The annual Saint Gabriel festival is being observed with major religious rites in Kulbi and Hawassa on Hamle 19.
At the Kulbi celebration held at Saint Gabriel Monastery, acting head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarchate Abune Sawiros, Holy Synod chief secretary Abune Dioskoros and other bishops were present.
In Hawassa town the Sidama Diocese archbishop Abune Yosef attended the festival.
Pilgrims and visitors from different parts of the country joined as the Ark of the Covenant was carried out and various religious ceremonies marked the day.
