Archdeacons, Medieval History, Nasrani History, Tomb of Archdeacons

Dear Ethak: One comment regarding the Prophet Jonah. If …

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Comment posted Role, Characteristics, List and Tomb of Archdeacons (Arkadiyakons) of Saint Thomas Christians by John Mathew.

Dear Ethak:

One comment regarding the Prophet Jonah. If you are talking about the 3 day fast done in his honor, it is called the “Rogation of the Ninevites”. It is most certainly *not* a Jewish tradition! It is a Syrian tradition — since the Syrians believe themselves to be the descendants of the Ninevites. The fast is done in honor of the Ninevites who implored God’s mercy after the prophecy of Jonah.

Again: this is not proof of Jewish origin (in case anyone wants to use it) as the Syrians of Mesopotamia developed this fast to remember how their ancestors, the Ninevites, fasted to gain God’s mercy.

This Syrian tradition originated in Mesopotamia and was originally followed by both the Church of the East and the Syriac Orthodox, including their descendants in Kerala. Through them, their Uniate schismatic factions (including the Syro-Malabar in Kerala which split form the Church of the East when the Portuguese came over) also adopted them.

It is also followed by our Orthodox cousins in Egypt, Ethiopia and Armenia to a lesser extent.