Ethiopian holiday
Date for
2026
Same holiday on the Gregorian and Ethiopian calendars.
Timket marks the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. Across Ethiopia, parishes carry sacred tabots in colorful processions, then gather for prayer, music, and the blessing of water at dawn.
Timket is the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany. It remembers Christ's baptism and the revelation of the Holy Trinity. For many Ethiopians, it is one of the most joyful days of the church year.
The feast falls on Tahsas 11 in the Ethiopian calendar, observed on the corresponding Gregorian date each year — usually January 19, or January 20 in Ethiopian leap years.
Celebrations vary by city and parish, but the rhythm is familiar across the country.
On the eve (Ketera), tabots leave churches under embroidered umbrellas and process through streets with candles, drums, and singing.
Overnight vigils are held at open fields or riversides where the tabots rest until morning.
At dawn, priests bless water — often sprinkling the crowd — and the faithful renew baptismal vows.
The tabots return to their churches in afternoon processions, closing the feast with communal meals and visiting.
Sources: Wikipedia · Rod Waddington (CC BY-SA 2.0)