Ethiopian Orthodox Christians gathered across Ethiopia on Monday for Epiphany, locally known as Timkat, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist.
In Batu, a town on the western shore of Lake Dambal (Hora-Dambal) in the Oromia Region, thousands of pilgrims entered the lake waters after priests blessed them, symbolically reenacting baptism and drawing on the festival’s themes of purification, renewal, and faith.
In Addis Ababa, many awaited the tabots, described as symbols of the Ark of the Covenant meant to contain the 10 commandments and used to consecrate churches. The tabots were carried to nearby public spaces for overnight prayers and were returned to their home churches the next day, as millions of faithful surrounded the process with overnight vigils.
Similar celebrations were held around the country, including inside the 17th century Fasilides Fortress in Gondar, located in the war-torn Amhara region.
Timkat is seen by the faithful as an important religious holiday, nearly as significant as Easter and Christmas. The festival was inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019.
Bereket Adugna, 43, traveled from Addis Ababa to Batu with his wife and two children and said, “We are celebrating the baptism of Jesus Christ, and our hearts are filled with joy,” according to the Associated Press.
Asnake Dechasa, a deacon, said, “For us Ethiopians, Epiphany is an opportunity to share what we have with those who need our help,” as the ceremonies drew participants who attended services where tabots were escorted by priests in colorful robes and ceremonial umbrellas were carried from churches to lakeshores or rivers amid chants and hymns.
The celebrations came at what the Associated Press described as a challenging time for Ethiopia, with tensions escalating with neighboring Eritrea and famine continuing to worsen. Humanitarian organizations warned that millions of Ethiopians need emergency food aid amid declining humanitarian support from Western nations.