#malankara

Explanation of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Emblem part 2/2 4. In the middle are the two keys which are held together & bound at the ends. This is in reference to St. Peter the Holy Apostle. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to St. Peter saying, "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." (Mathew 16:19) The prayers of the Syriac Orthodox Church call St. Peter as the keeper of the Keys of the Kingdom (Semavoon kabel kleede d'malkooso). St. Peter has traditionally been depicted with these keys in iconography as well. St. Peter is the chief of the Apostles (ris'ho daslihe) & he established the first Apostolic Holy See in Antioch (where believers in Christ were first called Christians, as written in Acts 11:26). The Patriarch of Antioch and all the East is the successor to this Holy Apostolic See. 5. In the bottom centre is a scale. This represents the justice, righteousness & impartiality to be carried out by the Patriarch as a judge in the Church while making decisions, & also symbolizes the protector of the Church's faith, constitution, laws & beliefs. 6. Below the emblem is the title of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate written in Syriac, the official language of the Syriac Orthodox Church. However, in Syria the Arabic inscription is also present. The Syriac inscription is: Paṭriarḵo ḏ-Anṭiuḵia waḏ-Kuloh Maḏĕnḥo The Arabic inscription is: Baṭriyark li-ʾAnṭākya wa-Sāʾir al-Mašriq Both mean, "Patriarch of Antioch and all the East" #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox

"We bow before the Cross, through which we receive salvation. And with the thief we cry out 'Remember us - Christ, King - when You come (into Your kingdom)'" ~#Malankara Prayer during the Celebration of the Cross on Good Friday

Explanation of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Emblem part 1/2 1. At the very top center, is the turban. It symbolizes the Apostolic Succession that our Patriarchs carry. According to ancient traditions, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the napkin that had been around His head (John 20:7) was handed over to St. Peter (Mor Mushe Bar Kifo’s 'Easter Instruction' Chapter 18). Mor Dionysius Bar Salibi has recorded that St. Peter used this napkin as a headdress or headgear/turban (Koobatho). This is why there is a turban, as our Apostolic succession is from St. Peter whose turban was from our Lord Jesus Christ. Additionally, turbans were headgear worn by royalty, so the turban symbolizes the authority of the Patriarch & the bishops. 2. On the left is the cross. The Cross is a symbol of our Lord's Resurrection & His victory over death. The cross is also analogous to the whole Gospel for there is no Gospel of salvation without Christ’s crucifixion on the cross & resurrection from the dead. It is also a great weapon against the evil one & his forces. In the Sh'himo we sing, "The holy martyrs armored with the cross enraged Satan as they persisted in battle." The symbolism of the Holy Cross can be summed up in the following hymn from the service of the Holy Matrimony, "The Cross is the sign of peace & the sign of victory. By the Cross we have been saved & in it we all glory!" 3. On the right is the staff/Crozier (mooroneetho/aamshavadi). It is analogous with a shepherd's staff & representative of a bishop's pastoral authority to take care of his flock. The empty cross represents our Lord who through His resurrection renewed all creation. Secondly, the serpents are an allusion to the story of Moses saving the sinful people of Israel by forming a serpent from a bronze rod (Numbers 21:4-9). The two serpents represent the dual symbolism of the evil serpent in the Garden of Eden leading to the fall of man, while conversely showing the serpent of Moses which was used to heal. Finally, the central cross is always kept above the serpent. This symbolizes that Christ has crushed Satan & by Christ's death, He has trampled death itself. #syriac #orthodox #malankara #church

October 18th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Luke the Evangelist according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Lukose sabrono was born at Antioch and was a gentile. He was a physician & was a disciple of the Holy Apostles (Colossians 4:14). Church historian Eusebius of Caesarea writes that St. Luke was of Greek origin. St. Paul recorded that Luke was with him at the close of his ministry.(2 Timothy 4:11) St. Luke was a fellow labourer of St. Paul in the missionary tours (Philemon 1:24). They earned their own living, “Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, for those who were with me” (Acts 20:34). Paul did the tent-making & Luke practised medicine (Acts 18:3). Luke travelled along with St. Paul to Jerusalem. It is assumed that when St. Paul was in prison, Luke had occasion to interact with the other apostles & to collect materials to write the gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. He is the only Gospel writer not of Jewish origin. The Gospel according to St. Luke is unique in certain respects. The childhood of Jesus is described in this gospel. The Magnificat is included in this gospel (Luke 1:46-56). Luke might have visited St. Mary to collect these details. St. Luke is the first iconographer, he wrote the icon of St. Mary the mother of God which is kept in St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church at the house of St. Mark (Dayro d-Mor Marqos) in Jerusalem. St. Like departed for the heavenly abode at the age of 84 at Boetia or Bithynia. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Lukose sabrono! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #saint #assyrian

