Today commemorates the eve (paregentan) of the Fast of St. James (Hagop) of Nisibus.
The five day fast, Monday to Friday, leads us to the Feast of St. James, which is next Saturday. Traditionally the entire fifty day period of Advent was a period of fasting, similar to Great Lent. In modern times, three week long (Monday to Friday) fasts are observed during Advent: Fast of Advent (Hisnagats Bahk), Fast of St James (Sourp Hagopee Bahk), and the Fast of the Nativity (Dznuntyan Bahk).
