Liq’a Kahənat (Archpriest) Bərhanu is the head of the church printing press, and has acted as my host in Addis. He is in charge of guests for the celebrations, and has gotten me special guest passes for Meskel and Timkat. An archpriest is the highest-ranked married member of the clergy, since only monks may become bishops. They are in charge of important church ministries and higher-level church offices under bishops and archbishops.
Abunä Paulos spreads the blessed water with an innovative and modern holy water delivery-system.
Abunä Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, blesses the fountain for the ceremonial re-baptism that is the centre of the ceremony.
At least I assume that the bosses represent the Evangelists, and it is thus the Gospels–I neither asked nor looked too closely. I am not sure of the significance of the red velvet capes–they generally seemed to be worn by those who were directing the choristers and däbtäras–I shall have to ask.
Abunä Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, watches the Timkat ceremony at Jan Meda Field, Addis Ababa.
Däbtäras perform liturgical dance on the stage in front of the priests carrying the tabot during the first day of the Timkat celebrations.