Season of Summer (liturgy)

This article is about the East Syriac Christian Liturgical Calendar. For other uses, see Season of Summer (liturgy) (disambiguation).

Season of Qaita
Jesus harvesting in vineyard.
Observed by	East Syriac Christians
Type	Christian, cultural
Significance	Commemoration of the maturity and fruitfulness of Church
Observances	Church services
Begins	six to seven Sundays after Pentecost
Frequency	Annual
Related to	East Syriac Rite, Syro Malabar Church

'The Weeks of Qaita' is one of the eight seasons in the Liturgical Year of the east Syriac Christian rite. Along the weeks of Qaita, maturity and fruitfulness of church are commemorated. The Syriac word Qaita means “summer”. Summer is the time when grains and fruits mature and ripen. Thus it is a time of plentiful harvest for the Church. The fruits of the Church are those of holiness and martyrdom. While the sprouting and infancy of the Church were celebrated in 'the Weeks of the Apostles,' her development in different parts of the world by reflecting the image of the heavenly Kingdom and giving birth to many saints and martyrs are proclaimed during this season. Fridays of this Season are set apart for honoring Saints and Martyrs.

Feast celebrated during the season:

• Feast of twelve of apostles and Nusardeil on the first Sunday of Qaita. (Nusardeil is a Persian word which means “God-given New Year Day”.)
• Feast of Mar Jacob of Nisibis on the first Friday of Qaita.
• Feast of Mar Mari on the second Friday of Qaita.
• Feast of Marta Simoni and her Seven Children on the fifth Friday of Qaita.
• Feast of Mar Shimun Bar Sabbai and Companions on the sixth Friday of Qaita.
• Feast of martyr Mar Quardag on the seventh Friday of Qaita.

The following feasts are commemorated in the season of Qaita

• Feast of seventy disciples of Jesus (July 27)
• Feast of Saint Alphonsa in Syro Malabar Catholic Church (July 28)
• Feast of Transfiguration of Jesus (August 6)
• Feast of Assumption of Mary (August 15)