Season of Annunciation
| Season of Annunciation | |
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Ancient Christian Icon depicting the Annunciation by St. Gabriel to Mary | |
| Official name | ܣܘܒܪܐ |
| Also called | Suboro/Subbara/Suvara |
| Observed by | Assyrian Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic Church, Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Syriac Orthodox Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Maronite Church |
| Type | Christian |
| Liturgical seasons |
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The Season of Annunciation or Season of Announcements (Syriac: ܫܒܘܥܐ ܕܣܒܪܐ), also known by various Syriac transliterations such as Subara, Suvara, Subbara, or Suboro (Syriac: ܣܘܒܪܐ), is a liturgical season in Syriac Christianity. The name of the season is in reference to the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary, that she would conceive and bear a son through a virgin birth and become the mother of Jesus Christ.
The Period of Annunciation is present in both the East and West Syriac rites, covering the Sundays before Christmas. In the East Syriac tradition, the liturgical year starts with the Period of Annunciation, and is equivalent to the season of Advent in the Western liturgical tradition. Like Advent, it is a time for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus. But unlike Advent, the whole season is a celebration of the Nativity, while in Advent the first 24 days are a preparation for the Nativity on 25 December. Traditionally, in both rites, the depiction of the Annunciation has been popular in Syriac literature and art.
Historically, the Annunciation season in the Syro-Malabar Church came to an end in early January with the feast of Epiphany (Pindikuthi Perunnal) which was the more celebrated feast. But by the 20th century, due to influence of the Western tradition and the secular world, Christmas day (December 25) became the focal point of the season. The season is also celebrated on March 25 in the Feast of the Annunciation.