Koodhosh Eetho (Sanctification) Sunday

Koodhosh Eetho (Sanctification) Sunday

The Sanctification of the Church (Qudosh `Idto) according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.The Sunday that comes on or after October 30th is called Koodhosh Eetho/Sanctification/Consecration Sunday. It is the beginning of the Syriac Church liturgical calendar. In the Syriac version of the Bible (Peshito), the name Qudosh Idto is the name given to the feast of the dedication of the Jerusalem temple (John 10:22). The early Christians celebrated this feast as the sanctification of all the altars in all Churches throughout the world. One of the earliest recorded evidence of this feast is given by Egeria during her pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The origins of this feast are quite Biblical in nature. The dedication of the places for worship in ancient Israel provided a reason for the ‘blessing’ of the churches. In fact the Old Testament refers to the dedication of the tabernacle (Ex.40:1-11); Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 8) and the Second temple under Zerubbabel (Ezra 6:6-17). The Temple and the altar were rebuilt & re-dedicated under the Maccabees (Mac.4; 2 Mac. 10). Mor Mushe bar Kifo stated that through the consecration of the church, the faithful receive a blessing from God & they will all be spiritually renewed. By celebrating the consecration of the church (Qudosh ‘idto) every year, the Church is expected to renew & rededicate itself as a community bearing the beacon of light to the society around, which fumbles in the darkness of evil. It is the time though prayer & hard work that the community strive to be as good as Christ in rendering selfless service to fellow-being & to live a holy life to the glory of God & in tune with His statutes. Jesus Christ prayed to His Father to sanctify His disciples & His Church: “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth. As you did send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, and they also may be consecrated in truth” (Jn 17: 17-19). Thus in the Fenqitho, the evening prayer of the dedication of the church is as follows: "Make to cease in your churches rivalries & disunity, that peace & tranquillity may abound in them, in every place, Lord, & strengthen them by Your Cross, that in their assemblies they may praise you with joy." The liturgy of consecration informs us that the feast day is to be a reminder, to be a day of rest, to be an occasion of giving thanks, to be a time to repent, to be a day of reading the Scripture. On the consecration day, the clergy request the Lord to “protect her [the Church] communities & guard her children; widen her borders & establish her foundation with the supports of your firm knowledge.” Traditional theology says that the Church is the body of Christ & not merely an association or incorporation of people. Christ sanctified her by His sacrifice & continues with the sanctification process. On the Qudosh ‘Idto Sunday, the faithful work together by putting away their differences to glorify His Name through words & deeds with the help of His Holy Spirit. Sanctification is the process of becoming holier by taking divine properties of God. Man does not become divine, but, in Christ, he can partake in divine nature. It restores God's image in man. It is in close union with God that the image is restored. The Gospel for the morning is from St. Matthew 16:13-23. Here we read Christ asks His Holy Apostles, "Whom do you say I am?" to which St. Peter the chief of the Apostles answers, "Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God". Our Lord blesses St. Peter for his admission of faith, which was "not revealed by flesh & blood, but by the Father in heaven." Christ then entrust to Peter the Holy Church saying, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, & upon this rock I will build my church; & the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: & whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: & whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."As we begin a New Year in the Church let us allow our body & soul to be purified. May our Church community be strengthened & may we faithful Syriac Orthodox Christians be like St. Peter; ever willing to affirm the true faith that Christ is the Son of God.Sources: 'A Brief Historical Introduction to the West Syrian Liturgical Calendar' by Fr. Biju M. Parekkattil, Hekamtho Journal Volume 2 November 2016' & 'The Rite of Consecration of the Church according to the Syrian Orthodox Tradition' doctoral thesis of HE Mor Silvanos AyubThe Holy Bible readings from the Church Lectionary:Evening:St. Matthew 16:13-23Morning:St. John 21:15-22Before Holy Qurbono:Exodus 33:5-11I Kings 6: 1-8Jeremiah 31:10-14, 22-26Ezekiel 9:1-10, 5:18-22Holy Qurbono:Acts 7:44-53Hebrews 9:1-14St. Mark 8:27-33For sermons/commentaries based on the Gospel: https://goo.gl/RM6cMSTone of the Day: 1 (5 for alternate days of the week)Hymns: https://goo.gl/A7UZG7Syriac Prayers: https://tinyurl.com/msjs4cmh Surgodo, Studies on SOC Calendar (courtesy Hymonutho): https://bit.ly/HymonuthoSurgodo