. According to the Axum
Christian community, they acquired the Ark during the reign of King
Solomon from Israel.
The festival is attended by tens of thousands of people from all
over the world during 27- 31 November annually, making it one of the
most joyous annual pilgrimages in Axum, the “sacred city of the
Ethiopians”. (Tour itinerary)
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