Bright Week (S'habtho d'Hevorae)

Bright Week (S'habtho d'Hevorae)

From Easter to the following Saturday, the Syriac Orthodox Church celebrates Bright Week (S'habtho d'Hevorae). Bright Week starts on Easter & ends on the following Saturday, the Sunday after that being New Sunday (had'bshabo hadto or puthu njyaar). In the earliest times of the Church, it was more common for adults to be baptized rather than children, however as attested from the words of the various church fathers, child baptism also existed. The Catechumens (Christian converts awaiting baptism) would be instructed on the faith & traditions of the Church. The days of Great Lent was seen as the best time for them to be taught effectively. Each Catechumen would be sufficiently taught the intricacies of Orthodox Christianity from the basic principles to the finer details, adequately preparing them for their new life as a child of God. Church fathers including St. John Chrysostom agreed that the best day for these Catechumens to be baptized was Easter, therefore at the end of their period of instruction during the Holy Great Lent, the converts would be baptized on Easter Sunday. From Easter to New Sunday there was Holy Qurbono every day, & it was customary for the newly baptized neophytes to wear a shining white robe to church during the week symbolizing the robe of heavenly glory granted to those who've received the Holy Spirit. Mor Dionysius Yac'ub Bar Salibi stresses that the neophytes were to not bathe for 7 days following their baptism. Since the churches & streets were filled with many neophytes wearing their white shining robes, the week became known as Bright Week. The neophytes would then receive Holy Qurbono on New Sunday. While adult baptisms are comparatively less frequent in modern times, & Catechumens may be baptized on days other than Easter, Syriac Orthodox Christians (especially Infants) still wear a white robe after their baptism. Robe of Glory by Dr. Sinu John: https://tinyurl.com/445vteam Significance of Hevorae days (courtesy Hymonutho): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7_KghTETocSyriac Prayers for the week: https://tinyurl.com/mry2yutr Brief explanation: https://goo.gl/h98Q9EHomily 42 'On the Reception of the Holy Mysteries on the Week of Whites' by St. Jacob of Serugh: https://bit.ly/SerughHomily42