We're here to help you keep count of the days to or since a date. Just click the button below and enter your chosen date to get started. Also choose the suggested days or search for a special day above #countingthedays
Ethiopian Christmas Day
00
Days
00 :
00 :
00
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Many Orthodox churches annually celebrate Christmas Day on or around January 7. This event commemorates the story of Jesus Christ’s birth, according to the Christian Bible.
Ethiopian Christmas Day in Ethiopia
Ethiopian Christmas, known as Genna or Ledet, is celebrated by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church on January 7th, in accordance with the Julian calendar. This date corresponds to December 25th on the Gregorian calendar but occurs 13 days later due to a difference in the two calendars.
History and Traditions
The history of Genna is closely tied to religious traditions and the belief that the day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration of Christmas in Ethiopia is rooted in ancient Christian liturgy and has been observed for centuries by adherents of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Traditional customs during Genna include:
Fasting and Preparation: Many Ethiopians fast on Christmas Eve (January 6th), known as Gahad, refraining from eating until midday on Christmas Day after attending church service.
Church Services: The faithful attend an all-night church service that starts on Christmas Eve and culminates in the early hours of Genna. These services are marked by choral singing and liturgy.
Cultural Attire: People often dress in traditional white clothing called "Shamma," a thin white cotton wrap with brightly colored stripes across the ends.
Feasting: After church services, families gather to enjoy a feast that includes dishes like "Doro Wat" (spicy chicken stew) and "Injera" (spongy flatbread). Meat consumption resumes following the fasting period.
Activities on Genna
On Ethiopian Christmas Day, people engage in various activities that include:
Gift-Giving: While not as commercialized as Western celebrations, some gift-giving does occur, primarily focusing on children receiving clothes or simple toys.
Playing Games: One traditional game played during Genna is called "Gena," which is similar to hockey. Men and boys typically participate while villagers gather to watch.
Social Gatherings: Families visit friends and extended family members, sharing meals and enjoying communal time together.
Ethiopian Christmas Day showcases a blend of solemn religious observance with communal festivities, reflecting Ethiopia's rich cultural heritage and its place as one of the oldest Christian nations.
