Public holidayReligiousChristian

Siklet — Ethiopian Good Fridayስቅለት

Name: Siklet — Ethiopian Good Friday (Siklet)
Start: 2027-04-30
Location: Ethiopia

April 30, 2027 · Miyazia 22, 2019 E.C. · in 204 days

Siklet — the word means “crucifixion” — is Ethiopian Orthodox Good Friday, the most solemn day of Holy Week. Falling two days before Fasika, it commemorates the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ with a long day of fasting, prayer and repeated prostrations in church.

A day of mourning and repentance

Siklet is the heart of Semune Himamat, the Passion Week that recalls the final days of Jesus. It is observed with strict fasting — many take no food at all until the service ends — and with hours of standing, kneeling and full prostrations as the story of the crucifixion is read and chanted.

There is no music of celebration on Siklet; the mood is one of grief and reflection. The solemnity makes the joy of the resurrection, proclaimed at the midnight Fasika service, all the more powerful.

How Siklet is observed

The faithful spend much of the day at church, dressed simply, performing prostrations that can number in the hundreds as a sign of penitence. In many communities people carry green palm or olive fronds woven on Hosanna (Palm Sunday) the week before.

As a public holiday, Siklet gives families time to fast and worship together before the celebration of Fasika begins.

Greetings in Amharic

እንኳን ለሰሙነ ሕማማት አደረሳችሁEnkuan Lesemune Himamat Aderesachihu“A blessed Holy Week to you”

Share a Siklet greeting card

Free Siklet — Ethiopian Good Friday cards to send to family and friends. Download or share straight to your chats.

Siklet — Ethiopian Good Friday (Siklet) greeting card to share — Amharic — Greeting card
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Frequently asked questions

When is Siklet (Ethiopian Good Friday)?

Siklet is a movable day tied to Fasika (Ethiopian Easter). It falls on the Friday of Holy Week, two days before Fasika — usually in April or early May. See the date above for the current year.