Photography

ERIKA SCHULTZ/ THE SEATTLE TIMES

The mothers' choir sings at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church, near Seattle's Judkins Park, in the early morning hours Sunday, April 15, 2012 celebrating Easter. More than a 1,000 people attended the service, worshipping inside the church, in a tent and in the parking lot. Many wore traditional white shawls, while the service was delivered in Amharic and Ge'ez, an ancient language once used in Ethiopia that is now only used in church. Many members of the congregation, Seattle's largest Ethiopian Orthodox Church, had been fasting for 55 days for "Abiy Tsom" or "The Great Lent." For most of Lent, many refrained from meat, dairy and eggs, and waited to eat their first meal until the afternoon. On Saturday, some fasted from food or drink all day until 2 a.m. Easter morning when the service ended.

ERIKA SCHULTZ/ THE SEATTLE TIMES

Worshippers attend services at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church, near Seattle's Judkins Park, in the early morning hours Sunday, April 15, 2012. Many families arrived in the late afternoon and early evening on Saturday and stayed until 2 a.m. Sunday morning.

ERIKA SCHULTZ/ THE SEATTLE TIMES

Two young boys nap during the early morning hours on Easter Sunday, April 15, 2012 at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church located in Seattle.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

More than 1,000 people attend services at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Seattle. Some worshipped inside the church, in a large tent, seen above, or in the parking lot.

ERIKA SCHULTZ/ THE SEATTLE TIMES

Worshippers kiss the gospel at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church during the late evening hours Saturday, April 14, 2012 in Seattle.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Selam Tajebe, 18, second from left, and Shitaye Tesseme attend services at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church Sunday, April 15, 2012 in Seattle.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

A young man holds his candle near the end of the Easter service at Saint Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 15, 2012 in Seattle.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

A photograph of the late Archbishop Abune Zena Markos, right, is on display at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Markos was instrumental in fundraising and building the church near Judkins Park.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Melake Birhanat Abba Gebresilassie, right, burns incense walking through St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church Sunday, April 15, 2012 in Seattle.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Worshippers attend service at St. Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Church during the early morning hours Sunday, April 15, 2012 in Seattle. Jesus' resurrection is our resurrection," said Archbishop Abune Yohannes. "Jesus' victory is our victory."