Syriac Traditions: August 15, Assumption Day of the Virgin Mary

August 15 is Assumption Day. Churches of the Syriac tradition celebrate the bodily Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Syriacs call this Sahro d’Yoldath Aloho in native Surayt.

It is custom for Syriacs to spend the night inside the church for thanksgiving, Bible reading, and praying for the blessing of the Virgin Mary.

In the morning of August 15, Syriacs attend mass.

ܥܐܕܐ ܒܪܝܟܐ ܕܫܘܢܝܐ ܕܡܪܬܝ ܡܪܝܡ ܝܠܕܬ ܐܠܗܐ

Blessed #AssumptionDay
of Saint Mary Mother of God

📸 Icons of the Dormition of#Saint_Mary

– Maronite Atelier of Cyprus (blue).
– Atelier of Kaslik (beige).

Tur Levnon / Liturgy Department
ܛܘܪ ܠܒܢܢ ♰ ܚܘܝܕܐ ܣܘܪܝܝܐ ܡܪܘܢܝܐ pic.twitter.com/TGZhViG81y

— Tur Levnon ܛܘܪ ܠܒܢܢ (@tur_levnon) August 15, 2021

The days before the Sahro the faithful fast for five days in which they abstain from animal food, and only break the fast after mass.

In the traditional Syriac region of Tur Abdin, it is custom to break the fast after mass with grapes.

Grapes have an important place in Christianity as wine is made out them and used in the most important rituals of the church.

As per tradition during St. Mary's bodily assumption, St. Thomas was late to witness the event. But as proof, St. Mary gave her girdle/belt, to show the other Apostles that they may know. Here is a hymn of St. Thomas narrating these events sung before the Gospel reading for feast pic.twitter.com/inDi50E7hf

— Wisdom of the Syriac Orthodox Church ♰ (@SyriacMalankara) August 14, 2021