Source: Xinhua| 2018-09-27 17:28:07|Editor: zhVideo Player CloseADDIS 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. 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.

Source: Ethiopian News September 27, 2018 09:31 UTC