Orthodox Church Observes the Birthday of St.Mary.
Many said that we dont celebrate birthdays. As an early church this is true. But to us we celebrate two persons birthdays other than Lord Jesus Christ. Please See our "Sabha Panchangam-2004"
1) Birth day of John the Baptist and 2) Birth day of St.Mary.
There is a reson behind this celebration as a church.
Because of John the Baptist's birth, Jesus of Nazareth was revealedas the Messiah.
Because of St.Mary's birth, we got salvation.
Now let us talk about why this is not accepted as a canonicallent....
As per the faith of the church, When Qurbana is there, lent can not to be observed.
Why?
Bible teaches us "Manavalan Koode Ullappol Thozhmakkar Upavasikkendathilla"
When we celebrate Qurbana and receive the body and blood of Christ, we have to break the fast. This is why we do not celebrate Qurbana on lenten days.
But many of our churches named after St.Mary, celebrate the birthday of St.Mary for 8 days by celebrating Holy Qurbana. Why? In our experience, if we are not coducting servises in our churches, people will go to any of the Catholic churches or syrian Orthodox churches nearby. Do we have to encourage, the massive flow of our ladies to other faiths? Answer me...But we priests surley announce these facts before strting the celebration. Many listen to us and our faith and dicontinue fasting and observe abstination only. If so what is wrong with celebrating the nativity of St.Mary by attending the Holy Qurbana for 8 days? Intercession to saints is our
fundamental faith. The church never limited it to any particular days.
On lenten days we fast and abstain ourselves from certain food items. But abstination and fasting are two different things.
I am sure none of the authors who all posted articles regarding this, observe any of the the lenten days of the church as instructed by the church. If it was so the devil will not have been in our midst. Remember, It is him, instigates you all to drop the idea of fasting. Once if any one tasted the sweetness of fasting, will never
open his mouth against fasting. Because it is the only weapon given by the Lord to fight against the devil. Only protestants are against
it. We are not.
Dont make a big fuss on this....we have adopted "Thali" from Hindu custom and merged it with our Marriage ritual..Only thing we have done is, we had redefined it. That means.....
