Ettu Nombu: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Remembrance of Mother Mary}} |
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{{Infobox holiday |
{{Infobox holiday |
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|holiday_name = 8 Day Lent |
|holiday_name = 8 Day Lent |
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|type = |
|type = |
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|image = |
|image = Icon of the blessed Virgin Mary by Luke the Evangelist.jpg |
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|imagesize = |
|imagesize = 250px |
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|caption = |
|caption = Icon of the [[Virgin Mary]]. |
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|official_name = |
|official_name = |
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|nickname = Ettu |
|nickname = Ettu Nombu |
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|observedby = |
|observedby = |
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|litcolor = |
|litcolor = |
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[[Image:Ohrid annunciation icon.jpg|thumb|'The icon of Annunciation']] |
[[Image:Ohrid annunciation icon.jpg|thumb|'The icon of Annunciation']] |
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[[File:Holy Girdle of St.Mary.jpg|thumb|[[Holy Girdle]] of St |
[[File:Holy Girdle of St.Mary.jpg|thumb|[[Holy Girdle]] of St Mary]] |
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'''Ettu |
'''Ettu Nombu''' ([[Malayalam]]: എട്ടു നോമ്പ്) or the '''Eight Day Lent of [[St Mary]]''', is a solemn remembrance of virgin-mother of [[Jesus Christ]], for the [[St Thomas Christians]] in [[Kerala]], India. |
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The custom is observed in the [[Oriental Orthodox]] ([[Jacobite Syrian Christian Church|Jacobite]] and [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church|Indian Orthodox]]) and [[Eastern Catholic]] ([[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church|Syro-Malabar]] and [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church|Syro Malankara Catholic]]) churches in Kerala. Believers participate in fasting and praying for the eight days. During this time churches celebrate the feast in remembrance of the birth of St Mary ([[Nativity of Mary]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.franciscanmedia.org/nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/|title=Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary|date=8 September 2016|website=Franciscanmedia.org|accessdate=23 August 2017}}</ref> and the eight days of lent is rigorously observed from the 1st day to 8th day of September with charitable activities, evangelical conventions and special prayers to honor St Mary. For [[Syrian Catholics]], praying the [[rosary]] in groups is an important custom during these days. The eight days of lent is not a canonical one for the Church but is observed by the Syrian Christians of [[India]] and also of the [[Near East]]ern countries. |
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== Origin stories == |
== Origin stories == |
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It appears that this practice originated in connection with the Islamic invasion and the subsequent fall of [[Kodungallur]], a Christian centre in Kerala.<ref>[http://mosc.in/the_church/spirituality/fasting-and-abstinence Fasting and abstinence in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian tradition, The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]</ref> |
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There are different versions about the origin of the lent. |
There are different versions about the origin of the lent. |
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===The narration by Bar Ebroyo=== |
===The narration by Bar Ebroyo=== |
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{{main|Bar Hebraeus}} |
{{main|Bar Hebraeus}} |
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In the seventh century, there was a town called [[Al-Hirah|Heera]] near [[Basra]], which was predominantly a Christian township. The [[Caliph of Baghdad]] captured this town and appointed a fanatic Muslim governor, who implemented the |
In the seventh century, there was a town called [[Al-Hirah|Heera]] near [[Basra]], which was predominantly a Christian township. The [[Caliph of Baghdad]] captured this town and appointed a fanatic Muslim governor, who implemented the caliph's every dictum with fervor. The caliph was known to be cruel and had a weakness for beautiful women. He was enamored by the beauty and charm of the women of Heera and decided to reach there in three days. The chastity and modesty of the women of Heera were at stake. They sought refuge in the church of St. Mary. The priest declared an uncompromising lent for three days invoking the intercession of mother Mary. On the 3rd day, in the middle of the [[Holy Qurbana]], a golden beam of light flashed down from above, then spread to illuminate the whole church. It is said that the priest had a vision of Mother Mary and also heard her saying, “Do not be afraid; peace be to you – Rejoice. The Caliph is no more. Tribulations are over”. The priest then turned to the people and they could see an aura around the priests face as he relayed the message. The whole congregation praised the Lord and thanked Mary for her intercessory prayers.<ref>[http://stmaryprotectress.blogspot.com/2008/09/history-behind-beginning-of-8-day-lent.html Karippayil, Joseph. "History Behind the Beginning of the 8-day Lent (Ettunombu) in September", ''Vision'', 2004]</ref> |
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The women then decided to observe a lent for eight days (i.e. from the 1st to the 8th of September in commemoration of this event). They believed that Mother Mary helped safeguard their chastity, modesty and dignity.<ref name="malankaraworld.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.malankaraworld.com/library/shunoyo/StMary-History-of-8-days-lent.htm|title=History of 8 Days Lent (Ettu Nombu) by Archbishop Mor Chrisostomos, St. Mary - Theotokos - Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Syrian Orthodox Church, Baselios Church Digital Library, Jacobite Church Ohio|website=Malankaraworld.com|accessdate=23 August 2017}}</ref> |
The women then decided to observe a lent for eight days (i.e. from the 1st to the 8th of September in commemoration of this event). They believed that Mother Mary helped safeguard their chastity, modesty and dignity.<ref name="malankaraworld.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.malankaraworld.com/library/shunoyo/StMary-History-of-8-days-lent.htm|title=History of 8 Days Lent (Ettu Nombu) by Archbishop Mor Chrisostomos, St. Mary - Theotokos - Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Syrian Orthodox Church, Baselios Church Digital Library, Jacobite Church Ohio|website=Malankaraworld.com|accessdate=23 August 2017}}</ref> |
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===Establishment at Kerala=== |
===Establishment at Kerala=== |
