WORCESTER — Lead priest Melaku Genet Komodo Aba Teklehaimanot stood in the bed of a gray pickup truck Sunday morning as it circled rainy city streets, uttering prayers of protection as smoke from his swinging censer blended into the overcast sky. “We believe that the virus will die, or it’s not going to come through those areas (that are blessed),” said Gebremichael, one of about 50 parishioners. Gebremichael said the blessing his church offered Sunday is a traditional one people in Ethiopia have been doing for many generations to ward off the flu. He said his small Worcester parish made its first pass Sunday. “We want to do as much as we can,” Gebremichael said, adding that parishioners have also been praying via conference call for an hour each night.

Source: Ethiopian News March 29, 2020 19:41 UTC