Ruptly
"Orthodox Christians in Addis Ababa celebrated Palm Sunday, locally known as Hosaena, with nationwide church services and colourful processions, marking the end of Great Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. Footage shows worshippers gathering at the Ethiopian Medhane Alem Orthodox church, carrying palm, olive and bamboo branches to commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, with faithful dressed in traditional white garments attending ceremonies. "Today, the whole world is not at peace, it is thirsty for peace, both the educated and the uneducated are hungry for peace," said Ethiopian Orthodox preacher Eshetu Alemayehu, speaking during the celebrations. "Peace cannot be achieved through bombs and nuclear weapons. Christ declared peace not by wounding and killing others but by killing and wounding himself," he persisted. Another church leader, Aba Rufael Yemane of Medhane Alem Church, remarked that the gathering was both a spiritual and communal blessing. "Since the holiday we are gathering and celebrating today is a celebration, if we gather in this way, we are all blessed and sanctified. We are participants in the celebration and blessing. After a few minutes, we will all spend time in prayer, remembering the Passion and the Crucifixion," he proclaimed. Orthodox and Catholic Christians celebrate Easter on different dates due to calendar differences: Western Christians follow the Gregorian calendar, while Orthodox Christians adhere to the Julian calendar."
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