The practice is said to have originated in the fourth century with St. Helena.
Following a vision that came in a dream, she created a huge fire, infused it with frankincense and let the smoke guide her to remnants of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
Orthodox Ethiopians Celebrate the 'Finding of the True Cross'
The significance of Meskel surpasses its cultural and religious values. Meskel heralds the end of the rainy season and the onset of the Ethiopian spring, writes The Ethiopian Herald.
The September Meskel Festival marks the finding of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The festival is ancient, dating back over 1,600 years.
