BY DARGIE KAHSAY
The Ethiopian orthodox Tewahdo Church last Thursday celebrated Timket, Ethiopian Epiphany; a holiday that commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ at the hands of John the Baptist at Jordan River. To honor the actions of Jesus who headed to Jordan river to get baptized, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church annually kicks off the celebration on the eve of Timket, named Ketera.
Timket is marked on 19th of January annually and the celebration usually starts on Ketera. It is a place where Tabots, replicas of the Arks of the covenants, carried by priests, cluster leaving their respective churches and marches to the nearest water sources where communal baptism is to take place. Natural rivers and lakes are selected or artificial ponds prepared for the purpose.
There the Tabots stay the whole night until the next day near the water. Different religious ceremonies and practices continue the whole night including praying, singing and other activities. In a similar fashion, the practice ripples across the whole churches throughout the country. A uniform practice takes place across the whole churches.
On the 19th of January this year here in Addis, the Timket celebration started with a morning mass. Then the patriarch, archbishops, priests and clergies blessed the waters and sprinkled the holy water from the holy bath on the crowd comprising the orthodox faithful. Then, the Tabots started the return route to their respective churches. Priests, Sunday school youths and the whole faithful tag along ululating, clapping, singing and praying all along the streets to honor the Tabots.
Timket promotes, peace, unity, harmony, cultural and spiritual values of Ethiopia and the celebration is common and uniform across the whole churches of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church.
Patriarch, Arch Bishops blessing the
baptismal water at Jan-Meda
The above shot was taken during the Timket celebration of 2023 at Addis Ababa’s Jan-Meda Timket center. Jan-Meda is known for its colorful celebration of Timket festival annually. On the eve, Twelve Tabots leave their respective churches to stay for the whole night gathered at jan-meda Timket center found around Sidist Kilo area in the heart of Addis Ababa.
The Patriarch of the Ethiopian orthodox Tewahdo Church annually presides over the Jan-Meda Timket celebration and lead the whole ceremonial celebration of the church. The patriarch this year too led the praying, blessing and other religious activities including blessing the holy water and sprinkling the holy water on the faithful.
The above picture was taken while Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Abune Matiyas and Arch Bishops of the church blessing the waters readied for baptizing the faithful. The blessing of the water comes next to a morning adoration of the Almighty God. Then the whole people attended the ceremony baptized by the holy water. After baptism, everyone started the return journey accompanying the Tabots back to their respective churches with religious songs, praying, chants and traditional dances.
Gondar colorfully celebrated
Timket festivity
Though celebrated across Ethiopia by Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church colorfully, Timket celebration is unique in the historic city of Gondar. Gondar is a symbol of unity, togetherness, patriotism and compassion in Ethiopia. Timket celebration is something unique in this beautiful, historic and hospitable city.
Forty four Tabots are found in Gondar and its environs and the celebration of Timket in Gondar is something magnificent. The ceremony takes place in the historic castle of Fasiledes. The water used for baptism is the bathing pool of King Fasil, which was built in the 17th Century.
The above shot was taken during this year’s Timket celebration at Gondar. The faithful are seen swimming in the bath following priests’ blessing of the water. It is not just a swimming practice. It is rather a baptism and this activity is becoming an annual tradition since the 17th century.
The area is filled by the faithful wearing traditional white clothes. Similarly it is decorated by Ethiopia’s tricolor referencing the unity and peace of Ethiopia and the prices forefathers paid for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
Timket beautifully celebrated
in Adama
This shot was taken during Timket celebration in Adama city. Faithful youths are seen in the pictures waiting for a holy water to be sprinkled by the priests.
Adama is also among the places where Timket is celebrated colorfully. The religious practice is common in all areas. The above picture indicates that the youth are waiting on the outer flank. Women, children and the elderly are on the front to get baptized first. This helps to control stampedes and thronging, and the youth are waiting behind. This is a beautiful picture to showcase reverence and humility.
Timket was colorfully celebrated in the ancient city
of Axum thanks to restored peace
Axum is the ancient city of Ethiopia and the base of the ancient civilization of Axumite Kingdom of Ethiopia. It is believed that Christianity entered into Ethiopia during the Axumite civilization through Axum. The holy city of Axum is also believed to be the home of the Ark of the Covenants.
Timket in Axum is annually celebrated at May-Shum, a center prepared to celebrate Timket since the Axumite civilization, Timket celebration is among the magnificent ones in May-Shum.
It was risky to celebrate Timket during the past two years due to the war in Northern Ethiopia. The faithful of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church of Axum celebrated this year’s Timket festival colorfully at May-Shum, thanks to the restoration of peace and stability following the Pretoria’s Agreement between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and TPLF.
The above shot was taken during this year’s celebration of Timket at May-Shum. The faithful are seen swimming in the bath while others quad up waiting their turn to be baptized by the holy and blessed water. The spiritual ceremony is common across the whole churches.
Timket colorfully celebrated
in Batu city
Though the spiritual ceremony is similar across the whole churches of EOTC, the Timket celebration in Batu is somewhat unique and magnificent to attend. Batu is found around 160 KM from the capital, Addis Ababa and is replete with natural lakes.
The Timket celebration in Batu includes the tours of Tabots by boats to bless the waters of the lakes. Faithful celebrants are seen in the picture above by the sides of the beautiful lake, Hara Dembel Lake.
Following the Tabots march to the lake and the priests and clergies’ blessing the waters of the lake; celebrants use the waters to baptize. The religious practice, religious songs, chanting, praying and dancing included beautiful traditional songs that went on the whole day until the Tabots arrive their churches.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 22 JANUARY 2023
