By Simon Berhane
Addis Ababa, Apr 5 (EFE).- Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians gathered Sunday at Bole Medhanialem Church in Addis Ababa to celebrate Palm Sunday, with many expressing hopes for peace amid ongoing instability and economic challenges in the country.
The celebration, which marks the beginning of Orthodox Holy Week and commemorates Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem riding a donkey, featured a procession in which worshipers dressed in traditional attire carried palm leaves, branches, and other plants to recreate the biblical scene.
Others walked across white robes laid out by children along the procession route.
“I arrived here at 5:00 a.m. (2:00 GMT). I’m very happy to be part of this event as a Christian. It’s truly phenomenal,” Banchiayehu Gizachew, 29, a resident of Addis Ababa dressed in traditional clothing and palm-leaf headbands, told EFE.
Megabi Hadis Alemayehu, a prominent preacher of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, led the ceremony and highlighted the religious significance of the day.
“This is the day when Jesus Christ revealed His true identity as a humble king who entered riding a donkey to bring salvation,” he told EFE.
The celebration also drew many young people and children, including 12-year-old Brook Ayele, who attended with his family dressed in traditional white attire.
“I’ve come with my family. I can learn a lot from Him. From His life I can learn humility,” he said.
Concern over instability
Despite the festive atmosphere, many Ethiopians expressed concern about the country’s security and economic situation after years of conflict that have caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and displaced millions.
Ethiopia continues to face ethnic-based tensions, while concerns are growing over potential conflict with neighboring Eritrea over access to the Red Sea, which Ethiopia lost following Eritrea’s independence in 1991.
Kidane Hailessilassie, 39, a mechanic from Mekelle in the war-ravaged Tigray region, expressed fears of renewed conflict involving the government, Eritrea, and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
“The two-year war in Tigray was devastating, and now another phase of warfare looms. Thinking about it keeps me awake at night,” he said.
Economic concerns also weighed on attendees, with Kassahun Belete, 47, a trader from Addis Ababa, pointing to the impact of global tensions, including the Middle East conflict and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Internal instability and the impact of the war in the Middle East still concern me. It’s a concern for everyone in Ethiopia,” he said.
Haile Tilahun, a truck driver, said the conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran has contributed to fuel shortages in Ethiopia, which imports more than half of its fuel from the Middle East.
“In recent weeks, we have seen long lines at gas stations due to fuel shortages. It’s becoming commonplace,” he said, adding that rising prices of basic goods are also affecting livelihoods.
Tilahun said he prayed for an end to the crises affecting the country. EFE
ag-sk
