The Syro-Malabar Church is a Catholic Church sui iuris of the East Syriac Rite that adheres to the following calendar for the church's liturgical year. Like other liturgical calendars, the Syro-Malabar calendar loosely follows the sequence of pivotal events in the life of Jesus.
Liturgical seasons The Syro-Malabar liturgical year opens with the season of Annunciation, which begins on the Sunday between November 27 and December 3. This day corresponds to the First Sunday of Advent in the Western Roman Rite tradition.
The liturgical year is divided into the following nine seasons.
Season Theme Start date Duration 1 Annunciation (Subara) Mystery of creation, the fall of man, the birth of the forerunner, and the mystery of incarnation The Sunday between November 27 and December 3 3–4 weeks 2 Nativity (Yelda) Birth of Jesus, presentation in the temple, Holy innocents, Holy MagiDecember 25 1–2 weeks 3 Epiphany (Denha) Baptism of Jesus, proclamation of the son of man, and public ministry The Sunday between January 2 and 6; otherwise January 6, if no such Sunday exists 4–9 weeks 4 Great Fast (Sawma Ramba)Passion and death of Jesus The 7th Sunday before Easter 7 weeks 5 Resurrection (Qyamta) Resurrection, victory over sin, death and evil Easter Sunday 7 weeks 6 Apostles (Slihe) Pentacost, coming of the Holy Spirit, and the new covanentPentecost Sunday (the 7th Sunday after Easter) 7 weeks 7 Summer (Qaita) Growth of the Church, remembrance of the martyrs and apostles The 7th Sunday after Pentecost 7 weeks 8 Elijah– Holy Cross–Moses (Elijah, Sliba, Muse) Transfiguration, exaltation of the Cross and the second coming of JesusThe 14th Sunday after Pentecost 6–11 weeks 9 Dedication of the Church (Qudas Edta) Dedication of the Church, eternal life and reward The Sunday between October 30 and November 5 4 weeks
Although the eighth season (Elijah–Cross–Moses) is considered one of the nine, it is also regarded as a combination of the three distinct seasons that are named (Elijah, Cross, and Moses).
Holy days of obligation
In the Syro-Malabar Church, there are 6 holy days of obligation:
Epiphany (January 6) Sts. Peter and Paul (June 29) The Ascension of Our Lord (sixth Thursday after Easter) St. Thomas (July 3) The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15) Christmas (December 25)
Liturgical Lents
The Syro-Malabar Church proposes the following days of fasting to the faithful:
Name Theme Dates 25 Days' Lent Repeant for the fall of man; preparation for the incarnation December 1–24 Rogation of the Ninivites Three Days' Lent Repeant and return to the Lord The third Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before the beginning of Lent Great Lent Part 1: Preparation for the great passion mirroring the 40 day fast of Jesus in the desert; Part2: In remembrance of the passion of Christ Season of Lent Part 1: The first Monday or Ash Monday to Sixth Friday (40 days) Part 2: Lazarus Saturday (6th Saturday; a day before Palm Sunday) to Holy Saturday; (no break in-between the two parts) Fifteen Days' Lent Remembrance of the Assumption of Our Lady August 1–14 Eight Days' Lent Remembrance of the Nativity of Our Lady September 1–7
See also Saint Thomas Christians Knanaya Syro-Malankara Catholic Church
References
Notes
External links Syro-Malabar Commission for Liturgy www.christianhomily.com Sunday and Feast Homily Resources in English and Homily Videos in Malayalam by Fr. Abraham Mutholath according to the Syro-Malabar Calendar Set one and two. Homily Videos in Malayalam by Fr. Abraham Mutholath www.bibleinterpretation.org Bible Interpretation by Rev. Abraham Mutholath in English. www.biblereflection.org Bible Interpretation with reflection by Rev. Abraham Mutholath in English.
Official calendars: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013