Annual feast of St. Mary at Manarcaud church begins on Sept. 1

The annual feast of Saint Mary at St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Cathedral in Manarcaud will begin on September 1.

According to the church managing committee preparations have been completed for the eight-day annual festival. The festival will kick off with the hoisting of the ceremonial flag on Monday. The lent will commence on Sunday evening with a prayer service and, following this, a lamp will be lit on the stone cross.

The holy Eucharist will be celebrated in the second church, Karotte church, at 6 a.m. from September 1 to 8. In the main cathedral, morning prayers will be held at 7.30 a.m., the holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 8. 30 a.m., and evening prayers will be held at 5 p.m. from September 1 to 8.

Minister V.N. Vasavan will inaugurate a public meeting on September 4. A religious procession will be taken out to the Kurisupalli shrine on September 6. Thousands of people are expected to participate in the procession, billed as one of the largest spiritual processions in Asia.

On September 7, the holy picture of Saint Mary with Jesus Christ at the sanctuary (Nada Thurakkal) will be unveiled. The image will be displayed for public viewing till September 14. The feast will conclude on September 8.