THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TIMKET (EPIPHANY) CELEBRATION

The Timket (Epiphany) holiday is a holiday when Jesus Christ travelled from Galilee to Jordan and was baptised by his servant St. John. The Ethiopian Orthodox Epiphany is the most important holiday to many Ethiopians because its celebrate by everyone together despite their differences. They pray together for peace, unity, and renewal. Muslims welcome Christians, donate food and wish them a safe journey to the baptism site. So many followers of the religion celebrate it by worshiping the ark and singing different hymns.

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church followers celebrated the holiday with great splendour. When this holiday is celebrated, the ark of covenant is moved out of their temples and spend the night in tents. This’s to re-enact Jesus Christ going from Galilee to Jordan to be baptised by John.
Ethiopia begun baptism in 34 E.C., and the celebration started at the time of Emperor Gebre Meskel.
In the era of St. Lalibela, the arks were brought of their stands and spent the night together; then in the era of Zera Yaqob, the arks were raised from where they were and moved around and blessed the country and returned to their place. Thus the celebration was decided to be on January 10th.
That is why the scholars and monks show the glory of baptism by singing and praising the children of our fathers by walking and praying for the ark of covenant.

Ethiopian Orthodox Epiphany

This holiday is celebrated every year in most woredas and all kebeles. Since the ark of covenant leaves their stands and resides in the Epiphany Sea, the residents and parents who come from other places, spend the night with the ark celebrating it.
In North Shewa, the church of Morret and Jiru Woreda, the Tabotatu came out of their glory and were worshiped by priests, Sunday school singers and believers waiting to be baptised, and as usual, the youth respected the law and laid a carpet and made their way to the baptism site. Even today, where many believers, priests, fathers and singers were present, the celebration was colourful.

The holiday was celebrated with priests, deacons, Yaredawi hymns and Sunday school students singing and thanking the believers. The Ark of covenant was returned to their stand with a special hymn. Epiphany holiday was celebrated with love, unity and respect with full Christian spirit and Ethiopian values.

Thus, religious holidays are a pillar for good values; the country unity, cultural expansion, social life and economic growth are paid attention too and encouraged.

Joram Jojo

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Joram Jojo

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Social Architect & Computer Scientist

THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TIMKET (EPIPHANY) CELEBRATION

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