Addis Ababa, 20 January 2016 (WIC) – The follower of Ethiopian Orthodox Church cheerfully celebrated Epiphany in Addis Ababa in particular and throughout the country in general today.
The Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, His holiness Abune Mathias, said after giving benediction to the crowd gathered at Jal Meda let the haves gives to the have not. That is one of main deeds one needs to fulfill while celebrating epiphany, said the patriarch.
Abune Mathias addresses a number of social issues ranging from importance of social justice to the benefits of truth, from corruption to ethical considerations in once life in his grand speech dwelling in to the religious doctrine of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
The patriarch also calls up on the mass to extend their helping hand to drought affected segment of the society and play their part in the country’s effort to implement its grand economic plan, the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP).
“Epiphany means redemption by spiritual power. Thus, while celebrating epiphany you need thrive to ensure your country’s redemption by ensuring peace and development. That can happen when we continue to ensure the fruition of GTP II. I call up on all Ethiopian in and abroad, in every profession to play their part in realizing it, ‘’ said the patriarch.
Meanwhile the representative of the Addis Ababa City Mayor, Gebretsadikan Hagos, said that celebration creates a vital venue to showcase Ethiopia’s tourist potential and intangibles heritage to the world apart from the religious value it carries while addressing the mass gathered at Jal Meda.
He also said that it is a vital avenue to build the country’s image for good.
The representative underscored the need for religious institutions to work with the government on matters of national interest related to enhancing peace and development.
The Festival was attended by a number of religious leaders, diplomats and a number of tourists from different corners of the world apart from hundreds of thousands of the resident of Addis Ababa.