Viral footage captured a massive candlelit vigil in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during Holy Week preparations for Fasika, the Ethiopian Orthodox Easter, which falls on April 12, 2026. It captures hundreds of thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, many in traditional white robes, gathered at night in the vast open area of Meskel Square.
For reference, Christianity in Ethiopia is one of the oldest Christian traditions in the world. In fact, the practice of Christianity in Ethiopia dates back to the Kingdom of Aksum in the Fourth Century AD, with King Ezana officially adopting the faith around the year 330. Ethiopian Christianity was deeply influenced by a Syrian Christian missionary from the Roman Empire named Frumentius.
Fortunately for the faithful, the practice became deeply rooted in Ethiopia, developing into a unique tradition that combines an Orthodox tradition with early biblical, indigenous, and Coptic Egyptian influences. Ethiopia is often considered an “island of Christianity” in the otherwise pagan and Islamic region.
The video features a dramatic “sea of light” effect created by countless candles or small lights held by worshippers during an all-night prayer vigil. This moving vigil took place on or around April 3, 2026, as part of the lead-up to Easter after a rigorous 55-day fast.
The event is a deeply meaningful public display of devotion, with hymns, prayers, and communal worship. Similar scenes occur annually, but drone footage like this amplifies the scale dramatically, and creates an immense sense of awe in the viewer at the dedication and scale of the Easter gathering.
Posting a dramatic clip of the envent, one user reacted, “🚨WOW! Look at the hundreds of thousands of Christians gathering in Ethiopia to honor Jesus Christ ahead of Easter. Absolutely incredible. You won’t see this on the mainstream media. Christ is King! 🙏✝️”
Watch the clip here:
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Domestically, the President issued an official statement to celebrate the holiday. “This Easter Sunday, the First Lady and I join with Christians all across our Nation and around the world in rejoicing in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, whose triumph over sin and victory over death secured the promise of redemption and the hope of eternal life for all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior,” the president wrote.
Building on this profound point, he added, “Sunday, we proclaim with joy that Christ has risen, a new creation has been ushered in, and evil and death have been conquered forever through the unmatched power of God’s sacrificial love.”
“When Jesus Christ rose from His earthly tomb on Easter morning, He restored our grace, washed our sins, and reconciled humanity with God—fulfilling the ancient prophecy that ‘He was pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquity … by His wounds we were healed,'” the statement read.
The Presidential Message on Easter added, “His suffering won our victory, His love brings us life, and His Resurrection is our everlasting hope,” adding, “As we rejoice in this Easter season, we are reminded that the life of Jesus Christ and the truths of the Gospel have inspired our way of life and our national identity for 250 years.”
“From the Christian patriots who won and secured our liberty on the battlefield and every generation since, the love of Christ has unfailingly guided our Nation through calm waters and dark storms,” Trump stated.
Leaning on scripture, President Trump announced, “We pray that this celebration of the Resurrection strengthens our faith, enriches our lives, and reawakens our souls. We offer prayers of adoration and thanksgiving for the countless blessings God has bestowed upon our Nation. We acknowledge that, through Christ’s redeeming sacrifice, in the words of Holy Scripture, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.'” In conclusion, the president said, “Above all, we echo with tremendous joy those sacred words that have given life, hope, and purpose to Christians for thousands of years: He is risen. Happy Easter!”
Featured image from embedded video