Suroyo traditions: Beginning of the Great Lent

@gazetesabro – The ancient Syriac people continue to maintain their cultural values and religious traditions today. Today for 50 days, many Suroye/Suraye (Syriacs) around the world have started fasting with the commencement of Great Lent (“Sawmo rabo”).

Great Lent is structured in a period of 40 days of fasting and the “Passion” week preceding Easter.

Fasting lasts every day until evening prayers, after which Suraye break their fast. They honor Jesus Christ by not consuming meat, milk, and animal products. People with health problems can fast for shorter periods.

Easter (“Nuhomo”) is central in the Syriac people’s festive year and celebrated with great collective enthusiasm.

ܡܬܟܫܦ ܐܢܐ ܘܒܥܐ ܐܢܐ ܡܢ ܚܘܒܟ̣ܘܢ ܫܪܝܪܐ ܬܘ ܐܚ̈ܝ ܘܚܒܝ̈ܒܝ ܢܬܪܥܐ ܥܡ ܚܕܕ̈ܐ ܕܢܬܪܥܐ ܠܢ ܐܠܗܐ

I pray and beseech your true love, O brethren and beloved ones, let us be reconciled to one another that God may be reconciled to us.
(From the Service of Reconciliation at the beginning of Lent) pic.twitter.com/70HeoHAl8g

— Mor Aphrem II (@MorAphremII) March 14, 2021