Christmas

Ethiopia and especially the Ethiopian orthodox church still uses the old Julian calendar ,so they

celebrate charisma’s on January 7th it is not December 25th .Ethiopia orthodox church is called

/GENNA/most people go to church mass on Christmas eve of 6pm and the serviced finished 3am

because Jesus Christ’s birth described in Christian Bible.

Christman’s, which celebrated on ledat comes from meaning imminent and which express coming the

Lord and the freeing of mankind from sins. The celebration has different activities. Most people go to a

labile which means church under the ground. They celebrate attractive way and especially place. Also

people come all over the world. it is very popular. Moreover many people get-together cook a lot of

food, make homemade beverage. They give clothes and food to whom is in need. Therefore, they get

blessed by God. Also, we have to have 40 days to vegan fasting. You must give breakfast to people who

do not have food. Ethiopians are not allowed to keep the food or money during the 40 days of fasting.

Every one dresses in white clothes called tine, white cotton wrap with bright colored stripes across the

end, it represents to the charisma’s holyday. In addition, they decorate the house beautifully. They

invite each other for eating food.

All in all, Ethiopian Christmas is specially holyday for orthodox Christians to remember Jesus Christ’s

birth. Also they believe it is a blessing day.