Addis Ababa, Ethiopia September 26/2025 (ABN)
Minister of Culture and Sport, Shewit Shanka, emphasized that the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is a unique celebration in Ethiopia, observed during a period of reflection and spiritual devotion, marking the journey of perseverance, sacrifice, and faith.
Minister Shanka highlighted that the feast not only honors Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage, language, history, and values but also strengthens the nation’s sense of identity. The celebration, observed with solemnity and devotion in Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo churches across the country, features traditional rituals and ceremonies centered around the Holy Cross.
The event this year was attended by prominent figures, including His Holiness Patriarch Abune Mathias, senior clergy, the Mayor of Addis Ababa, Adanech Abebe, Minister of Culture and Sport Shewit Shanka, the Deputy President of the Federal Supreme Court, Woyzero Abeba Embiale, high-ranking government officials, diplomats, and visitors from various countries.
Minister Shanka underlined that the feast serves as a reflection of Ethiopia’s cultural wealth, highlighting the nation’s historic and spiritual legacy that has been preserved across generations. She also noted that the celebration of the Exaltation of the Cross demonstrates Ethiopia’s global recognition, with the Cross being acknowledged by UNESCO as a heritage of world significance.
“This feast reminds us of shared values and collective efforts that bind our communities. It is an opportunity to instill in younger generations the principles of peace, love, and spiritual devotion,” said Minister Shanka.
She further emphasized that obtaining the Cross involved significant trials, hard work, and dedication, which were accomplished through collaboration, unity, and determination. “The growth and progress of Ethiopia depend on the collective efforts of its people, and the outcomes of such perseverance are evident along the paths we have traveled together,” she added.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross continues to serve as a symbol of Ethiopia’s resilience, unity, and spiritual heritage, reminding the nation of its enduring cultural and historical richness.
