Rizky Amelia
Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians gathered across the country this week to observe Meskel, one of the most significant festivals in the church's liturgical calendar, even as renewed violence in the northern Tigray region cast a shadow over the celebrations. Worshippers used the occasion to issue heartfelt appeals for peace, turning a joyous religious commemoration into a platform for expressing their deep concern about the country's fragile security situation.
The Meskel festival, which falls on September 27 in the Gregorian calendar, commemorates the discovery of the "True Cross" — the wooden cross on which Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified. According to church tradition, the cross was unearthed in the fourth century by Saint Helena, the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. The discovery is said to have been revealed to her through a dream, after which she traveled to Jerusalem to search for the sacred relic.
Central to the celebration is the burning of a large bonfire, known as a "Demera," which is lit on the eve of the festival. The bonfire's direction and the way it collapses are traditionally interpreted as omens for the year ahead. The ashes are then used to mark the foreheads of the faithful in the shape of a cross. This ritual is deeply embedded in Ethiopian Orthodox practice and draws enormous crowds each year to Meskel Square in the capital, Addis Ababa, as well as to churches and public spaces throughout the country.
This year, however, the mood was tempered by news of fresh fighting in Tigray, a region that endured a devastating two-year civil war between 2020 and 2022. That conflict, which pitted Ethiopian federal forces and their allies against the Tigray People's Liberation Front, resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. Although a peace agreement signed in November 2022 brought major hostilities to an end, the situation has remained tense, and the reported resumption of fighting has raised fears of a return to full-scale war.
Worshippers who spoke at the celebrations expressed anguish over the prospect of renewed conflict. Many said they had hoped the peace deal would usher in a lasting era of stability, allowing communities to rebuild and families to reunite. Instead, they find themselves once again praying for an end to violence. The juxtaposition of a festival that celebrates light, discovery and salvation with the grim reality of war resonated powerfully with participants.
Religious leaders also used their sermons to call for reconciliation and dialogue. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which counts tens of millions of adherents and is one of the oldest Christian institutions in the world, has historically played a moral authority role in Ethiopian society. During the Tigray war, church leaders were among those who urged restraint and mediated between the parties. Their renewed appeals for peace carry significant weight, particularly in rural areas where the church remains a central institution.
The Meskel celebrations themselves were marked by traditional songs, prayers and processions. In Addis Ababa, the capital, crowds dressed in white traditional garments — known as "netela" — filled streets and church compounds. Priests in ornate vestments led liturgical services, and choirs chanted ancient hymns in Ge'ez, the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The Demera bonfire in the capital was lit with great ceremony, drawing officials and diplomats alongside ordinary worshippers.
For many Ethiopians, Meskel is not only a religious event but also a cultural touchstone that transcends denominational lines. Muslims and Protestants, as well as followers of other faiths, often participate in the public festivities or watch the bonfire lighting. The festival has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, underscoring its significance beyond Ethiopia's borders. Diaspora communities in Europe, North America and the Middle East also hold their own Meskel observances.
Yet the political and security context is impossible to ignore. The reported resurgence of fighting in Tigray has alarmed international observers, who fear that a return to war could undo the fragile gains of the past few years. Humanitarian agencies have warned that any renewed conflict would exacerbate an already dire situation, with many displaced people still unable to return home and basic services in parts of the region only partially restored.
The African Union, which brokered the 2022 peace agreement, has not yet issued a detailed statement on the latest reports. Regional powers and Western governments are watching closely, given Ethiopia's strategic importance in the Horn of Africa. A destabilized Ethiopia could have ripple effects across the region, affecting trade routes, refugee flows and counterterrorism cooperation.
Analysts note that the timing of the reported violence — coinciding with a major religious holiday — may be intentional or simply reflects the unpredictable nature of local clashes. Either way, the fact that worshippers felt compelled to pray for peace at a festival meant for joy illustrates how deeply the prospect of war has penetrated public consciousness. For many Ethiopians, the annual lighting of the Demera has become a symbol of hope in a time of uncertainty.
Church officials have emphasized that peace is a prerequisite for the full observance of religious life. Without security, they argue, pilgrims cannot travel, churches cannot function normally, and communities cannot gather for festivals. The Meskel celebrations this year thus served as both a spiritual refuge and a political statement — a collective plea from the faithful that their country choose the path of dialogue over the path of war.
As the bonfires burned and the ashes were applied to foreheads, the message from worshippers was clear: they want an end to the fighting and a chance to celebrate their faith without fear. Whether their prayers will be answered remains an open question, but the images of thousands calling for peace amid conflict have already sent a powerful signal to Ethiopia's leaders and to the world beyond.
Comments (0)