Timkat - Ethiopian

Hello! I am Timkat. I am a very special holiday for people who belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. My name might sound new to you, but my celebration is full of joy. People observe me to remember something important that happened a long, long time ago. They remember the day that Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. Another name for my celebration is Epiphany.

My celebration begins with a big, happy parade. You can see so many beautiful things! Priests from the churches wear special robes in all sorts of bright colors. They also hold large umbrellas that are covered in pretty decorations. It is a wonderful sight. In the parade, the priests carefully carry sacred objects. These are called Tabots. The Tabots are special copies of something from a long time ago called the Ark of the Covenant. The priests carry them from inside the churches to a special tent that is set up near a river or a pool of water.

The next morning, my celebration continues. People wake up and gather together by the water. A priest says a special prayer to bless the water. Then, something fun happens! The priest sprinkles the blessed water on everyone. This helps them remember their own baptism. It is a moment of happiness and thinking. After the water blessing, there is more celebrating. People sing happy songs and dance together. The priests carry the Tabots in another parade, all the way back to the churches. It is a joyful time for everyone.