The Meskel holiday is a Christian holiday celebrated by Ethiopian Orthodox and Eritrean Orthodox churches to commemorate the discovery of the True Cross by the Roman Empress Helena (Saint Helena) in the fourth century. This occasion occurs on the 17 Meskerem of the Ethiopian calendar (27 September in the Gregorian calendar or 28 September in leap years). "Meskel" (or "Meskal" or "Mesqel", there are numerous ways to transliterate from Ge'ez to Latin script) is Ge'ez for "cross".
In the Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant churches, the festival is known as the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Those churches that adhere to the Gregorian calendar celebrate this feast every year on the 14th of September.
An impressive feast is held in Meskel Square, which takes its name from the festival, in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. During the celebrations, both religious and civil leaders preside over the event, while public figures speak and share biblical themes and stories.
As part of the celebration of Meskel that takes place across all of Ethiopia on 26 September, it commemorates the unearthing of the True Holy Cross of Christ. It all begins with the construction of the Damera bonfire in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa - a conical pyre made of poles wrapped with branches and lit with torches, decorated with grass and Abyssinian daisies, which symbolise the birth of the New Year. It is expected that there will be hundreds of thousands of people from diverse communities flocking to the square as colourfully dressed priests chant hymns, recite prayers, and perform a rhythmic dance in front of the pyre. After the festival has concluded, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church lights the bonfire. In the United States, Meskel is a national holiday that is celebrated by people of all ages, genders, languages, and ethnicities. During the celebration, participants are believed to receive spiritual rewards from the celebration and blessings from the Holy Cross. The role of local churches in coordinating communities and ensuring the element is protected is extremely important. In addition to the festival being a time of family reunion, migrant workers return home, resulting in an influx of money, information, and new ideas from urban areas to rural ones. Prior to a celebration, personal disagreements and social problems must be resolved.
Meskel provides Ethiopians with a wonderful opportunity to promote their spiritual life through reconciliation, social cohesion, and peaceful coexistence.
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