Ethiopian Good Friday Commemorated from Home to Avoid Spread of Pandemic

Addis ababa, April 17/2020( ENA) Millions of Ethiopian Christians have commemorated Good Friday (Siklet) from home today due to the Corona virus outbreak in the country.

Good Friday has been commemorated for centuries in churches and monasteries of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church where huge crowds cry and pray in memory of the sufferings and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  

The outbreak of COVID-19 in the country with 96 positive cases and three deaths so far has, however, forced the government to declare state of emergency that bans mass worship.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the Synod of Ethiopian Orthodox Church had also issued a statement urging followers of the faith to worship keeping physical distance in churches and abide by the state of emergency proclamation in general.

His Holiness Abuna Aregawi, Head of External Affairs at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Office told ENA that all Ethiopian Christians are commemorating Good Friday at home by following the church services through live television and radio transmissions.

“Thanks to the media outlets that have spiritually connected our entire followers we are praying and following the church services,” he added.

His Holiness Abuna Aregawi called on Christians to consolidate their prayers from home in this season of Easter, one of the most important holidays for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, beseeching the Lord to eliminate the virus for us.

Appreciating the moral strengthen of Ethiopians and their unity since the outbreak of COVID-19, he noted that the public should celebrate Easter holiday by supporting the economically vulnerable.

“Honestly speaking, Ethiopians have to be appreciated as they have never shown extreme panic like others around the world. Interestingly, our people have realized that this will pass too if we are spiritually strong and not fearful,” His Holiness Abuna Aregawi stated.

According to him, the church has been following the advice of medical experts across the world and reduced mass gatherings to avoid the spread of Coronavirus.

Prayer services this Easter week will be conducted in all churches and monasteries by priests and deacons, it was learned.