Meskel means cross that commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Helena in the fourth centuryon which Christ was crucified. It is a public holiday in Ethiopia, celebrated on September 27th and on 28 September during the leap year once in four years. During the Roman Emperor by 380 AD, Christianity was gaining a foothold in Europe, growing from an obscure cult in 300 AD to becoming the state religion. Following the conversion of conversion Emperor Constantine, his mother, Empress Helena (later St. Helena) travelled to the Holy Land, Jerusalem to establish churches and spread the gospel in 326 AD.

While in Jerusalem, she had a dream in which she was told to light a bonfire and the smoke would indicate where the true cross was hidden. The bonfire was prepared and lit as soon as they awoke, and the smoke indicated the locations of the three crosses used for the crucifixions of Jesus and two men on Good Friday. This tradition of the discovery of the true cross is celebrated by the Ethiopian Orthodox church, as it is believed that a part of the true cross was brought to Ethiopia in the 15th century and is kept at Amba Geshen Mariam church, a mountain fortress built in the shape of a cross.

Meskel, the great religious holiday began on September 27 with Demera, a public ceremony where Ethiopians gather around a large bonfire in memory of Jesus’ crucifixion and the discovery of “the true cross”. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the center of the capital, Addis Ababa but the ceremony is held every village. Then in the shape of a cross, the ashes are marked on foreheads, similar to Ash Wednesday. Ashes represent death as well as repentance. Christians demonstrate repentance and sadness for their sins during this time because they believe Christ died for them. The Meskel Festival, which has been classified by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity, was to continue the next day, with people celebrating it this time at home or with neighbours.