by Engidu Woldie ESAT News (September 26, 2018) Ahead of the celebration of Meskel, the founding of The True Cross tomorrow, followers of the Ethiopian and Eritrean orthodox churches lit bonfires at dusk today. But the bonfire, the Demera as it is called, is more of a national festival, not just limited to followers of the church. In Ethiopia’s capital ...

ESAT News (September 27, 2017) Ethiopian and Eritrean followers of the Orthodox Church today colorfully celebrated Meskel, the discovery of the True Cross. The celebration began on the eve Tuesday with the burning of bonfires, known as Demera, as the choir sang religious hymns praising the day, the cross and the creator. In Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa and Eritrea’s Asmara ...