Timket is the greatest festival of the year, falling on 19th January. It is actually three day affair, beginning on the eve of Timket with dramatic and colorful processions.
The holy Tabot, A replica of the Ark of Covenant, is taken from each church around the country a day before celebration and brought to a central area where the ceremony will take place. Normally the celebration takes place in Addis at an area called Jal Meda with a very big congeregation.The following morning, the great day itself, Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist is commemorated. Church officials, resplendent in their gorgeous regalia, assemble around the Tabot and sprinkle holy water over all the Christians present and receive the renewals of their vows. After this is done the congregation follows the bishops, elders and clergy as the Tabot is carried back to the church from where it came. Almost all people of Ethiopia prepare Tej and Tella at their homes and call every body for Dinner or lunch. There is traditional dancing every where in the country.