Jump to content

Ettu Nombu: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
cleanup into more idiomatic English; more reference support still needed
no caliphs prior to the seventh century
Line 27: Line 27:
'''Ettu Noyambu''' or the '''Eight Day Lent of Saint [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]]''' the mother of [[Jesus]], is a solemn remembrance of her for [[Saint Thomas Christians|Syrian Christians]].
'''Ettu Noyambu''' or the '''Eight Day Lent of Saint [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]]''' the mother of [[Jesus]], is a solemn remembrance of her for [[Saint Thomas Christians|Syrian Christians]].


Belivers participate in fasting and praying for the eight days. During this time churches celebrate the feast in the 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 lent is rigorously observed from 1st to 8th day of [[September]] with charitable activities, Evangelical conventions and special prayers to honor St. Mary. Praying [[Rosary]] in groups is an important custom these days. The eight day lent period is not a canonical one for the Church but is observed by the Syrian Christians in [[India]] and also in the [[Arabian]] countries.
Belivers participate in fasting and praying for the eight days. During this time churches celebrate the feast in the 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 lent is rigorously observed from 1st to 8th day of [[September]] with charitable activities, Evangelical conventions and special prayers to honor St. Mary. Praying [[Rosary]] in groups is an important custom during these days. The eight day lent period is not a canonical one for the Church but is observed by the Syrian Christians in [[India]] and also in the [[Arabian]] countries.


== Origin stories ==
== Origin stories ==
Line 34: Line 34:
===The narration by Bar Ebroyo===
===The narration by Bar Ebroyo===
{{main|Bar Hebraeus}}
{{main|Bar Hebraeus}}
In the sixth 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 found refuge in Mother Mary and rushed to the church of St. Mary. The priest declared an uncompromising lent for 3 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, illuminated and then spread to 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 pronounced the message of the Mother. The whole congregation praised the Lord and thanked Mother for her intercessory prayers.
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 found refuge in Mother Mary and rushed to the church of St. Mary. The priest declared an uncompromising lent for 3 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, illuminated and then spread to 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 pronounced the message of the Mother. The whole congregation praised the Lord and thanked Mother for her intercessory prayers.


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>

Revision as of 16:29, 27 January 2018

8 Day Lent
250PX
Also calledEttu Noyambu
Begins1 September
Ends8 September
FrequencyAnnual
'The icon of Annunciation'
Holy Girdle of St.Mary

Ettu Noyambu or the Eight Day Lent of Saint Mary the mother of Jesus, is a solemn remembrance of her for Syrian Christians.

Belivers participate in fasting and praying for the eight days. During this time churches celebrate the feast in the remembrance of the birth of St. Mary (Nativity of Mary)[1] and the eight days lent is rigorously observed from 1st to 8th day of September with charitable activities, Evangelical conventions and special prayers to honor St. Mary. Praying Rosary in groups is an important custom during these days. The eight day lent period is not a canonical one for the Church but is observed by the Syrian Christians in India and also in the Arabian countries.

Origin stories

There are different versions about the origin of the lent.

The narration by Bar Ebroyo

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 found refuge in Mother Mary and rushed to the church of St. Mary. The priest declared an uncompromising lent for 3 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, illuminated and then spread to 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 pronounced the message of the Mother. The whole congregation praised the Lord and thanked Mother for her intercessory prayers.

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.[2]

Establishment at Kerala

By 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; and Iraqi migrants of the 8th century further spread this tradition. As it is not a canonical event of the Church calendar its popularity is restricted; however later it came to be a source of help for the women of Kerala. St. Mary's Cathedral, Manarcaud[3], 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.[2][4] 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

  1. ^ "Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary". Franciscanmedia.org. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Manarcad church festival on September 1". Thehindu.com. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Birthday of Mother Mary – September 8". Summitlighthouse.org. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2017.