Meskel Demera being celebrated colorfully across Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, September 26, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopian Christians are marking the Meskel Demera festival, celebrating the Finding of the True Cross, with vibrant religious and cultural events nationwide.

In Addis Ababa, the celebrations are being led by His Holiness Abune Matias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, alongside the Mayor of Addis Ababa, Ms. Adanech Abiebie and Minister of Culture and Sports Ms. Shewit Shanka.
The festival at Meskel Square is also attended by ministers, senior government officials, foreign ambassadors based in the capital, and tourists from around the world.

The event features performances by Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church (EOTC) clergy and Sunday school students, who are presenting hymns and traditional rituals to honor the discovery of the True Cross.

Meskel Demera is renowned as one of Ethiopia’s most colorful and widely attended outdoor religious festivals. Its global significance was recognized in 2013 when UNESCO inscribed it as an Intangible World Heritage, highlighting both its spiritual importance and rich cultural heritage.