Ethiopian Easter, known as Fasika, does not consistently align with the Gregorian calendar date observed by Western churches. Its timing is determined by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s unique calculation method, which relies on the Ge’ez calendar and a specific set of astronomical rules derived from the Alexandrian calculation. This divergence results in Fasika typically falling later than Western Easter, often by one to several weeks.
The significance of the observance lies in its profound spiritual importance for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and marks the end of a 55-day lenten fast. Historically, the date’s determination has been a complex process involving careful astronomical observations and adherence to established ecclesiastical traditions, contributing to a distinct cultural and religious identity.
