For Syrian Catholics, praying the rosary in groups is an important custom during these days.

The eight days of lent is not a canonical one for the Church but is observed by the Syrian Christians of India and also of the Near Eastern countries.

It appears that this practice originated in connection with the Islamic invasion and the subsequent fall of Kodungallur, a Christian centre in Kerala.

In the seventh century, there was a town called Heera near Basra, which was predominantly a Christian township.

The priest declared an uncompromising lent for three days invoking the intercession of mother Mary.

On the 3rd day, in the middle of the Holy Qurbana, a golden beam of light flashed down from above, then spread to illuminate the whole church.

[3] The women then decided to observe a lent for eight days (i.e. from the 1st to the 8th of September in commemoration of this event).