The Greater Ethiopia with its Red Sea (Agaezi National Union) Cross-National Festival Message on Meskel (መስቀል)፡ The Finding of the True Cross!!
Meskel brings millions of Agaezi Geez Community Ethiopians and Eritreans together, reminding the world of the richness and endurance of Orthodox Christianity in the Horn of Africa. Through the flame of Damera, the faithful are renewed in spirit and reminded of the strength of their cultural and spiritual roots of Greater Geez Nation, Ethiopia with its Red Sea.
Melkam Meskel! መልካም መስቀል!
Today we celebrate the Finding of the True Cross — a day of faith, light, and unity. As the Damera bonfire rises, may it brighten our hearts with peace, love, and togetherness.
Let the spirit of Meskel remind us that in diversity, we are one people as Agaezi.
መልካም መስቀል!
የመስቀል በአል የእምነት፣ የብርሃን እና የአንድነት ቀን ነው። የዳመራው እሳት ልባችንን በሰላም፣ በፍቅር እና በአንድነት ያብራል።
በመስቀል መንፈስ የተለያዩ በሆንን ሁሉ አንድ ሕዝብ መሆናችንን እንከብር።
The Finding of the True Cross is one of the most important and colorful religious celebrations in both the Ethiopia and Eritrea Geez community. Known as Meskel (መስቀል), this feast commemorates the discovery of the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified — a central symbol in Christian faith.
Geez community /Agaezi in Ethiopia and Eritrea: Celebrated on Meskerem 17 in the Geez Ethiopian calendar (September 27 in the Gregorian calendar or 28th in leap years).It marks the official beginning of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Christian liturgical new year. Ethiopia, Addis Ababa’s Meskel Square hosts the most famous national celebration, often attended by: Patriarchs of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Government officials and Tens of thousands of people, including tourists. Celebrations happen across the country, from big cities to rural villages. After the treasonous scession of of Eritrea by Egypt and other allies, Meskel in Asmara, the capital, the celebration is equally vibrant. The Eritrean Orthodox Church conducts similar rituals: Damera, prayers, and liturgical processions. Local versions include community singing, feasting, and family gatherings.
Meskel (መስቀል) coulorfuly shows the Agaezians (Geez community) United in Heritage, Proud in Culture, Pure and Joyful in Holy Spirit and Strengthened by Diversity! On this joyful occasion of our cross-national celebration, we honor the rich mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions that make Ethiopia not only ancient in history but strong in unity. From the highlands of Tigray to the valleys of the Omo, from the Oromo plains to the Afar deserts, from Amhara’s historic churches to the Sidama’s vibrant rhythms, we gather not as separate nations, but as one resilient people — bonded by our shared hopes, struggles, and dreams for a better future. Let this festival remind us that diversity is not a barrier — it is a blessing. Our Geez traditions, though distinct, are threads in the same national fabric. In song, dance, coffee, and community, we celebrate peace, togetherness, and the promise of a united Ethiopia. May this day bring harmony, renewal, and courage to continue building a just, inclusive, and peaceful nation for all Ethiopians.
Meskel (መስቀል) festival is one of the Greater Ethiopia’s most cherished religious and cultural celebrations of the Agaezi people including its key symbol, Damera (ዳመራ): Celebrated every year on Meskerem 17 (September 27 Gregorian / 28 in leap years). It’s recognized by the Greater Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and is also a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Geez Spiritual /Religious Significance
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Meskel commemorates the discovery of the True Cross divinely guided to the location of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.The holiday is deeply spiritual, symbolizing faith, hope, and unity in Christ. However, currently, the fake liberators such as EPLF and TPLF installed anti-orthodox communist pagans and kensha have made it a political instrument destroying the unified and deep holy spirii, replacing it by all evil acts and spirits. Due to these mafia tyrrannies the Greater Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is now divided into more than 5 areas (Eritrea, Tigray, Shewa, Oromo, Ethiopia etc) making the Agaezi community fragmented, weak and vulnerable for external and internal invaders and genociders. This holiday reaffirms Christian identity and unity, particularly within the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Churches, among the world’s oldest Christian communities. In Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox tradition, this act of faith and divine guidance is celebrated with a symbolic bonfire called Damera (ዳመራ).
Geez Hoya Hoye, Shig-Damera (ዳመራ) – The Bonfire Ceremony፡
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Symbolism: The Damera is a large ceremonial bonfire built from wooden logs and decorated with green grass, yellow Meskel daisies, and colorful cloths. It symbolizes the fire light to find the True Cross — a flame said to have shown the right location. A tall wooden structure made from branches, logs, and decorated with Meskel flowers (bright yellow daisies), green grass, and colorful fabrics. It is built in public squares, church compounds, or villages. Priests, deacons, and congregants gather wearing traditional white garments. The Damera is lit at sunset, often accompanied by: Chants, drumming, ululation, and liturgical dances (e.g., Tewahedo chant and Eskista) The direction in which the bonfire collapses is traditionally seen as an omen for the coming year. Ashes from the Damera are marked in the shape of a cross on the foreheads of the faithful the next day.
The Patriarch or priests light the Damera while chanting hymns and prayers. As the fire burns, people watch how it falls — a spiritual act believed to signal good or bad omens for the year. After the fire dies down, ashes are collected and worn by the faithful on their foreheads in the shape of a cross.
Geez Cultural Aspects
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A nationwide celebration observed by all ages and backgrounds. Streets and homes are decorated with Meskel flowers (yellow daisies). Traditional clothing, Eskista dance, and cultural music fill the day. In Addis Ababa, the biggest celebration takes place at Meskel Square, attended by thousands, including religious leaders, government officials, and foreign dignitaries. St. Mary Cathedral, Asmara, Major site in Eritrea, Agame (Adigrat), The Gurage Zone, in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR), south-west of Addis Ababa and other local churches in villages and towns across both countries. Meskel (መስቀል) is celebrated across Ethiopia, but its regional expressions like among the Gurage in southern Ethiopia and the Agame (Geez-speaking) people in northern Ethiopia reflect unique local customs, foods, songs, and spiritual expressions, all while maintaining the shared religious core of the festival.
Geez Cross-Cultural & National Importance
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Meskel serves as a symbol of unity for Greater Ethiopians across ethnic and regional lines. It blends spiritual devotion with communal joy, reinforcing Greater Ethiopia’s deep-rooted religious and cultural traditions. It is one of the rare events that brings together people from all corners of the country, regardless of language or background. Meskel is more than a religious event — it is a national cultural celebration. It reinforces: Intergenerational bonding, Community unity, Peace and spiritual reflection. It is also a moment to celebrate Ethiopian and Eritrean Christian identity and ancient traditions that predate most of the world’s current religious institutions. In 2013, Meskel was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Geez (Agezi) Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its religious and cultural value.
Once again መልካም መስቀል- “Melkam Meskel!! On this holy and joyful day of Meskel, may the light of the Damera guide our hearts toward peace, love, and unity. Let us celebrate not only the finding of the True Cross but the shared Agaezi spirit, Agaezi culture, Agaezi heritage that binds us as Greater Ethiopians with our Red Sea. May our faith burn as bright as the bonfire, and may our Geez new year 2018 be filled with hope and togetherness as Agaezians & work together to restore our Expansionist Aksumite Civilization with our Red Sea !!
