Holy water in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

Holy water (ፀበል) is a deeply rooted tenet in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, believed to be able to exorcise demons and cure sickness. The holy water can be poured onto people or consumed by drinking. Various monasteries are renowned for their holy water, where many Ethiopian Christians make pilgrimage to acquire the holy water. In addition, holy water is important at the Timkat (Epiphany) celebration, where priests set up holy water and bless it to baptize Christians for purposed of "purifying souls from sins".

Purposes
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church considers holy water to be able to heal people from demons and illnesses. The water is also consumed to remove "harmful things inside stomach". Studies show that the majority of Ethiopians prefer traditional healing, such as holy water, to biomedical services for major illness - particularly for mental illness. 98% of first encounters for mental health issues are traditional healing methods using holy water. Holy water is also associated with healing HIV AIDS; in particular by using antiretroviral therapy (ART) together with holy water, remaining controversial among research participants. Many people go to holy water sites for treatment (such as monasteries) with some sites receiving up to 5,000 pilgrims daily. The process of using holy water include using it in prayer, consumption and bathing. Visitors often fill their bottle or jerrycans with holy water to consume at home. In Lalibela, the use of traditional healing methods is common. An estimated 5,000 people moved to Entoto Church where holy water also existed and majority engulfed to renowned Tsadkane Mariam Monastery.

In celebration
Holy water is often used in public holidays such as Timkat (Epiphany), in which Christians gather around a small water pool set by priests during Ketera (the eve of Timkat). After priests and deacons pray over and bless the holy water, the water is sprayed onto the people "for the purity of their souls from the sins committed". Most of these events took place at Jan Meda Square. In Gondar, the Fasilides Bath represents Jordan River. At the eve, local people flock the city into the bath with eight of forty-four tabots arrived in all directions.