Celebrations and Songs

In Ethiopia, St. Athanasius gets loud cheers on May 15, called “7 Ginbot,” when they celebrate his life! At places like Debre Damo monastery, monks and families gather with drums and sistra—rattly instruments—to make a joyful noise. They dance and chant, thanking him for starting their church with Frumentius. It’s a big deal—everyone wears bright clothes, and kids join in, clapping to the beat of his hymns.

The feast ties him to Ethiopia’s faith, and stories say monks in Tigray felt his strength during tough times. In Addis Ababa, they might process with crosses, singing his praises under the open sky. For Ethiopian kids, it’s a blast—drumming and dancing to show Athanasius is their tough hero who never quit, still cheering them on from heaven.