Millions of Christians have celebrated Timket, the Ethiopian Epiphany, throughout the East African country, with lively traditional singing, rhythmic dancing and communal celebrations. At dawn on Epiphany Day, priests bless the lake water and sprinkle holy water upon the believers. Asnake Dechasa, a deacon at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, emphasised that the celebration of Epiphany goes beyond mere festivity. "The meaning of Epiphany Jesus Christ from Galilee and to, you know, from directly from Galilee to Jordan, okay, and Baptist by Saint John. Holy water is sprayed on Ethiopian Orthodox worshippers, during the celebration of the Ethiopian Epiphany on lake Dembel, in Batu, Ethiopia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Source: Ethiopian News January 20, 2026 11:57 UTC