This Thursday October 12th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Cosmas and St. Damian +306 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Qozma & Mor Dumyana were twin brothers. They were born in Arabia & they studied the sciences in Syria & became eminent in their skills in medicine. They treated patients without taking any fee, instead asking those who were healed to believe in Christ Jesus. They were imprisoned by the order of Lysias, governor of Cilicia. The brothers were persecuted for their faith in Christ. It is recorded that while they were hanging on crosses, the mob stoned them, but the stones flew backwards & hit the tormentors; similarly, the arrows of archers who were brought up to shoot at them turned in the air & scattered the bowmen. After various torments, they were beheaded for the faith. Thus Mor Cosmas & Mor Damian attained the crown of martyrdom. Three others, Anthimus, Leontius & Euprepius are also said to have been martyred with them. Many miracles of healing were ascribed to them after their death. St. Cosmas & St. Damian are the patron saints of doctors. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Qozma & Mor Dumyana! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #doctor #saint #assyrian

October 17th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Ignatius of Antioch +107 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Ignatius Noorono was the third Patriarch of Antioch, the successor to St. Peter the chief of the Apostles. Church historian Eusebius of Caesarea writes that St. Ignatius succeeded St. Evodius, likewise St. John Chrysostom states St. Peter specifically chose St. Ignatius to be his successor. Ignatius is also called Theophorus in Greek which means 'God-Borne' because of the tradition that he was the child Christ held according to the Gospel of Matthew 18:2-3. Theophorus may also be interpreted as 'God-Bearer' because of the virtue practiced by Ignatius in witnessing God as is expected of every true believer. In Syriac he is given the title Noorono or 'Illuminator/fire-bearer'. St. Ignatius wrote 7 letters to root out the heresies which were plaguing the early Church. The letters are addressed to Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, & to his friend St. Polycarpos the bishop of Smyrna. He wrote these letters en route from Smyrna to Rome where he was to be executed. St. Ignatius was ordered to be executed by Roman Emperor Trajan. Bishop Polycarp welcomed St. Ignatius on his way to Rome (to be executed) under armed guard. Several Syrian Christian delegates from other churches at Smyrna received him. At Rome he was thrown into the amphitheater filled with voracious lions to be devoured on October 17th. It is said that only the toughest of his bones remained. Thus Mor Ignatius Noorono attained the crown of martyrdom. His relics were then taken to Antioch & venerated by the pious believers. Emperor Theodosius II later moved his relics to another church in the city on December 20th. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Ignatius Noorono! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #fathers #saint #assyrian

This Sunday October 15th is the Commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Isaiah/Jesaja of Aleppo according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Esha'yo Holoboyo was one of the disciples of Mor Augin, who moved to Anhel in Tur'Abdin. His parents were wealthy people from Aleppo. They gave him a good education and he married when he was 22- but against his will. During the wedding night he and his young wife, Hanna, an angel appeared. Mor Esha'ya and Hanna agreed to move on to live in abstinence. Mor Esha'ya met Mor Augin on the way to Mesopotamia and from this meeting, the desire developed in Mor Esha'ya to become a monk . But he first asked Hanna if she wanted to become a nun. They parted and Mor Esha'ya followed Mor Augin to preach and to live a life of healing. After he had settled in Anhel, he made a pilgrimage to Palestine. When he visited his wife Hanna, near Aleppo, in her monastery, he found her dying on her deathbed. He wept bitterly, but he saw the room lit up as she handed her soul to her Lord. After he had returned to Anhel, he baptized many people in the town. Biography researched and translated by Miss. Ranya Kucukkaplan Oh Mor Esha'yo Holoboyo! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #fathers #saint #assyrian

September 29th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of Qooberneeyto Hakeemo Mor Clemis Abraham Vayala +2002 the Chief Metropolitan of the East. A stalwart son of the Syriac Orthodox Church, he offered courageous leadership in all endeavours for the protection of the true faith. For his dedicated service to the Church & excellent leadership capabilities, he was awarded the title Qooberneeyto Hakeemo (wise captain) by the thrice blessed late Patriarch HH Mor Ignatius Zakka I of blessed memory during the Apostolic visit to Malankara in 1982. He was elevated to the rank of Chief Metropolitan of the East in 1989. Mor Clemis worked tirelessly for the growth of the Knanaya community. He faithfully served the Syriac Orthodox Church for over half a century. #syriacorthodox #syriacorthodoxchurch #syrianorthodox #syrianorthodoxchurch #syriac #orthodox #patriarch #antioch #malankara #jacobite #knanaya #suryoyo #suryoye #aramean #christian #jesus #church #bible #orientalorthodox #bishop #edessa #kna #kna345