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1. Arms crosswise: She, standing in front of the couple, places her arms
crosswise, the right palm on the head of the bridegroom - seated to
her left - and the left palm on the head of the bride - seated to the
right. The manner of placing the hands crossed reminds us of the
placing of the hands crossed on the offerings of bread and wine by
the priest in the Eucharistic celebration of the Syro- Malabar (East
Syrian) Church.
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2. The women sing the Song of Blessing (Vazhu Pāttu) : more than
merely a song this can be rightly called a Hymn of Benediction,
which is an invocation of posterity and prosperity upon the newly-
formed family. The first stanza is summarised thus: “I give my
benediction to you, so that, you your husband, and your children
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may live a long life”.
3.7.9.3.1 The Song of Blessing (Vazhu Pāttu)

While the mother prayerfully blesses the couple, the women sing this
hymn. This hymn of blessing is almost identical with the wedding
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(Blessing) song of Cochin (Kerala) Jews. This Knānāya hymn of
benediction has 35 lines. Here are a few lines of this hymn illustrating the
richness of this blessing:

May blessed well-being be given unto thee
May you and your husband endowed with children, live for many
years
The earth has been given to you as a fruit to enjoy.

It has been given to you to share with your children
In unlimited prosperity and growth

Life blossoming forth will be yours;
All will be multiplied twofold for you.

109. Cf. P. U. LUKAS, Malayālatte Suriyāni Kristyānikalute Purātanappāttukal (Ancient
th
songs of the Syrian Christians of Malayalam, 1910), 7 Edition, Jyothi Book House,
Kottayam, 1992, pp. 212- 213.
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Cf. VELLIAN, J., Knānite Community History and Culture, Syrian Church Series Vol.
XVII, Jyothi Book House, Kottayam, 2001, p. 71.
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VELLIAN, J., “Marriage Customs of the Kinanites”, in J. VELLIAN (ed.), Crown, Veil,
Cross, Syrian Church Series Vol. XV, Kottayam, 1990, p. 37.
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Cf. JUSSAY, P. M., “The wedding Songs of the Cochin Jews and of the Knānite
Christians of Kerala: A Study in Comparison”, in J. VELLIAN (ed.), Symposium on
Knānites, The Syrian Church Series, Vol. XII, Kottayam, 1986, p. 84.

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