Orthodox Easter Sunday in Ethiopia
Orthodox Easter Sunday is a holiday in Ethiopia.
When is Orthodox Easter Sunday in Ethiopia
Orthodox Easter Sunday is celebrated on 16, April, 2023 in Ethiopia.
About Orthodox Easter Sunday in Ethiopia
Orthodox Easter Sunday, also known as Fasika, is one of the most important holidays in Ethiopia. It is celebrated on a different date than the Western Easter Sunday, as the Ethiopian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar.
The celebration of Fasika begins on the eve of Easter Sunday with a church service that lasts throughout the night. The service includes hymns, prayers, and the reading of the Bible. At midnight, the priest announces the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the congregation responds with cheers and applause.
After the service, families return home to break their fast with a traditional meal of injera (a sourdough flatbread) and doro wat (a spicy chicken stew). This meal marks the end of the 55-day Lenten fast, during which Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, dairy, and other animal products.
On Easter Sunday, families dress in traditional clothes and attend church services, which are accompanied by music and dancing. After the service, people visit friends and relatives to exchange greetings and gifts. Many also participate in a traditional game called “Genna,” which involves two teams throwing a ball made of leather or cloth.
Overall, Fasika is a time of joy and celebration in Ethiopia, as it marks the end of the Lenten fast and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
History of Orthodox Easter Sunday in Ethiopia
Orthodox Easter Sunday, also known as Fasika, is one of the most important religious holidays in Ethiopia. The holiday is celebrated by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and is based on the Julian calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar used in most of the world.
The history of Orthodox Easter Sunday in Ethiopia dates back to the 4th century when Christianity was introduced to the country by St. Frumentius, a Syrian monk. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church was founded in the 5th century and has remained an integral part of Ethiopian culture and society ever since.
The celebration of Orthodox Easter Sunday in Ethiopia is a week-long event that begins with a 55-day fasting period known as Lent. During this time, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians abstain from meat and dairy products, and many also fast from sunrise until sunset.
On the eve of Easter Sunday, known as Holy Saturday, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians attend church services that last throughout the night. The services include the reading of the Gospel, prayers, hymns, and the lighting of candles. At midnight, the church bells ring, and the congregation breaks their fast with a feast of traditional Ethiopian dishes.
On Easter Sunday, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians attend church services dressed in their finest clothes. The services include the reading of the Gospel, prayers, and the singing of hymns. After the service, families gather to enjoy a festive meal together, and children participate in traditional games and activities.
Overall, Orthodox Easter Sunday is a significant cultural and religious holiday in Ethiopia that celebrates the country’s rich history and traditions.
How is Orthodox Easter Sunday celebrated in Ethiopia
Orthodox Easter Sunday, also known as Fasika, is a major celebration in Ethiopia. It is celebrated according to the Julian calendar, which falls on a different date than the Western Easter Sunday.
The celebrations begin on the night before Easter Sunday with a special church service called the Vigil of Easter. The service starts at around 10 pm and lasts until the early hours of the morning. The church is decorated with flowers and candles, and people dress in traditional white clothing.
On Easter Sunday, people attend church services in the morning, and then gather with family and friends for a festive meal. The meal typically includes traditional Ethiopian dishes such as injera (a sourdough flatbread), doro wat (spicy chicken stew), and tibs (grilled meat).
Throughout the day, people also participate in traditional games and activities, such as playing a game called shaguwaro (similar to hockey), and dancing to traditional music.
In addition to the religious and cultural celebrations, Orthodox Easter Sunday is also a time for forgiveness and reconciliation. People ask for forgiveness from those they may have wronged, and forgive those who have wronged them.
Overall, Orthodox Easter Sunday is a joyous and meaningful celebration in Ethiopia, bringing together families and communities to celebrate their faith and culture.
Dates
Orthodox Easter Sunday will be celebrated in Ethiopia on 2023-04-16, 2025-04-20, 2026-04-12, 2027-05-02 in the comming years.