Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church holiday, observed on 27 or 28 September
Meskel
Meskel celebration at Meskel Square, Addis Ababa (2016)
Observed by
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Significance
Discovery of the True Cross by the Roman Empress Helena in the fourth century
Celebrations
People gather and burn a torch natively called chibo in every locales
Fireworks fulmination
Party
Date
27 September
28 September (leap year)
2024 date
27 September
Frequency
Annual
Meskel (Ge'ez: መስቀል, romanized: Mesk’el) is an Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church holiday that commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by the Roman Empress Helena (Saint Helena) in the fourth century. Meskel occurs on the 17 Meskerem in the Ethiopian calendar (27 September, Gregorian calendar, or on 28 September in leap years).[1] "Meskel" (or "Meskal" or "Mesqel", there are various ways to transliterate from Ge'ez to Latin script) is Amharic for "cross".
The festival is known as Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in other Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant churches. The churches that follow the Gregorian calendar celebrate the feast yearly on 14 September.
The feast is held in Meskel Square, named after the festival, in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Religious and civil leaders preside over the celebration, and public figures give speeches and reference biblical themes and stories. Many Ethiopians who live in cities return to their home villages to celebrate the national event. When darkness falls, the Demera is burned.[2] UNESCO inscribed Meskel in 2013 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.[3]
^Rough Guides (2015). "Festivals". The Rough Guide to Ethiopia. Rough Guide to... ISBN 9780241181850.
^Thomas M Landy, "Meskel", Catholics & Cultures updated June 19, 2015
^"Commemoration feast of the finding of the True Holy Cross of Christ". unesco.org. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
Meskel (Ge'ez: መስቀል, romanized: Mesk’el) is an Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church holiday that commemorates the discovery of the True Cross...
Meskel Square (Amharic: መስቀል አደባባይ, romanized: mesik’el ādebabay, lit. 'Cross Square') is a public square in the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is often...
Gebre Meskel (Ge'ez: ገብረ መስቀል gäbrä mäsqäl, "Servant of the Cross") also known as Gabra Masqal was a King of Axum who reigned in the 6th century. He was...
Lalibela (Ge'ez: ላሊበላ), regnal name Gebre Meskel (Ge'ez: ገብረ መስቀል gäbrä mäsqäl, "Servant of the Cross"), was a king of the Zagwe dynasty, reigning from...
mention three sons of Kaleb named Gebre Meskel, Israel and Gebre Krestos, who all reigned as kings after him. Gebre Meskel (or Gabra Maskal) appears on several...
his death. On the other hand, local historian Getachew Mekonnen credits Meskel Kibra, Lalibela's wife, with having one of the rock-hewn churches, Biete...
Biete Meskel (House of the Cross) is an Orthodox underground monolith church carved into rock. It is located in Lalibela, Ethiopia. The edifice was built...
Independencia (Mexico) French Community Holiday (French community of Belgium) Meskel (Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church, following Julian calendar, September...
stretching from Ayat Village to Torhailoch, and passing through Megenagna, Meskel Square, Legehar and Mexico Square. The north-south line, which is 16.9 kilometres...
became a priest of the Holy Ark of Sion. During the reign of Emperor Gebre Meskel (son of Emperor Kaleb), St. Yared significantly gained prominence for his...
as holidays; it is commonly used on the "Finding of the True Cross" or "Meskel" holiday celebrated annually on September 27 in Ethiopia.[citation needed]...
the first hotel in Ethiopia. Meskel Square is one of the noted squares in the city, serving as the site for the annual Meskel at the end of September annually...
1910-06-01. Retrieved 2013-06-30. Winkler 1997, p. 33-40. Brock 2016, p. 45–52. Meskel and the Ethiopians. EOTC Publication Committee, September 2015 Socrates...
Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Frankfurt Airport. An Anbessa bus at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa. A Cooperative Bank of Oromia head office in Addis...
Composite flowers are sometimes used, especially around the celebration of Meskel (an Orthodox holiday celebrated by Eritreans and Ethiopians). The ceremony...
Lancha Legehar Menaheriya Kasanchis Meshualekiya Meskel Flower Mexico Olympia Riche Sar Bet Wello Sefer Meskel Square Addis Ababa railway station "Kirkos Archived...
power in April 2018. He has since performed these songs in Addis Ababa Meskel Square concerts. Nonetheless, the album sold more than a million copies...
of religious chantings around the bonfire in Meskel Square, which owes its name to the ceremony, for meskel means "cross" in Ge'ez. According to tradition...
Gossaye, large display television would be set up in large stadiums and Meskel Square. The concert hall was financed by Saudi billionaire Mohammed al-Amoudi...
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