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By 3rd |
By the 3rd century St. David (an Episcoppa) came to India from Basra and evangelized people. This was followed by the [[Knanaya]] Migration from [[Urfa|Şanlıurfa]] in the 4th century. Iraqi migrants of the 8th century further spread this tradition. As it is not a canonical event of the [[Liturgical year|Church calendar]] its popularity is somewhat limited. [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Manarcaud]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/manarcad-church-festival-on-september-1/article2409345.ece|title=Manarcad church festival on September 1|website=Thehindu.com|accessdate=23 August 2017}}</ref> under the jurisdiction of the [[Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church]], is believed to be the first church to have reestablished the lent in a wide manner. It remains the largest church where the 8-Day lent is a popular tradition. The stone inscriptions found at the church reveal that the church was built more than a thousand years ago. Archeologists have found out that these stone inscriptions were memorial stones set up at the tombs in 910 A.D. and 920 A.D. The writing on them are in [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] scripts prevalent 600 years ago.<ref name="malankaraworld.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summitlighthouse.org/birthday-of-mother-mary/|title=Birthday of Mother Mary – September 8|date=28 August 2012|website=Summitlighthouse.org|accessdate=23 August 2017}}</ref> [[St. Mary's Church, Meenangadi]] is the first church to adopt the 8 day lent in the Malabar region. Many churches in the name of St. Mary have subsequently begun recognition of the 8 day lent. The [[Holy Girdle]] is taken out for the public at the eighth day. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Marian feast days]] |
[[Category:Marian feast days]] |
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[[Category:Patronal festivals in India]] |
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[[Category:September observances]] |
[[Category:September observances]] |
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Latest revision as of 23:36, 25 September 2024
| 8 Day Lent | |
|---|---|
 Icon of the Virgin Mary. | |
| Also called | Ettu Nombu |
| Begins | 1 September |
| Ends | 8 September |
| Frequency | Annual |
Ettu Nombu (Malayalam: എട്ടു നോമ്പ്) or the Eight Day Lent of St Mary, is a solemn remembrance of virgin-mother of Jesus Christ, for the St Thomas Christians in Kerala, India.
The custom is observed in the Oriental Orthodox (Jacobite and Indian Orthodox) and Eastern Catholic (Syro-Malabar and Syro Malankara Catholic) churches in Kerala. Believers participate in fasting and praying for the eight days. During this time churches celebrate the feast in remembrance of the birth of St Mary (Nativity of Mary)[1] and the eight days of lent is rigorously observed from the 1st day to 8th day of September with charitable activities, evangelical conventions and special prayers to honor St Mary. For Syrian Catholics, praying the rosary in groups is an important custom during these days. The eight days of lent is not a canonical one for the Church but is observed by the Syrian Christians of India and also of the Near Eastern countries.
Origin stories
[edit]It appears that this practice originated in connection with the Islamic invasion and the subsequent fall of Kodungallur, a Christian centre in Kerala.[2] There are different versions about the origin of the lent.
The narration by Bar Ebroyo
[edit]In the seventh century, there was a town called Heera near Basra, which was predominantly a Christian township. The Caliph of Baghdad captured this town and appointed a fanatic Muslim governor, who implemented the caliph's every dictum with fervor. The caliph was known to be cruel and had a weakness for beautiful women. He was enamored by the beauty and charm of the women of Heera and decided to reach there in three days. The chastity and modesty of the women of Heera were at stake. They sought refuge in the church of St. Mary. The priest declared an uncompromising lent for three days invoking the intercession of mother Mary. On the 3rd day, in the middle of the Holy Qurbana, a golden beam of light flashed down from above, then spread to illuminate the whole church. It is said that the priest had a vision of Mother Mary and also heard her saying, “Do not be afraid; peace be to you – Rejoice. The Caliph is no more. Tribulations are over”. The priest then turned to the people and they could see an aura around the priests face as he relayed the message. The whole congregation praised the Lord and thanked Mary for her intercessory prayers.[3]
The women then decided to observe a lent for eight days (i.e. from the 1st to the 8th of September in commemoration of this event). They believed that Mother Mary helped safeguard their chastity, modesty and dignity.[4]
Establishment at Kerala
[edit]By the 3rd century St. David (an Episcoppa) came to India from Basra and evangelized people. This was followed by the Knanaya Migration from Şanlıurfa in the 4th century. Iraqi migrants of the 8th century further spread this tradition. As it is not a canonical event of the Church calendar its popularity is somewhat limited. St. Mary's Cathedral, Manarcaud,[5] under the jurisdiction of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, is believed to be the first church to have reestablished the lent in a wide manner. It remains the largest church where the 8-Day lent is a popular tradition. The stone inscriptions found at the church reveal that the church was built more than a thousand years ago. Archeologists have found out that these stone inscriptions were memorial stones set up at the tombs in 910 A.D. and 920 A.D. The writing on them are in Malayalam and Tamil scripts prevalent 600 years ago.[4][6] St. Mary's Church, Meenangadi is the first church to adopt the 8 day lent in the Malabar region. Many churches in the name of St. Mary have subsequently begun recognition of the 8 day lent. The Holy Girdle is taken out for the public at the eighth day.
References
[edit]- ^ "Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary". Franciscanmedia.org. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ Fasting and abstinence in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian tradition, The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
- ^ Karippayil, Joseph. "History Behind the Beginning of the 8-day Lent (Ettunombu) in September", Vision, 2004
- ^ a b "History of 8 Days Lent (Ettu Nombu) by Archbishop Mor Chrisostomos, St. Mary - Theotokos - Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Syrian Orthodox Church, Baselios Church Digital Library, Jacobite Church Ohio". Malankaraworld.com. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ "Manarcad church festival on September 1". Thehindu.com. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ "Birthday of Mother Mary – September 8". Summitlighthouse.org. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2017.