Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians have celebrated the annual Meskel Festival in the capital, Addis Ababa. But this year, the usually joyous festivities were overshadowed by the ongoing conflict in the northern Tigray region. ‘For all of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, if we neglect forgiveness and reconciliation, then we have abandoned the cross and surrendered to sin,’ said Abune Mathias, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Many expressed their concern about the ongoing conflict which broke out in Tigray in November 2020. The war has resulted in the death of thousands of civilians, displaced millions of people, and resulted in famine in parts Tigray.

Source: Ethiopian News September 28, 2022 01:52 UTC