Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrated the Meskel festival on Wednesday to commemorate the fourth century discovery by Roman Empress Saint Helena (Queen Eleni) of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The festival falls on September 27 or September 28 in a leap year. The procession is either held on the evening before the festival or on the day itself. Meskel festival 2017. pic.twitter.com/md2cD9MAEZ — Sador Ethiopia Tours (@sador_ethiopia) September 27, 2017Little processions are also held at homes and rain is expected at the end of the event to put out the fire. Ashes from the remains of the fire is collected the next day and used to mark the foreheads of faithful with the sign of the cross.

Source: Ethiopian News September 27, 2017 22:52 UTC