By Jill Callison, Argus Leader

A cold rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 100 members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church who gathered on a softball field to celebrate one of their most joyous holidays.

The celebrants, many of whom had their heads and shoulders covered in gauzy white scarves, gathered under a white tent set up in the outfield.

But the focus was on a tower of evergreen branches, twigs and sunshine-yellow flowers, soon to be set alight in a bonfire commemorating the day’s origins.

On Sunday, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the surrounding area celebrated Meskel, or the day of the holy cross. It marks the discovery of the cross on which Jesus was crucified, decades after it was buried and lost.

Abey Ejegu, chairman of Ethiopian Orthodox Church at Sixth Street and Fairfax Avenue, said Meskel is one of his faith’s most important holidays.
“The cross makes a lot of miracles,” Ejegu said, referring to what he called the True Cross. When smoke from a bonfire ordered by Empress Helena in 326 pointed to the cross’ burial place, it became a day of rejoicing, he said.

The holiday traditionally is celebrated in late September. local Ethiopian Orthodox Christians chose Sunday as the day to celebrate because of their work schedules.

Ejegu estimates that 3,000 Ethiopians now live in Sioux Falls.
Guests Sunday include a bishop from Minneapolis, Kissi Abebe Lamesgen, and a bishop from New York, Abune Abraham.

Beka Megersa came from Minneapolis to attend the celebration. He sang the traditional religious songs, then took time to translate.
“The cross is the light of the world,” Megersa sang.

Church deacons held up ornate crosses, one in a filigreed metal, the other in carved wood. A chorus swayed in a gentle rhythm while playing traditional instruments, including large cloth-covered keberos, or drums.

Reach Jill Callison at 331-2307 or [email protected]