Syriac Orthodox Church marks Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with prayer, fasting, and enduring traditions

BETH NAHRIN — Within the Christian liturgical calendar, the Syriac Orthodox Church observes numerous feasts throughout the year. Among these, the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary — commemorated annually on 15 August — holds profound spiritual and symbolic significance.

The feast affirms the Church’s enduring belief that death is not the end of human existence, and that love and faith remain the guiding principles toward eternal life. In the Syriac tradition, it is known in the local dialect as Shahro d-Yoldath Aluho.

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 commemoration typically extends over several days, featuring solemn prayers, liturgical services, and devotional practices. These include overnight vigils of thanksgiving, the public reading of Holy Scripture, and supplications seeking the intercession and blessings of the Virgin Mary.

A distinctive custom of the feast is the distribution of grapes — either in the church or directly by parishioners — to the poor, the needy, relatives, and neighbors, symbolizing generosity, blessing, and communal solidarity.

Read Also: SYRIA: Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary in Sednaya, Marmarita, and villages of the Khabur

Grapes hold deep theological significance in Christianity as the source of wine, which, during the Divine Liturgy, is consecrated to represent the Blood of Christ. Bread, in turn, symbolizes His Body, together forming the central mystery of the Eucharist.

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

Preparation for the feast traditionally begins with a fast starting on 1 August. While practices vary, some observe a five-day fast, abstaining from meat and all animal-derived products.

Regional customs add further richness to the celebration. In the historic Tur Abdin region, the faithful break their fast with grapes after the liturgy. In Tel Tamer, at the heart of the Khabur River Valley, both grapes and figs are distributed among congregants and neighbors. In Syrian towns such as Sednaya, Marmarita, and Salnfeh, public festivities and brass band performances highlight the communal joy of the occasion.

A lasting testament to the veneration of the Virgin Mary in the Syriac Orthodox tradition is the historic Church of Our Lady of the Zunnar in Hmoth (Homs), dating back to the first century AD, around 59. The church houses a revered relic — the girdle of the Virgin Mary’s garment — believed to date to the time of her Assumption, offering a tangible connection to the earliest era of Christian devotion.