Genna — Ethiopian Christmas
Christmas for the Ethiopian Christian community in Israel — January 7, observed at Theotokos churches in Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beersheba.
When
January 7 (per the Julian calendar used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church)
Next observance
2027-01-07
What is Genna
Genna ("ገና") is the Christmas celebration of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The Church follows the Julian calendar (not the Gregorian), so Genna is celebrated on January 7 rather than December 25.
Where it's celebrated in Israel
- Theotokos Church — Jerusalem — the main church at the Ethiopian monastery complex in the Old City
- Saint Mary's Church — Haifa — a small but active community
- Ethiopian Church — Beersheba — a younger community, active in recent years
The ceremony
The fast day ends with a midnight prayer. Then — a holiday meal with meat, doro wat (chicken stew), and injera.
Good to know
The holiday is primarily a family + community affair. Visitors from outside the community are welcome at the public midnight prayer; the meal is family-only.
