Asmara – Reda Helal : Eritrea today marked the annual celebration of Meskel, the Feast of the Finding of the True Cross, with colorful ceremonies and widespread participation across the country.
The central prayer service took place at Bahti Meskerem Square in Asmara, led by His Holiness Abune Basilos I, the 6th Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church.
The event was attended by senior government and PFDJ officials, ministers, members of the Holy Synod, archbishops, representatives of the diplomatic community, and thousands of the faithful who gathered to share in the spiritual and national significance of the day.
In his keynote address, Memhir Simon Beyene delivered an extensive briefing on the history and meaning of the holiday, extending heartfelt congratulations to the Eritrean people at large, and in particular to the faithful and members of the Defense Forces, wishing them a blessed and joyful Meskel.
Meskel remains one of the most important religious festivals in Eritrea and Ethiopia, commemorating the discovery of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, according to Orthodox tradition. The holiday is typically marked with prayers, processions, and the lighting of traditional bonfires, symbolizing faith and unity within the community.