Good Friday

Good Friday, widely called Siklet, commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus and comes at the end of Semune Himamat, the Ethiopian Christian Holy Week. Its civil date follows the Ethiopian Orthodox Easter computation rather than the Western Gregorian Easter table. In 2026 Siklet fell on April 10, two days before Fasika on April 12.

Orthodox observance is marked by prolonged fasting, scripture, chants, penitential prayer and repeated prostrations, often from morning into the evening. Ethiopian Catholic and Evangelical congregations may also hold services, but calendars and liturgies can differ among denominations. The federal holiday recognises the religious date without making one congregation’s exact practice compulsory for all Christians or non-Christians.

Good Friday is a religious public holiday under Article 6 of Proclamation No. 1334/2024. Governmental and non-governmental institutions close and salaried employees’ pay may not be reduced, while utilities, health care, security, public transport, fuel services, museums and parks must remain available and other listed businesses may open. Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 gives covered workers twice the hourly wage for holiday work and only one holiday payment when a holiday coincides with another holiday or a legal rest day; neither law creates an automatic substitute Monday.