Meskel (Feast of the Meskel Cross) in Ethiopia
Description:
In Ethiopia, there is a legend about how the Meskel holiday was born. It is believed that on this day Helena, the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine, after a long search, managed to realize the most cherished desire - to find in Jerusalem the greatest shrine of Christianity - the Cross of the Lord, on which Jesus Christ died a martyr's death in the name of salvation of people.
In honor of this significant event, Empress Helena lit a fire in the main square of Jerusalem. Legend has it that the flames were so high that they were visible in Ethiopia. People cheered and celebrated this event. This happened at the beginning of the fourth century, and since then Meskel is celebrated here every year.
Ethiopians celebrate the holiday very solemnly. As a rule, by three o'clock in the afternoon in the central square of the city, which has the same name as the holiday - Meskel Squea, the apple from visitors nowhere to fall. Almost all residents of Addis Ababa gather here in anticipation of the biggest celebration and the most joyful holiday.
In the middle of the square of yellow flowers (which, by the way, are also called mezcal, in scientific terms - the Williams lophore), a cone-shaped structure is erected, which from afar resembles the incredible size of haystacks. The design is crowned by a cross. After the emotional speech of the patriarch blessing the people of Ethiopia, the performance begins.
Speaking at the Meskel holiday is a special honor. In front of the head of the church on the square are pupils of Sunday schools, dressed in colorful outfits with crosses embroidered on the chest. Children enthusiastically perform religious chants, dance and play mini-performances on subjects related to the history of the holiday.
When the sun hides behind the folds of the mountains and the darkness thickens, the climax of the holiday comes. The patriarch, accompanied by a numerous retinue, a slow walk with a torch in his hands, went to the flower stack. Three solemn prayer circles, and the torch touches the flowers. In a few minutes, a huge bonfire flares up in the center of the square. There is so much heat and light that the sun has returned. Around the blazing fire, songs and dances begin.