Semune Himamat or Holy week (week of agony and suffering) is the last week of 55 days fasting, prayers which Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia abstained from meat and dairy until they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This week has citing biblical verses related to each day of the week. The faithful will abstain from hugging and kissing each other starting from Holy Monday till Good Friday. Some followers walk barefoot during this time.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is celebrated a week from Easter Sunday. It marks the prosperous entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem riding a donkey, while people waving and laying palm tree branches across the road. “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” was the canting of the crowd
The palm leaves are still being carried into houses and made crosses to wear as headbands and rings, throughout the holy week.
Holy Monday
Eastern and Oriental Churches observe the day through fasting and prayers as well as citing some of the miracles that Jesus Christ has done including the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the Temple.
Holy Tuesday
It is a day to commemorate the parable of the Ten Virgins, which teaches about the Day of Judgment. The parable has a clear message about being prepared for the Day of Judgment.
Holy Wednesday
Also called Holy and Great Wednesday, which dedicated to commemorating the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas. This was the day the Judas, who made an agreement with the Jewish chief priests to hand over Jesus. The kiss given by Judas to Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane led to the direct arrest of Jesus.
Tselote Hamus or Holy Thursday
Bishops and the clergy wash feet of the faithful, following the example of Jesus, washed his disciples’ feet before the last supper as a sign and example of humility and love “Love one another as I have loved you!”.
After the washing ceremony and honor Christ’s humility of the followers of the church prepared a mixture of boiled grains called Gulban(Tigirign- Titiho) to break their fast after church services.
Good Friday
The day commemorates the crucifixion and death, Jesus Christ. The faithful attend the church early morning to kneel down repeatedly to share the pain of Jesus and requesting forgiveness from him for their sins. They return to their homes when the sun starts to set, after being blessed by priests and fulfilling the requested number of the kneel down they received from the priest.
Holy Saturday
The day that Jesus’ body lay in the tomb. The Harrowing of Hell is the descent of Jesus Christ into Hell between the time of his crucifixion and his resurrection where he brought salvation to all of the righteous who had died since the beginning of the world.
On Saturday night, the faithful, most of them have not had any food or drink since Good Friday, gathered in churches to attend mass services until the bell that heralds the rise of Jesus Christ ring by priests around 3 am which is the time to break their 55 days fasting season.
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