Ethiopian Orthodox Church Marks Festival of the Holy Cross
September 28, 2016
The finding of the True Cross ( Meskel ) celebrated on September 26, 2016 before the presence of the Patriarch, Archbishops, Directors of departments of the patriarchate, heads of churches and monasteries, priests and preachers, members of Sunday schools, many thousands of believers, senior government officials and visitors from various parts of the world at Meskel square in Addis Ababa. The feast celebrated across the nation similarly in other public squares in the rest of Ethiopia.
His Holiness Abune MathiasI, Patriarch of Ethiopia, Archbishop of Axum and Ichege of the See of Saint Taklehaimanot said that the festivity of Cross forces us to remember two things: first, Christ and His love; second, God’s salivation that took place on the cross. Meskel (Cross) preaches about peace, unity, freedom, reconciliation and testifies about salivation of mankind, God’s saving plan and the sing of victory, he added.
The main reason why the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of Cross (Meskel) is that the cross abolished separation wall between God and mankind, instead it teaches about peace, unity, brotherhood, morality, respect, trust and tolerance. It mainly brings a perfect and lasting love. He also appreciates the registration of Meskel festivity in UNESCO as intangible world heritage in the name of Ethiopia since through which we get favorable ground in the world forum to preach the Cross and hence we shall glorified our great God who gifted us this opportunity.