St. Gabriel’s Day (ቅዱስ ገብርኤል) on Tahsas 19 is the annual feast of Archangel Gabriel, the messenger of the Annunciation. Gabriel is remembered on the 19th of every month, and Tahsas 19 and Hamle 19 are his great annual feasts.
The Kulubi pilgrimage
The best-known celebration is at Kulubi Gabriel church, on a hill in eastern Ethiopia between Dire Dawa and Harar. Every year hundreds of thousands of pilgrims travel there, many walking for days, to pray, fulfil vows and give thanks for answered prayers. Many carry gifts for the church or offer to serve others along the way.
The date
Tahsas 19 falls on December 28 in most years and December 29 in the year after an Ethiopian leap year. It comes during Tsome Nebiyat, the fast before Genna.
Ge'ez Calendar