Dear all .. I know this question is a bit late, but I was just wondering the 3 days we fast do they resemble Nineveh's or Jonah's fast for repentance? Thanks :)
This is from the Syrian Orthodox Church website, the Fast originated among the Syrians..
The three day fast of Nineveh commemorates the three days that Prophet Jonah spent inside the fish (for the story, see the Book of Jonah in the Old Testament). This fast is unique to the Syriac Orthodox Church which it passed to other Oriental Churches such as Coptic and Armenian. It is observed for three days from the tenth Monday before Easter Sunday.
Historically, this fast is one of the most rigorously observed fasts in the Syriac Orthodox Church. The faithful traditionally refrain from food and drink for three consecutive days, from Monday till Wednesday! Some observe the fast by refraining from food (and drink if they so wish) from morning till sunset during the three days. The church enjoins you to at least refrain from meat, fish and dairy products during the period of fasting.
The faithful are urged to go to church after this fast (or the following Sunday) and receive the Holy Qurbono (the Eucharist).
Hymns from the Shhimo (Syriac Orthodox Book of Simple Prayer)
The Ninevites trembled at the voice of Yonah, the son of Mattay, and took refuge in penitence by watching, fasting and prayer; and by tears and groans the sentence of judgment pronounced by Yonah concerning the destruction of Nineveh was annulled. Blessed be the Compassionate one who turned them from evil to good. (Thursday Evening Prayer)
God, who heard the prayer of the son of Mattay in the sea and commanded the mighty fish to cast him up in three days, hear our prayer and be reconciled with us and respond in your mercy to our requests; and if we have angered you, there are those who will reconcile you with us, the just who died for your love (Wednesday Morning Prayer).
I think that the Fast commemorates both the fasting of the Ninevites as they asked for mercy, and the enforced fasting of Jonah in the great fish as he also asked for mercy. Certainly in the Syrian tradition it is called the Fast of Nineveh but in our Coptic tradition it is called both the Fast of Nineveh and the Fast of Jonah.
I think I agree with your last statement that the fast commemorates both Jonah and Nineveh, because when I read the gospel responses for Monday it seemed like it combined both their fasts:
Monday Matins: But deal with us O my Lord, like the people of Nineveh, who has repented, and You forgave them their sins. Monday Liturgy: O You who kept Jonah, in the belly of the whale, when he was thrown in the depth of the sea, keep us with Your power.
That's what confused me in the first place.. but thanks so much abouna :)
[quote author=ninevites link=topic=7739.msg145392#msg145392 date=1317340525] Actually it originated from the Assyrians. Assyrians are from Assyria (Northern Iraq) today, they live in the Nineveh Plains.
The Syrian Orthodox Church is also called the Syriac Orthodox Church. They are Assyrians but do not like to use that label so that it is not confused with the Assyrian Church of the East which is a modern day decendency from the Nestorians and their heresy.
Exception: The Armenian Church when making reference to their true Sister Church of Syria will call them the "Assyrian" Church. I would repeat, in this case, they are not referring in any sense that they are affiliated with the heretical Nestorians.
Comments
The three day fast of Nineveh commemorates the three days that Prophet Jonah spent inside the fish (for the story, see the Book of Jonah in the Old Testament). This fast is unique to the Syriac Orthodox Church which it passed to other Oriental Churches such as Coptic and Armenian. It is observed for three days from the tenth Monday before Easter Sunday.
Historically, this fast is one of the most rigorously observed fasts in the Syriac Orthodox Church. The faithful traditionally refrain from food and drink for three consecutive days, from Monday till Wednesday! Some observe the fast by refraining from food (and drink if they so wish) from morning till sunset during the three days. The church enjoins you to at least refrain from meat, fish and dairy products during the period of fasting.
The faithful are urged to go to church after this fast (or the following Sunday) and receive the Holy Qurbono (the Eucharist).
Hymns from the Shhimo (Syriac Orthodox Book of Simple Prayer)
The Ninevites trembled at the voice of Yonah, the son of Mattay, and took refuge in penitence by watching, fasting and prayer; and by tears and groans the sentence of judgment pronounced by Yonah concerning the destruction of Nineveh was annulled. Blessed be the Compassionate one who turned them from evil to good. (Thursday Evening Prayer)
God, who heard the prayer of the son of Mattay in the sea and commanded the mighty fish to cast him up in three days, hear our prayer and be reconciled with us and respond in your mercy to our requests; and if we have angered you, there are those who will reconcile you with us, the just who died for your love (Wednesday Morning Prayer).
I think that the Fast commemorates both the fasting of the Ninevites as they asked for mercy, and the enforced fasting of Jonah in the great fish as he also asked for mercy. Certainly in the Syrian tradition it is called the Fast of Nineveh but in our Coptic tradition it is called both the Fast of Nineveh and the Fast of Jonah.
Father Peter
I think I agree with your last statement that the fast commemorates both Jonah and Nineveh, because when I read the gospel responses for Monday it seemed like it combined both their fasts:
Monday Matins:
But deal with us O my Lord, like the people of Nineveh, who has repented, and You forgave them their sins.
Monday Liturgy:
O You who kept Jonah, in the belly of the whale, when he was thrown in the depth of the sea, keep us with Your power.
That's what confused me in the first place.. but thanks so much abouna :)
Actually it originated from the Assyrians. Assyrians are from Assyria (Northern Iraq) today, they live in the Nineveh Plains.
Do you have a reference?
Exception:
The Armenian Church when making reference to their true Sister Church of Syria will call them the "Assyrian" Church. I would repeat, in this case, they are not referring in any sense that they are affiliated with the heretical Nestorians.