Chicago Malankara Christmas Service

St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church in Evanston will be celebrating our Christmas celebration on Saturday, December 24th, 2016 at 7 pm. This vigil service will incorporate an evening prayer followed by the burning of palms that were distributed on Palm Sunday, so please bring all your old palms from your house on the 24th. The above image demonstrates the process of burning the palms, called "Thee Uzhalicha" in Malayalam. Everybody circling the fire pit must throw the incense that was given to them from the priest, which symbolizes the birth of hope for mankind. The picture was taken on Christmas day in 2011 in Thiruvananthapuram with his holiness Moran Mor Baselios Mar Cleemis, the Major Archbishop of the Malankara Catholic Church (at the time). Following the palm burning is the Holy Qurbono. The night will also comprise of dinner with live stage events.