Ethiopia is a land of varied religious people living in harmony with their own strong religious setting, celebrations and festivals for centuries. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is the earliest in Ethiopia as old as 4th century AD and Christianity has been spread by the 9 – saints/ Monks also they have developed the Monastic life and the development of Monasteries. The country is rich with number of Churches along with interesting paintings, murals, icons and parchments.  Ethiopia is also the final resting place of the Arc of the Covenant and Piece of the Holy Cross. Church Ceremonies are so impressive and unique like that of Genna – Ethiopian Christmas, which lies on 7th or 8th of January and Timket – Ethiopian Epiphany which also lies on 19th or 20th of January.  And pilgrims through out the country as well as tourists around the world will visit those sacred places for their religious value as well as treasures.

Ethiopian Islamic tradition is also strong and old, the bond between Islam and Ethiopia started from early days of Islam. The Prophet had considered Ethiopia an ideal place of refuge and protection for his family and friends, in his biography the Prophet has said “…. If you go to Abyssinia {Al- Habesha} you will find a king under whom none are persecuted it is a just land of righteousness that will give you relief from what you are suffering” since those days the tradition of Islam has it’s owns significant place in Ethiopia. Islamic pilgrims as well as other tourist went to Harare’s Jugol, which is said to be the fourth holiest city of Islam, numbers 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century, and 102 Shrines, as well as the first Mosque of Negash in Tigray, the Sof Omar cave and the Sheik Hussein in Bale.

FESTIVALS

Ethiopia is the home of several beautiful traditional and religious festivals & events celebrated by its diversified ethnic group living with their picturesque native lives in their most natural background. In particular the millennia old songs, hymns and chants of the Ethiopia Orthodox Church are enchanting. The principal festivities include Meskel (the celebration of the findings of the true cross held every September 26th) Genna (The Ethiopian Christmas held every January 7th) and Timket (the Ethiopia Epiphany held every January 19th). The other colorful and engaging cultural phenomenal held either in individual homes or hotels, the coffee ceremony is elaborated and attractive.

MESKEL (THE FINDINGOF THE TRUE CROSS)

This colorful festival fall on September 27 after passing the dark summer time. The word’ Maskal’ means " cross” and the feast commemorates the finding of the true cross by the Empress Helena, who was the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, the famous Roman Emperor. At this time of the year, flowers bloom on mountains and plains, and the meadows are yellow with brilliant Maskal Daisy.

TIMKET (Ethiopian Epiphany)

An important ceremony takes place on 19th January. The priests and laity assembled by a river, spring or pool for a mass baptism which commemorated the Baptism of Christ

GENNA (ETIOPIAN CRISTMAS)

This well-known holiday fall on 7th January. Genna is the name for Ethiopian Christmas. It is celebrated during the same season as that of the west. Christmas starts on the eve with a mid night mass for priests and the faithful. The major church celebrations in Addis Ababa are held at Trinity cathedral and in Lalibella rock-hewed churches.

SHEIK HUSSEN

Ethiopia’s most important place of Muslim Pilgrimage is situated on the borders of Arsi and Bale regions and quite close to the boarder of Harare. The site is visited twice a year by many thousands of pilgrimages from all over eastern Ethiopia, and comprises a large complex of mosques, shrines, and tombs surrounded by a stout wall.