Ethiopians follow the Julian calendar, which runs 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar, used by Catholic and Protestant churches. They traditionally celebrate by slaughtering animals and joining family members to break the fast after midnight.

On Monday, thousands of Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia came together to celebrate Christmas, donning traditional all-white garments as they participated in prayers and midnight mass to honour the birth of Jesus Christ and the conclusion of a 43-day fasting period.

Thousands of Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas on Monday, attending prayers and midnight mass, draped in an all-white traditional attire to mark the birth of Jesus Christ and the end of a 43-day fasting period.