Timkat 2014 Festival Is Coming

This year on January 19,  2014 Ethiopian Eastern Orthodox Christians will start celebrating their world famous religious festival: Timkat.   The festival will held on palace grounds and baths in Gondar, Ethiopia.



Ethiopian Christian Crosses



Ethiopian Priest With Ancient Bible Manuscript



Detail of an Ethiopian Ancient Manuscript Page



The Biblical reference for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity is Acts 8: 26-40 in which Philip witnesses to an high-ranking Ethiopian. 






Gondar Palace Bath Area Before Timkat

Each year, Ethiopian Christians celebrate the baptism of   Jesus  and this Ethiopian during the Timkat Festival.

CROSSES AT ETHIOPIA'S TIMKAT FESTIVAL



MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WEARING ETHIOPIAN CROSSES AT TIMKAT

The Timkat Festival of  the Coptic Orthodox Church will be held on January 19, 2013 in the city of Gondar, Ethiopia in the African Rift Valley. The religious festival is distinguised by priests and other believers parading large, ornate, finely wrought gold Coptic crosses which have become highly collectible worldwide. In the photo above, the mother and daughter wear their Coptic faith jewelry: silver personal crosses which are equally collectible.

ETHIOPIAN CROSSES - SMALL JEWELRY COLLECTIBLES

Museums and individuals worldwide collect large Ethiopian handheld Coptic crosses and bold cross necklace pendants.  They feature incredibly beautiful silver and bronze metalwork with compelling designs.

I have been especially intrigued by the small 1 inch or so collectible pendants. This faith jewelry is often ancient-looking and artisan crafted with a rustic edge.

 From left to right:  Stone, Metal and Wood African Faith Jewelry

ETHIOPIAN COPTIC CROSSES - SMALL

These petite crosses are harder to find. But you can find them with diligent searching at arts and crafts fairs, import stores or on internet shopping websites.

Regrettably, my all-time favorite, a half inch long leatherwork Ethiopian cross was stolen from my car.  I had stupidly used it to adorn the rearview mirror.  I hope that jewelry thief got a blessing.

Pat Thomas for Jewelrystash until next time...