The faithful celebrate feast of St. Mary

The ‘Urulicha Vazhipadu’ performed by the faithful as part of the eight-day Lent at the St. George Orthodox church at Kallumkal, near Thiruvalla, on Tuesday.– Photo: By Special Arrangement

The eight-day Lent in connection with the feast of St. Mary observed by Christians in Central Travancore came to a close with special rituals on Tuesday. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan led the holy tri-mass celebrated at the St. George Orthodox church at Kallumkal near Thiruvalla at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

The faithful observe the eight-day Lent from September 1 to 8 that concludes with the celebration of the feast of St. Mary every year. Hundreds of faithful attended the annual event, marking the culmination of the Lent at various churches in Central Travancore on Tuesday.

A large number of believers thronged the St.George Orthodox Church at Kallumkal where the annual ‘Nercha Urulicha’ offering was held with religious fervour in the forenoon.

According to Fr. M.K. Emmanuel, parish priest, the Kallumkal St. George Orthodox church is the first parish attached to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church to celebrate Virgin Mary’s birthday feast way back in 1942.

The ceremony came to a close with the serving of jaggery rice (Nercha Vilambu) on teak leaves to the faithful in the afternoon.

The feast was celebrated at the St. Mary’s Orthodox church at Kallooppara, St. George Orthodox church at Paliyekkara, St. John’s Malankara Catholic Church at Kadammanitta, Mary Matha Catholic church in Pathanamthitta, St. Mary’s Orthodox Church at Adoor-Karuvatta, and the St. Thomas Catholic Church at Niranom on Tuesday.