BY LEULSEGED WORKU
The festival of Easter, which marks the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after his Crucifixion, is being celebrated among the adherence of the faithful.
After close to two months of fasting times, abstaining from meat and dairy products, today, Ethiopian Christians are celebrating Fasika or Tinsae (to mean Easter in Amharic language), warmly and joyfully, in a manner taking into account the core value of the religion- being considerate to the needy ones; sense of forgiveness among others as the Easter Holyday is about love and mercy, compassionate, and thoughtfulness.
Following the holy day, religious fathers of various churches extended their best wishes to the faithful; and conveyed their messages. They called on devotees to celebrate the festivals in a manner practicing the basic teachings of the religions, promoting love, compassion, forgiveness, national unity and reconciliation. They also urged to be considerate to the unfortunate segments of the society and share what they have with them while celebrating the holy days.
Likewise, meals and supplies sharing and programs were also held by various institutions, the Office of the Prime Minister and Mayor Office of Addis Ababa to the low earner residents of the city in relation to Easter and the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holy days to show love, belongingness and togetherness.
In a message extended to all believers, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church (EOTC), His Holiness Abune Mathias, said that when faithful Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they must practice the culture of helping each other, cement and sustain national unity.
“When we celebrate Easter, we should feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the deprived, visit the sick, comfort the distressed, as well as make a pledge to contribute our part for the sake of peace and ensure nation’s unity through reconciliation. God has given us forgiveness and reconciled with us by the blood of Jesus Christ! Let all Christians understand the wage paid for us and embrace this truth.”
The Patriarch also extended best wishes to all living at home and abroad and urged them to extend their hands to those who are in need while celebrating the holy day. The Patriarch also underlined that we, Ethiopians, should practice the culture of discussion at the expense of competition. “After all, let us stop competing with each other, let discussion come first. Let us not forget the value of peace, unity and love. Ethiopia is more than enough for all of us.”
Head of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew also conveyed a message to the followers of the faith that when we celebrate Easter; let us change the hate speech into good news of resurrection and pray for our brothers to bring peace.
Everyone should be respected without prejudice and let us create love and be ready to have a good relationship with anyone. “If there is conflict or any disagreement between our brothers let solve only through round table discussion, no one’s blood shouldn’t be spilled”
On his part, Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia (ECFE), President Pastor Tsadiku Abdo on his part said that while celebrating the festival of Easter, Christians should practically exercise and show compassion to those who are suffering from both manmade and natural disasters.
According to him, all the sufferings Jesus had been through is for the sake of humanity and to show the extent of His love for all mankind. Thus, he added “We have to take all the deeds of Jesus Christ as a model. He responded to His enemies not with the same hostility they showed to Him but by love and forgiveness.
While celebrating the holy day, the faithful have to give more space in their heart to love, peace, reconciliation and forgiveness, to show kindness and belongingness to the needy living in our surroundings. “We have to refrain from injustice, revenge, conspiracy and other immoral deeds for the sake of peace and unity.”
The Pastor also urged Christians to show compassion and support the needy in every possible way. In his message to faithful Christians, President of Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), Rev. Yonas Yigezu (PhD) also called upon the adherents of Christian faith to be agents of love, peace and compassion.
Rev. Yonas also urged all the business communities and others to show their Ethiopian sentiment by discharging their social, spiritual and moral responsibilities and refraining from burdening the society so as to collect unreasonable profit.
After sharing meals with more than 256 thousands of low-income residents living in the capital, City Mayor Adanech Abebie said: “In relation to the Easter and Eid al-Fitr holy days, we shared meals. We have also renovated 555 houses of the vulnerable ones. While we are sharing meals for residents joining hands with investors and residents of the city, it is an activity that demonstrates our love and togetherness for fellow citizens; and our commitment and readiness to serve the people as we promised.”
She also extended her heartfelt gratitude to those kindhearted individuals and residents of the Capital and volunteers who shared what they have to the vulnerable group with the notion of “Those who give freely and generously experience more blessings.”
Happy Ethiopian Easter!!!
The Ethiopian Herald April 16/2023
