Liturgical Seasons

The Liturgical Seasons are the 9 seasons of the holy catholic church. It includes the Annunciation, Nativity, Epiphany, the Dedication of the Church, Moses + Elijah + Cross, the Season of Lent, Easter, the Season of Apostles, and Qaitha (Summer Season). We have these seasons because they all represent an event in Jesus’s life. Without these seasons, we would be praying the same thing during mass every time and we wouldn't be organized at all.

The Liturgical Seasons are also different from the Western Rites because Western Rite parishes do not all use the same liturgy. They often use a particular liturgy depending upon their individual connections prior to entering Orthodoxy. But, there are also nine different liturgies in Western Rite parishes just like there are in the Liturgical Seasons.

The Annunciation is also the name of one of the Joyful Mysteries. In this mystery, Mary, Mother of Jesus is told by an Angel named Gabriel that she will have a son called Jesus who would save the people of the world. During this time Christians commemorate the announcement of Jesus' birth, John the Baptists' annunciation of his birth, the birth of John the baptist, creation of humanity, our forefathers losing God's grace, and God's promise to bring a redeemer to save humanity. We are reminded of our sins and we strive to seek forgiveness and to be reconciled with God.

The liturgical season of the Annunciation begins on Nov 27th and ends on Dec 3 according to the Eastern Syriac Rite.We remember how Mary, mother of Jesus, cooperated with God and trusted in his plan for our salvation.

Nativity is the shortest season in Syro-Malabar liturgical calendar. It is the time between Christmas and the Feast of Denha. The two weeks after the Nativity proclaim the events related to the incarnation and the whole life of Jesus before His public ministry. The Magi remind us that we need to seek Jesus actively to find Him who reveals Himself in our daily life. The young Jesus in the temple teaches us that true worship of God happens only when there is a real relationship with God.

Feast of Divine Motherhood of Mary and Feast of Holy Family is also commemorated in this time. In some traditions, the season of Nativity is considered along with the season of Annunciation. This may be due to the fact that in the early church, the birth of Jesus was commemorated along with His baptism at the Feast of Denha.

Epiphany is the 3rd season of the liturgical calendar in the Syro-Malabar rite. The feast of Epiphany commemorates the Baptism of Jesus and we celebrate it on the 6th of January. The season of Epiphany starts after the season of Nativity and goes one until the first Sunday of Lent, which is the 4th liturgical season.

The word Epiphany means Divine Revelation. Epiphany is also called Deneha, which is a Syriac word for sunrise or revelation. The feast is also known as Rakkulipperunnal or Pindikuthipperunnal in Kerala. During this period, we remember and celebrate these mysteries of salvation: The Holy Trinity, the divine and human natures of Jesus, His sonship of God, and the public life of Jesus.

On the Fridays of the Deneha period, the Church celebrates the feasts of saints. The Church remembers those saints who, through their lives became witnesses to Jesus and led humanity to Him, the Light of the world. The last Friday of the Epiphany season is dedicated to the memory of “all souls''-who have departed in the name of the Lord.

Lent is a 40 day period of fasting and abstinence observed by the Catholic church; it is the fourth season in the Syro-Malabar liturgical year that commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness in fasting and prayer in preparation for his public life. In Malayalam it is known as valiyanombu.

The season starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. During Lent, we pray to God, read the scripture, and practice self-control through fasting and abstinence. We also take time to look out for the needy and people who are less fortunate and we donate to charities that help the world. The prayers the Achan prays can be found starting on page 206 and ending on page 220 in the Qurbana book. The prayers of the season are Season of Lent: Opening Prayer, Psalm, Prayers Of Proclamation(Karozuza), Hymn Of The Mysteries, Eucharistic Praise, Prayers Of Thanksgiving, and Prayers Of Sealing.

The main event commemorated is Good Friday when Jesus was crucified and on that day death was removed from the world and humanity was saved from their sins. Easter Sunday is also an important day because it is the resurrection and marks a joyful end of Lent.

This season remembers the events from the Resurrection of Jesus to Pentecost. The season lasts for seven weeks. The first Friday of this season is celebrated as the Memorial of 'all saints and Martyrs'. The Sunday after the feast of resurrection is known as the New Sunday (Puthunjayar)that commemorates the proclamation of faith in Jesus by St. Thomas, the Apostle.

This season gives the good news that the Risen Lord, who entrusted Simon Peter and other Apostles and their successors with the task of leading the flock, is with them till the end of the world. Moreover, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated on the 40th day after the feast of the resurrection.Hence, this season asks the faithful to ponder on heaven, resurrection and eternal life. It is only through Jesus Christ, the savior, one can attain eternal life.

The church upholds the example of the apostles who spent their whole time in the temple as per the command of Jesus at the time of His Ascension. The church asks us to wait hopefully for the joy of the Pentecost In the church where heaven and earth united.

The season of Apostles or Sleeva consists of seven weeks, starting from the feast of Pentecost. The season focuses on the themes such as divine call, commissioning to preach the Good News and witnessing to Jesus. Pentecost is the day on which the Apostles Received the Holy Spirit.

This season emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit In the church. The first Friday of this season is known as the Golden Friday, reminding us that if one asks in the name of Jesus, it will be received, just like the crippled beggar who got cured by Peter.

Kaithakalam translates to summer season in English. It’s the 6th liturgical season of the Syro Malabar Church. Kaithakalam starts on July 27th and ends on September 6th.

The Summer season has a theme of spiritual harvest, reflecting on the fruits of the missionary labors of the Apostles. We commemorate the growth of the church, a symbol of the kingdom of heaven.

The first Sunday of Kaitha commemorates the feast of the twelve apostles. On the Fridays of this season, we remember the martyrs and saints who witnessed Jesus courageously and thus ensured the church's growth through their martyrdom.

The Season of Elijah, Cross, and Moses indicates the second coming of Jesus and the ultimate success of the cross. This season lasts 6-11 weeks starting on the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, September 11th, and ending on November 27th . The main event of this season is the feast of the Exaltation of the cross where we honour the cross on which Jesus died. This feast is celebrated on September 14th.

Although the eight 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.

Pallikudassa, more often known as the liturgical Season Of Dedication of the Church is the last period of our liturgical year. Pallikudassa lasts for 4 weeks. At the beginning of this season, we dwell upon Christ offering his bride which is the Church, to his father after the last judgement. At the cease of times, the church, with her children meets her bridegroom in the bridal room of the unsurpassed Jerusalem.

This is a preview of the eternal bliss that awaits us.