Ethiopian Orthodox Lent: Traditions and Customs

Dec 10, 2025 0

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church holds fasting as a significant practice, rooted in the teachings of Saint Paul to "chastise the body and bring it under subjection" (1 Corinthians 9:27). This article delves into the traditions and customs of the Ethiopian Orthodox Lent, offering insights into the fasting practices, liturgical observances, and the spiritual significance of this period.

During fasts, followers typically partake in only one meal a day, consumed in the afternoon or evening. The fasting regimen prohibits meat, dairy, and eggs, leading to a rich variety of vegan dishes in Ethiopian cuisine. Common ingredients include legumes like split peas (ክክ, kək or kikki) and lentils (ምስር, məsər or birsin), as well as vegetables such as potatoes (ድንች, Dənəch), carrots, and chard (ቆስጣ).

Typical Ethiopian fasting food, featuring various vegan dishes.

The Great Lent (Abiy Tsome)

Abiy Tsome, or the Fast of Great Lent, is a strict period of fasting and prayer observed by Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christians. It lasts for eight weeks (55 days) before Easter (Fasika). This period involves abstaining from meat, dairy, and eggs, and increasing participation in church services and spiritual practices.

Sundays of the Great Lent

Each Sunday of the Great Lent holds special significance:

The First Sunday: Focuses on the incarnation of God, born from the Holy Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. It emphasizes the love of Jesus Christ as the path to finding God and eternal life.
Kedeset (The Second Sunday): Highlights Holiness, urging abstention from sin and separation from the devil, mirroring Jesus Christ's departure for fasting and prayer. Sanctification involves not only abstaining from inherited sins but also accepting Jesus Christ.
Mekurab: This Geez word for "temple" exemplifies Jesus Christ's preaching in the Temple. It reminds us of the Church Liturgy as a place of worship and devotion.
Mestagu: Commemorates the bedridden man healed by Jesus on the fourth Sunday. It exemplifies Jesus's mercy for those physically and spiritually ill due to their sins.
Deberzeit: Represents the Mount of Olives, where Jesus taught his disciples about his first and second coming, the signs of Armageddon, judgment day, and the resurrection.
The Sixth Great Theme: Poses the question, "Who is the wise and faithful servant?" The answer lies in how we live our lives awaiting Christ's return, being faithful to God, the Church, and family, and holding steadfastly to the traditions and faith of Christ's Church.
Nicodemus: Recalls Nicodemus, a Jewish leader who sought knowledge from Jesus at night. Jesus welcomed him and explained the path to salvation and the Kingdom of God.
Hosanna (Palm Sunday): Commemorates Jesus's final journey to Jerusalem on a colt, acknowledged by the people as the Son of David. It exemplifies Jesus as the good shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep.

Holy Thursday/Prayer Thursday

Holy Thursday in Passion Week is a day of prayer, venerating the celebration of the Passover of Jesus Christ with his disciples during the Last Supper.

A stained glass depiction of the Last Supper.

The Holy Week according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

Sacramentals

SACRAMENTALS are prayers, actions, and blessed objects used to obtain spiritual and temporal benefits through faith and the Church's prayers. The most important sacramental is the sign of the cross, reminding us of Jesus's sufferings and death. It's made from above downwards and from left to right, symbolizing deliverance and redemption. The cross is central to the liturgy and is used in blessings, sacraments, and ceremonies.

The Ethiopian Cross

The cross is a vital emblem in the Ethiopian Church, symbolizing redemption through Jesus Christ's death. The Finding of the True Cross by St. Helena is commemorated on Masqal, celebrated on September 27th. Churches contain wooden and silver crosses, with a large red bronze cross for regular use and a silver cross for festivals. The deacon carries large crosses with a wooden handle (matsor) to avoid touching them directly. The Ethiopian cross is typically a Greek cross with elaborate designs, used for ornamental and practical purposes.

Read also: Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine

An example of an Ethiopian Cross.

The cross is an insignia of clergymen, held in the left hand and kissed by the people. It's used in Mass, sacraments, processions, and on tombs. Attached to a cord, it's worn around the neck from childhood. The solemnity with which Ethiopian Christians treat the cross is evident during Maskal.

Holy Water

Holy water, blessed by the priest, is used to seek blessings and protection from darkness. It symbolizes interior purification and is used to sanctify objects. Sprinkling with holy water is part of many ceremonies, such as after a child's birth, blessing cords (mateb), and exorcising demons. It may also be used for the sick.

Other Important Elements

Vestments: Garments worn by ministers during sacred duties, with colors like white, red, blue, violet, and black. Bishops wear a crown, a pastoral staff, and carry a small hand cross.
Holy Oil: Used in sacraments, consecrations, and blessings. The priest consecrates the oil at Baptism and blesses the holy chrism for confirmation.
Lights: Beeswax candles are used for liturgical purposes, placed on altars during Mass, processions, sacraments, and funerals.
Beads: Used for counting prayers, especially 'kyrie elison,' with strings of beads.
Palm: Emblematic of victory, blessed and distributed on Palm Sunday, and tied around the wrist.
Wands (archumi or tsabart): Distributed by priests on Palm Sunday for the triumphant procession.
Incense: Aromatic resin burned on glowing coals, symbolizing zeal, virtue, and the ascent of prayer. It's used in the liturgy and to honor sacred objects and persons.
Bells: Used for summoning the faithful, giving alarms, and during Mass, consecration, processions, and funerals.

Additional Fasting Periods

Besides the Great Lent, the Ethiopian and Eritrean liturgical calendars include several other major fasts:

Tsome Hawariat (Fast of the Apostles): Commemorates the Apostles' fasting and prayer before spreading the message of Jesus Christ.
Tsome Nenewe (Fast of the Ninevites): Honors the repentance of the people of Nineveh after Jonah's message.
The Fast of the Holy Mary: Held in August for 14 days, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Tsome Nebiyat (Fast of the Prophets): Commemorates the prophets of the Old Testament.
Tsome Gehad: Observed in the weeks leading up to the Feast of the Annunciation.
Tsome Dihinet (Fast of Wednesdays and Fridays): Abstaining from animal products on Wednesdays and Fridays.

An Ethiopian Orthodox Church service.

Fasting in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is not merely about abstaining from food; it involves spiritual reflection, prayer, and acts of kindness. As Saint John Chrysostom (Kidus Yohannes Afework) said, "Do you fast? Show me your works!"