On December 1st the Syriac Orthodox faithful of Malankara will commence the Fast of the Nativity of our Lord (sawmo d’Mawlodho d’Moran).
The Christmas fast used to last for 40 days as recorded in the Hudaya Canon of Mor Gregorios Yuhannon bar’Ebroyo. However, the Church later shortened the period to 25 days. The Christmas fast is practiced in preparation for welcoming the commemorative day of Lord Jesus’ birth in the flesh & in memory of the grief brought by sin, which we experienced before the Lord’s birth.
