Meskel (Finding of the True Cross)

Why do Ethiopian's celebrate Meskel? Watching Ethiopia's Meskel Demera on TV always felt great; but there is nothing like experiencing it in person. Ethiopia and its centuries old rich traditions and cultures...ah man inde Ethiopia. Enjoy the short yet amazing video and pictures that I was able to capture with my smart phone. It is very exciting to hear that his holiness Abune Mathias Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church saying ongoing efforts are underway to have the Meskel holiday inscribed by UNESCO in the near future. 

The video below is slideshow of few pictures that I took with my smartphone. This one is specially dedicated to those who couldn't be there in person. Kebahir mado lalachu wegenoche. Enjoy. 

What is Meskel? Here is a short informative introduction about the Ethiopian Holiday Meskel copied from Ethiopian Treasures. Meskel is celebrated by dancing, feasting and lighting a massive bonfire known in Ethiopian tradition as "Demera". Meskel commemorates the finding of the True Cross in the fourth century when Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, discovered the True Cross on which Christ was crucified. The feast is celebrated in Ethiopia on September 17 Ethiopian calendar (September 27 Gregorian calendar), 6 months after the discovery of the True Cross. The celebration of Meskel signifies the presence of the True Cross at mountain of Gishen Mariam monastery and also symbolizes the events carried out by Empress Helena.

According to tradition, Empress Helena lit incense and prayed for assistance to guide her. The smoke drifted towards the direction of the buried cross. She dug and found three crosses; one of them was the True Cross used to crucify Jesus Christ. Empress Helena then gave a piece of the True Cross to all churches, including the Ethiopian Church. This piece was then brought to Ethiopia. According to the Ethiopian legend, when people get close to the piece of the True Cross it made them naked by its powerful light. Because of this, a decision was made to bury it at the mountain of Gishen Mariam monastery in Wollo region. The monastery of Gishen Mariam holds a volume of a book which records the story of the True Cross of Christ and how it was acquired.

Cheers,
Daniel