Ethiopians across the country are celebrating Orthodox Christmas, known locally as Genna, following centuries-old traditions rooted in faith, discipline, and unity.
The celebration begins on January 6, Christmas Eve, and continues on January 7, in line with the ancient Julian calendar used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. While much of the world marked Christmas weeks ago, Ethiopia observes the season differently, holding firmly to a spiritual calendar that has remained unchanged for generations.
On Christmas Eve, thousands of worshippers gathered in major cities such as Addis Ababa and the historic town of Lalibela. Dressed almost entirely in white, believers filled church compounds, holding candles as they sang hymns and joined all-night prayer sessions. The atmosphere was solemn but powerful, marked by deep reflection and devotion.
The white garments, often simple and traditional, symbolise purity and spiritual renewal. As candles lit up the night, prayers echoed through the hours, creating scenes that many described as both emotional and humbling. For the faithful, Christmas Eve is not about celebration alone. It is about preparation.
The vigil also marks the end of a 43-day fast observed by Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia. During this period, believers abstain from animal products and focus on prayer, repentance, and discipline. The fast is considered a spiritual journey, leading worshippers toward the birth of Christ with a cleansed body and mind.
By the morning of January 7, the mood shifts.
Christmas Day, or Genna, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Church services continue early into the day, followed by family gatherings and traditional meals that break the long fast. For many Ethiopian families, this moment carries deep meaning. It is not just a feast, but a reward after weeks of spiritual sacrifice.
Unlike the commercialised Christmas celebrations seen elsewhere, Ethiopian Christmas remains deeply religious. There are no flashy decorations or gift exchanges dominating the season. Instead, the focus is on worship, community, and shared faith. This simplicity is part of what keeps the tradition strong.
In places like Lalibela, home to the famous rock-hewn churches, the celebrations carry even greater weight. Pilgrims travel long distances to pray in spaces carved from stone centuries ago. The sense of history is impossible to ignore. Each prayer, each hymn, connects the present to the past.
At a time when many societies are divided, Genna continues to serve as a symbol of unity in Ethiopia. Regardless of background or status, worshippers stand side by side in white, sharing the same prayers and traditions. It is a reminder of how faith can bring people together across generations.
As Ethiopia marks Orthodox Christmas today, the celebrations stand as a testament to resilience, belief, and cultural identity. In a fast-changing world, Genna remains a powerful expression of continuity, showing how ancient traditions still shape modern life.
For Ethiopians, Christmas is not just a date on the calendar. It is a sacred journey, one that begins with fasting, passes through prayer, and ends in quiet celebration of faith.
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