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
January 7, 2027
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.