By Matters India Reporter

Kochi, Aug 24, 2020: Cardinal George Alencherry, head of the Syro-Malabar Church, has urged his people to observe lent for seven days from September 1 to seek divine assistance to fight the coronavirus pandemic that continues to wreak havoc in the world, especially in India.

The cardinal said the decision emerged from the recent Synod of the Church’s bishop.

“Our Church had revived the traditional observation of ‘ettu noyambu’ (eight-day lent) with great significance for the past few years. The synod wants the faithful to observe it with greater fervor this year as the Covid pandemic is spreading fast,” the cardinal said in statement.

The Church also wants people to abstain from meat and fish, besides conducting special prayers for seven days.

Believers fast and pray for the eight days in preparation for the feast of Blessed Virgin’s birthday on September 8. During this time churches celebrate the Nativity of Mary and rigorously engage in charitable activities, evangelical conventions and special prayers to honor Mother Mary.

Praying the rosary in groups is an important custom during these days. The eight days of lent is not canonical for the Church but is observed by the Syrian Christians of India and in Arabian countries.

The Syro-Malabar Church has revived the tradition as part of its attempts to return to its roots. A section of the Church believes that its ancient practices and rituals have been corrupted by the influence of the Latin rite Church introduced in India by western missionaries.

Cardinal Alencherry urges his people to continue to organize special prayers to overcome the pandemic. Another suggestion is to fast on Friday, September 4 by all the faithful.

“On that day, all bishops, religious and priest should offer special Masses to seek divine intervention to overcome the pandemic. Even the faithful should try to attend such Masses as far as possible. We will receive special grace when we all pray as one united congregation,” the cardinal says.

He also urges the faithful to celebrate the feast Nativity with appropriate programs.

The August 18-21 synod was held online as India crossed 3 million people in the country tested Covid-19 positive and recorded 57,000 deaths.