Timkat-Feast of Epiphany is celebrated with grandeur in Addis Ababa. The celebration lasts for three days. The festival is very popular among the people of the city and usually falls two weeks after Christmas in the middle week of January. Timkat-Feast of Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ. This festival attracts many tourists to Addis Ababa.
The festival starts on the Eve of Timkat. On the second day people commemorate Christ's baptism in the Jordan River by John, the Baptist. The final day of the festival is devoted to the Feast of St. Michael, the seraph, one of most popular saints of Ethiopia.
About Timkat -Feast of Epiphany
The night before the commencement of the festival, priests take the Tabots from all the city churches, which are replicas of the Ark of the Convent and contain the Ten Commandments. The Tabots, kept concealed inside an ornamental cloth are taken to tents set up at
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Jan Meda, which lies to the northeastern direction of Addis Ababa. This act is accompanied by blowing trumpets and ringing of bells.
People attend the Mass at around 2.00 am in the morning with oil lamps. The priest extinguishes a candle burning on a pole near the sacred river. Some of the worshippers leap into the river after this act. Following this the Tabots are taken back to the churches and the festivities continue.
Celebration during Timkat-Feast of the Epiphany
Arrangements for Timkat-Feast of Epiphany start well in advance in Addis Ababa. The feast that takes place during the festival is extravagant and large. During the festival, special breads are baked. People consume beverages as a part of the festival. They also wear new clothes and gather on the city streets. This festival is celebrated in all parts of Ethiopia with fun and grandeur
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