ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Christians on Thursday are celebrating Meskel, the Finding of the True Cross on which Christ was crucified on Good Friday.
In Ethiopia, Meskel is celebrated annually on September 27 or September 28 in a leap year commemorating the fourth century discovery by Roman Empress Saint Helena (Queen Eleni) of the True Cross.
The eve of Meskel, September 26, is marked by the burning of a large bonfire, locally called 'Demera' in Amharic language, at churches, villages and household levels.
Especially, the eve is celebrated colorfully by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church at Meskel Square in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa with the burning of huge bonfire and procession by priests, deacons, Sunday School students with spiritual chants and songs.
The colorful and elaborate celebration at the Square is annually attended by archbishops, senior government officials, diplomats as well as tens of thousands of adherents and tourists.
According to church account, the bonfire and procession commemorate that Queen Eleni was directed to the True Cross through a dream in which she was told to start a bonfire and follow the smoke to where the Cross was buried.
In early morning of Meskel, Orthodox adherents go to the nearby churches and make signs of cross with ashes of the bonfire burnt on the eve.
In Ethiopia, Meskel and other holidays are celebrated traditionally with unique customs, whereby people prepare special traditional foods and drinks and visit each other with exchanging of seasonal greetings.
