Published Thu, Jan 07, 21.
Written by Scott Chleborad.
Ethiopia uses the Julian calendar, so the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and Evangelical Churches celebrate the birth of Christ on January 7. The day is known as Ganna in Ethiopia. The day before Ganna, people fast all day. On the morning of the 7th, everyone dresses in white, most in a traditional ‘shamma’ which is a thin white cotton wrap, and attend the early mass at 4:00 AM. The Priests wear turbans and red and white robes and carry beautiful embroidered and fringed umbrellas.
Modern Orthodox Churches in Ethiopia are built in concentric circles. The choir assembles in the outer circle and the congregation, holding flickering candles and in a slow procession circles the church three times before occupying the second circle. The center circle is the holiest place in the church, which is where the priest serves the Holy Communion.
Modern Evangelical Christmas services in Ethiopia very much resemble the services we are used to in the US, with a pulpit, pews and choir arranged in standard church fashion. The exception that adds beauty and grace to the service is the traditional Ethiopian white clothing standard.
At day break on the morning of the 7th, the fast is broken with a light meal. Later in the day a Doro Wat (a spicy stew with meat, vegetables and sometimes eggs is eaten. Injera, Ethiopian flatbreads are used to scoop up and eat the stew.
Twelve days after Ganna, on January 19th Ethiopians begin Timkat, the three day celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ, and the beginning of his earthly ministry.
Merry Christmas to our students, families and staff in Ethiopia. May this season of celebration be a blessing and an encouragement to each and every one of you!