Coptic Easter in Eritrea

Coptic Easter, also known as Orthodox Easter, is one of the most significant religious holidays in Eritrea, a country with a notable Orthodox Christian population. This celebration follows the Julian calendar, which often results in a different date for Easter than that observed by Western Christian churches using the Gregorian calendar.

History

The history of Coptic Easter is tied to the early Christian traditions and the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which established the date for Easter as the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox. Coptic Christians in Eritrea are mainly members of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which split from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and was officially recognized in 1993.

Traditions

Eritrean Coptic Christians engage in a period of Lenten fasting for 55 days leading up to Easter Sunday, abstaining from all meat and dairy products. This fast is broken on Easter after a night-long church service that culminates in a joyful celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection.

On Easter Sunday:

• Church Services: The community attends special church services that include prayers, hymns, and liturgies unique to this holy day.
• Fasting Ends: The fasting period concludes with a feast where families enjoy special dishes like injera (a sourdough flatbread) with various stews and meats.
• Home Visiting: It’s common for people to visit friends and family members’ homes to exchange greetings and share meals.
• Eggs: Similar to other traditions around the world, eggs are dyed red symbolizing the blood of Christ and new life.

What People Do On This Day

• Attend Midnight Mass: Many attend a midnight mass or service that goes into the early hours of Easter Sunday.
• Feasting: After service, families come together to enjoy an elaborate meal breaking their fast.
• Socializing: The day is often spent visiting relatives and neighbors to celebrate together.

Coptic Easter is not only a time for religious observance but also an opportunity for reinforcing social bonds within communities across Eritrea.