Meskel

Today I thought I would skip the politics and talk about Meskel. I was amazed at the celebration of Meskel last weekend. We had a big celebration here in Seattle at the St.Gebreil Church. I was always confused about why we celebrate it. I use to think that it was just some celebration but when I got home yesterday I decided to research its history and why we celebrate it. To my surprise most Ethiopians don’t know the exact history either.
First, what is this holiday? Meskel is celebration to remember the discovery of the True Cross. It’s celebrated every year on the 17th of meskrem/around September 27th. The burning of a large bonfire, or better known as Demera is a must for Meskel.
At church I asked a man next to me why we had a bonfire and he told me that it was part of the celebration. I said “I know its part of the celebration but why do we do it, what is the meaning”. Once again the Gentlemen told me it was part of the celebration.
The story of the bonfire goes like this, Queen Eleni had a messenger tell her in her dream that the she shall make a bonfire and that the smoke would show her where the true cross was buried. The next day she commanded everyone in Jerusalem to bring wood and to make a pile. They lit the bonfire and the smoke from the bonfire rose high and came back down to the exact spot where the true cross-had been buried.
This is one of the most amazing things I have ever heard in my life. There is also a believe that part of the cross was brought back to Ethiopia. It is believed to be at Amba Gishen. So if you go to Ethiopia go check out Amba Gishen.