Looking out at the crowd in one direction. Though this is likely the largest, as it is the one the Patriarch attends, it is only one of more than twenty celebrations throughout Addis Ababa. The group with the umbrellas accompanies the tabot from several churches, joining the celebration.
Incidentally, the condominium in the upper-right is where I live–you can see my balcony in the photo.
I have been having computer problems (now hopefully fixed) for the last week, and was unable to post images.
I would like to share a few more images of the holy water being delivered to the crowds (you can see why they use hoses!).
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.
I’m finally getting to the next morning, and the Timkat ceremony proper. I want to present these two portraits together, as one post.
In retrospect, I wish I had shot these facing different directions.
