Religious Fathers Stress Need to Celebrate Christmas by Supporting Needy - ENA English
Religious Fathers Stress Need to Celebrate Christmas by Supporting Needy
Addis Ababa, January 6, 2026 (ENA)—Religious leaders in Ethiopia have called on the faithful to observe the birth of Jesus Christ with a spirit of helping and supporting the needy.
Ethiopian Christians celebrate Christmas tomorrow on the 7th of January.
Leaders of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Ethiopian Catholic Church, and the Ethiopian Council of Gospel Believers' Churches have expressed their best wishes to all Christians on the occasion of Ethiopian Christmas.
In their messages, the religious leaders stressed the need to celebrate Christmas by supporting the needy and supporting one another.
His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, stated that the holiday is a practical demonstration of God's deep love for humanity.
He urged the faithful to celebrate the holiday by supporting the needy alongside prayer and thanksgiving.
For the Patriarch, it is necessary to support and assist those who are facing shortages of food, clothing, and shelter due to various reasons.
He further stressed the need to provide the necessary support that can help them improve their livelihoods in a sustainable manner.
For his part, Ethiopian Catholic Church Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel stressed the importance of reaching out and assisting those in need while celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
During the celebration of the holiday, Christians should visit the sick, frail and helpless by sharing what they have, the Cardinal emphasized.
Ethiopian Council of Gospel Believers' Churches Secretary-General, Reverend Dereje Jemberu expressed his best wishes for Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin to have a joyful Christmas holiday.
Stating that the birth of Jesus Christ demonstrates God's forgiveness and great love for humanity, he underscored the need to resolve differences through reconciliation to achieve lasting peace as followers of the Churches have no other divine mission than to promote love and peace.