(ANS - Adigrat) - "The rite used in Ethiopia is the same for Orthodox and Catholics, with the same Eucharistic Prayer for the celebration of Mass and the same ceremonies," says Fr Alfred Roca, who has been a missionary in Ethiopia and Eritrea for over twenty-five years. Now, from Adigrat in northern Ethiopia, he describes how Easter is celebrated there.

By Xavier Costa

What year are you now in the Julian calendar?

11 September 2014 of the Gregorian calendar was the first day of 2007 in the Julian calendar.

What is Easter like in a country where Muslims, members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and Catholics live together?

The coexistence of Catholic, Orthodox and Islam is good. Christian and Muslim Feasts are observed as public holidays. Easter is seen as the great feast of the Christians, with a lot of colour, song and lights. It is centred on the Easter Vigil and is preceded by forty days of strict abstinence from meat and meat products.

What are the main differences between the Orthodox and the Catholic Easter?

The rite of Ethiopia is the same for the Orthodox and the Catholics, with the same Eucharistic Prayer for the celebration of Mass and the same ceremonies. Catholicism is more widespread in the south, through the work of the missionaries. Catholics there celebrate the liturgy according to the Latin rite throughout the year.

The Catholic celebration of Easter in the Ethiopian rite begins with Palm Sunday, including the procession It includes also the Chrism Mass presided over by the Bishop on Holy Thursday. In the afternoon, there is the Washing of the Feet. On Friday from early morning until three in the afternoon there is a celebration of the Word, with readings, psalms and prayers, proclaimed with many rhythmic bows and repeating many times the invocation Kyrie Eleison. On Saturday night there is the Easter Vigil and the feast continues in the family with a well-laden table.

And what is it like in the Salesian community?

We participate in all the activities of the parish and the cathedral.  In the community we celebrate only the Lord's Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. The Ethiopian rite includes only the Washing of the Feet. It is an intimate celebration which enables us to meet as a community, at least once during Holy Week.

The full interview can be seen on YouTube.

Published 03/04/2015