Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians have celebrated the periodic Meskel Festival in the capital

The day commemorates the fourth century discovery, by the Roman Empress St Helena, of the so- called ‘ True Cross ’ on which Jesus was believed to have been crucified.

But this time, the generally joyful fests were overshadowed by the ongoing conflict in the northern Tigray region. In their speeches, religious and civil leaders called for peace.

‘ For all of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, if we neglect remission and conciliation, also we've abandoned the cross and surrendered to stray, ’ said Abune Mathias, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Shadow of war

Security was tight in Meskel Square as hundreds of preachers, musicians, and vocalizers wearing white blankets gathered to celebrate the day. numerous expressed their concern about the ongoing conflict which broke out in Tigray in November 2020.

It has since spread to neighbouring regions, bending the Ethiopian Federal Army against forces pious to the Tigray People's Liberation Front( TPLF), which is the party that controls the region’s government.

The war has redounded in the death of thousands of civilians, displaced millions of people, and redounded in shortage in corridor Tigray.

‘ The cross signifies conciliation. It restored peace and abolished conflict. The conflict between our two sisters should be answered through conciliation. It’s imperative for the parties to come to an agreement and live in peace as we did ahead, ’ said Tsegaye Gidey, a clerk who attended the event.

Hoping for peace

The day is a public vacation in Ethiopia, which is home to the world’s second largest population of Orthodox Christians. numerous of those who live in metropolises return home to their townlets to celebrate the event.

Meron Tesfahun was one of thousands of addicts who took part in the fests.

‘ May God help us pass through this time and help us to bring back our former love, which is my big prayer. We must each fall to our knees and supplicate for peace, ’ she said.

As the periodic campfire was lit, her words echoed the sentiment of people across Ethiopia who are calling for an end to the civil war.