With last Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent in many Christian denominations worldwide, here in Ethiopia, I am still living in a completely different world. For starters, we’re still in 2005 and Lent doesn’t begin for another month. Also, in the Ethiopian Orthodox church, Lent begins on Clean Monday instead of Ash Wednesday and lasts for 56 days.
Yep, that’s right, 56 days. Not the usual 40 that we all know and love.
Another distinguishing factor is that meat isn’t only given up on Fridays… all animal products are given up every day. And no, you can’t “cheat” on Sundays. For all intents and purposes, beginning March 18 I will be vegan until Easter… which this year happens to fall on Sunday, May 5.
Easter in May? Yep. It feels a little late to me too.
That said, I’ve heard many, many good things about Fasika (ፋሲካ, Amharic for Easter) and am really looking forward to the celebration that follows the long period of fasting. Timket was a wonderful celebration, I’m sure Fasika will be just as amazing!
Hi Lora! I’m enjoying following your blog!
I’m a bit confused. Are you really following a 2005 calendar? This is so interesting! Easter in May? Lent is 56 days? I hope your Easter is awesome!
Hey Veronica!
Ethiopia follows a calendar similar to the Julian, not the Gregorian calendar, so we are still in 2005 over here… and the year starts in September, so it’s 6/2005 right now.
Also, since it’s the Ethiopian Orthodox religion observing Easter, it (again) differs from the Western world in the Easter is calculated differently. Typically they fall on the same/nearby Sundays, but for some reason this year it’s not till May. I’m not sure on the 56 days of Lent… something with Lent starting on a Monday and Sundays being included. It’s all very new to me!
That’s so interesting! I didn’t know that there were countries following a completely different calendar! I’ll have to ask Mike if Djibouti did this! Or maybe Afghanistan does!