Meskel

Ethiopia · religion · holiday · history

Holy cross discovery. Meskel remembers when Saint Helena, an empress from ancient Rome, found what Christians believe is the actual cross that Jesus was crucified on, way back in the 300s.

Ethiopian celebration. This festival is celebrated by millions of people in Ethiopia and Eritrea, especially members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which is one of the world's oldest Christian churches.

September celebration. Meskel happens on September 17 each year according to the Ethiopian calendar, which is different from the calendar most people use around the world.

Cross means cross. The word Meskel comes from Amharic, the main language of Ethiopia, and it simply means 'cross' in English.

Shared holiday. Not just one church celebrates Meskel, Catholics, Protestants, and other Christian groups in Ethiopia and Eritrea join in the festivities too.