8 day Nativity of St.Mary Lent

This is an eight days fast observed only by the Syrian Christians in India, which begins from the first day of September ((Ettu Noimbu).  It seems that this fast originated in connection with the Islamic invasion and the subsequent fall of Kodungallur, the Christian centre.  The Christians vowed to observe a fast so that God might protect their women from the hands of invaders. During this season, women used to remain in the church in prayer and meditation till the afternoon. But it is not considered as an obligatory fast and hence it is not in the canonical list of the Church.