Ethiopia celebrates religious festival in Aksum after civil war

Aksum, the sacred city of Ethiopia, witnessed a gathering of around half a million pilgrims for a religious festival, marking the end of the recent civil war in the northern region of Tigray. Aksum holds immense religious significance for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, who believe that it is the home of the Ark of the Covenant, which holds the Ten Commandments. The festival of St Mary of Zion was celebrated near the Our Lady Mary of Zion Church. Pilgrims traveled long distances, some even more than 1,000km, to attend the festival, expressing their joy and relief that the region is now relatively peaceful. The event was particularly poignant, as it allowed worshippers from different sides of the conflict to come together in the spirit of peace. During the festival, priests led prayer sessions and gave thanks to God for the peaceful situation. The festival took place against the backdrop of ancient obelisks, which date back to the 4th century and symbolize the rich history of Aksum. The city’s residents showcased their culture of hospitality by welcoming strangers into their homes and offering them food. Vendors took advantage of the gathering to sell various religious items to the pilgrims. The celebration of this religious festival in Aksum not only signifies the end of the civil war but also promotes unity and peace among the people of Ethiopia.