Christmas in January — ECHANG PHOTOGRAPHY

Christmas in January

Written by Kathy Killian, americascultures.com

Photographs and captions by Eric Chang

Outside, the air was wet, cold, and windy. Inside, the air was warm, smoky, and aromatic. It was December in Virginia and Eric and I had just entered an Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The congregants, men on the left and women on the right, were captivated by the words of the clergy. Throughout the service several clergy members, led by Abba Michael, served the congregation; providing prayers, blessings, and holy water. Congregants, wrapped in their beautifully trimmed white cloth, were thoughtful and joyful. It was the annual festival of St. Gabriel.

Kathy tutored English to a community of recent immigrants and became friends with some of her Ethiopian students.

I had come to this Church several weeks earlier at the invitation of Elizabeth, an Ethiopian woman who helped me a few years ago when I was teaching English. She was getting her masters degree and received class credit for helping at the community center. I had several Ethiopian students and her presence bridged some language and cultural gaps for me. A few years later, I contacted her because I wanted to learn more about Ethiopian culture. As always, she was busy with classes, volunteer work, and family, including the coming birth of her first grandchild. But she was gracious and responded enthusiastically to my request. I had told her I wanted to share what I learned with others. She brought me to this Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Alexandria and introduced me to Abba Michael. They were both excited about the opportunity to share their culture with others.

Kathy learned that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas in January.

Most Ethiopians are members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. So, the Church was the perfect place to start learning about the culture and traditions that Ethiopians in America practice. And here in the DC metro area is a very large population of Ethiopians. In fact, there are more Ethiopians here than anywhere else in the world outside of Ethiopia!

We thought it would be interesting to experience Christmas in January and learn about another culture assimilating in America.

VISITING THE CHURCH

Eric and my first visit to the Church was to chat with Abba Michael. It was after a service and we were lucky enough to join him and other clergy for the post-service lunch. There we met Deacon Merkeb Zemba, who was to become our liaison as we learned more about the Church.

Eric and I attended three services at this Church – which has the longest name I’ve ever seen: Debre Kidusan St. Aregawi, St.Tekle Haymanot and St. Gebreal Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

On our first visit to the church, one of the deacons told us they followed the immigration policy of Jesus Christ. I thought that was a clever way of making a point about inclusivity.

The first service we attended was the annual festival of St. Gabriel, who in the Old Testament’s Book of Daniel, was sent from God to save three men thrown into a fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. Although we were strangers to the congregation, we were greeted warmly by everyone. I quickly felt at ease. And this despite the fact that I mistakenly sat on the men’s side of the Church!

Incense is an important part of the church service. It symbolizes prayers rising up to God and the aromatic smoke is a sacrifice to God.

During this festival, the church was nearly overflowing with people. Clergy from nearby parishes joined Abba Michael to give sermons and blessing to the congregation. And there was wonderful singing and dancing by the Sunday School members – It was a wonderful time to be at the church!

On the same weekend as our next visit, there was a shooting at the West Freeway Church of Christ in Texas and Orthodox Jews in New York were stabbed during a private Hanukkah celebration.

CHRISTMAS IN JANUARY

Ethiopia follows a different calendar than we do. I found this out after I asked a student how old he was and when he was born. He replied to both questions, but the math didn’t work. Then I found out about the different calendars and that Ethiopia is in a different year than we are. Right now, it’s 2020 in the US, but it’s 2012 in Ethiopia. In our September 2020, it will become 2013 in Ethiopia.

The irony of trying to learn something about another culture the same weekend of senseless violence wasn’t lost on me. We were introduced to a very welcoming and loving community.

Another result of the different calendars is that Ethiopians celebrate Christmas 13 days after “our” Christmas. So, on Monday, January 6 at 10:30 at night, Eric and I went to Christmas service. Unfortunately, the service goes late in the night and into the next morning – much later than we were able to stay awake! But we stayed long enough to sample the beauty of the service. It was another memorable and heart-warming experience!

Like many Christian churches in the US, Ethiopian Orthodox Churches use music to celebrate their faith. The instrument of choice is the Kebero drum, made from a hollowed out section of a tree trunk.

Ethiopia follows a different calendar than most of the world. My friend asked one of her students how old he was and when he was born but the math didn’t “work” as she expected.

In preparation for Christmas, Ethiopians fast for 40 days. That’s 40 of the 180 days per year that Ethiopian Orthodox lay people fast to recognize various Biblical events, and about 250 days per year for clergy. Fasting requires excluding meat, fats, eggs, and dairy completely from one’s diet. Only one meal is allowed per day, and that must be after 3:00pm. When I taught, I remember many of my students coming to class very hungry during certain times of the year.

The priest arrives on Sunday morning at 4:00 am to prepare for the day. He is followed by the other clergy and the congregation arrives later in the morning for prayers and the liturgy.

SERVICES

On most Sundays, the priest arrives as early as 4:00 am to prepare for the day. He is followed by the monks and deacons. Eventually the rest of the congregation arrives mid morning for prayers and the liturgy. Following services, there is delicious food for all to enjoy. It’s a full day of worship and fellowship!

In preparation for Christmas, Ethiopians fast for 40 days, excluding meat, fats and eggs. Only one meal is allowed per day, and that must be after 3:00 pm.

The church, with its beautiful and colorful paintings of biblical stories, provides the perfect backdrop to the congregation clad in white. The fabric worn by both men and women, netela, is a traditionally made cloth from Ethiopian cotton. I received such a cloth from my students and proudly wore it during the church services I attended.

The church, with its beautiful and colorful paintings, provides the perfect backdrop to the services. Most congregants are dressed in the Habesha Kemis, a traditional linen made of Ethiopian cotton.

As with many Christian Churches, music is an important part of the Church service. In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, however, they accompany singing with drums instead of an organ or piano. The Kebero drum is made from a hollowed out section of a tree trunk, with cow hides covering both ends. A drummer beats both ends of the drum.

I truly enjoyed my experience at the Church. The sights, sounds, and aromas still linger in my memory. I will certainly return! I also plan to explore the Ethiopian culture outside of the Church and hope you come along with me!