ADDIS ABABA — Thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians gathered at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa for prayers, singing, processions and the lighting of the Demera bonfire, turning a major religious celebration into an appeal for peace amid renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia.

The festival took place as clashes between Ethiopian federal troops and fighters loyal to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front raised fears of another major conflict. Worshippers at the celebration called for an end to violence and urged Ethiopians to remain united.

Worshippers appeal for peace

Fikreab Lebeza, an Ethiopian Orthodox deacon, said peace was necessary for both religious celebrations and dialogue.

“Peace is essential for everything. Without it, we can neither celebrate our holidays nor engage in meaningful dialogue,” Lebeza said.

Businesswoman Sara Dinkayehu also called for prayers for peace across the country during sacred occasions such as Meskel.

“Peace is vital for our country. As people deeply rooted in faith and values, we Ethiopians should offer earnest prayers for peace during sacred celebrations such as Meskel,” she said.

Orthodox priest Aba Thomas Abeje urged people to reject division and war. Referring to the wood bound together for the Demera bonfire, he said: “Let us cast aside division and war and stand firmly united as one.”

The public gathering also drew visitors from outside Ethiopia. South Korean tourist Jino Kim described the scale of the celebration and the large crowds gathered at the square.

“I can’t believe it, because in South Korea we don’t have those kind of big events; every Ethiopian people came out, and they’re on the same spot, and they celebrate all together like just all. Just awesome!” Kim said.

Festival unfolds as tensions rise

Meskel means “cross” in Amharic and is among the most important celebrations for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. It commemorates the finding of the cross on which Christians believe Jesus was crucified.

According to church tradition, Roman Empress Helena discovered the cross in the fourth century after lighting a bonfire and following the smoke. The Demera fire remains central to the annual observance.

The celebration came as renewed hostilities in Tigray threatened to further weaken the peace agreement signed in Pretoria, South Africa, in November 2022. That agreement ended a two-year war in which hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have died because of fighting, famine and the collapse of health services.

The latest fighting has raised concerns about a return to a wider conflict in northern Ethiopia. Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Tigray after Tigrayan fighters took control of the airport in Mekelle, according to the report.

Residents also reported disruptions to internet services and the closure of roads connecting Tigray with the neighboring Afar region. Those reports were attributed to residents and were not independently verified.

No casualty figures from the renewed fighting were provided.