St. Gregory the Theologian (also known as Gregory of Nazianzus), has left a rich literary heritage, which was translated into Armenian in the 5th to 8th centuries AD. In all probability, St. Moses of Khoronk created part of the translations into Armenian. St. Gregory the Theologian is one of the most prominent figures of... Read More »
Saints Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi In addition to Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel (the four major prophets of the Old Testament), the Armenian Church commemorates the following twelve minor prophets. The Prophets were those persons through which God spoke his will to the people of... Read More »
These names are of Christian origin and in Greek mean wisdom, faith, hope and love. Sophia was a child of a noble family and lived near the city of Rome. Having lost her husband, she completely devoted herself to God. Being an ardent follower of Christ, she raised her three daughters in the Christian... Read More »
The Armenian Church commemorates St Aristages (Aristakes), Vrtanes, Krikoris (Grigoris) and Housik (Husig); St Gregory's sons and grandsons and Daniel the Syrian. The day of commemoration (according to the present calendar in force since 1774-75) falls on the Saturday before the Third Sunday of Transfiguration. The rest of the members of the Gregorid family,... Read More »
The Fast of Catechumens (or Arachavorats Bahk) is peculiar only to the Armenian Church. It begins three weeks before Great Lent. In ancient times people could eat only bread and salt during the Fast of Catechumens. On those days it was not allowed to celebrate the Divine Liturgy either. The meaning of the Fast of... Read More »
On the fifth day (Friday) of the Fasting of Catechumens, the Armenian Church commemorates the remembrance day of the Prophet Jonah. However it is celebrated not as the feast of the Prophet Jonah, but as the memory of an example of great repentance and abstinence, which Jonah urged. The Fast of the Catechumens is... Read More »
Trndez & Diarnt'arach (or Tiarn'ndaraj) On February 14, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation to the Temple. Diarnt'arach, or Candlemas as it is known in the West, symbolises the presentation of the 40 day old Christ Child to the Temple in Jerusalem. In accordance with the Law of Moses,... Read More »
ST SARKIS THE WARRIOR AND HIS SON ST MARDIROS (MARTYROS) The feast day honoring St. Sarkis is movable. It occurs between January 11th and February 15th. Each year it follows the five day Fast of Catechumens. Sarkis was a Greek from the area of Cappadocia on the Anatolian plain. He was a proud, brave... Read More »
St. Sahak is one of the most well known figures in Armenian history. As Catholicos, he supported the work of Mesrob Mashdots in the creation of the Armenian alphabet and the translation of the Bible into Armenian. A scholar and theologian himself, he is counted among the Holy Translators. The trio of King Vramshapuh,... Read More »
The Feast of St. Ghevond the Priest and His Companions is dedicated to the blessed memory of the Armenian priests who fought alongside St. Vartan and the entire Armenian Nation for their Christian faith in 451 A.D. in the Battle of Avarayr. The eldest among them was Priest St. Ghevond, and among his companions... Read More »
Every year, on the Thursday preceding the Great Lent, the Armenian Church celebrates the anniversary of one of the most important events in her history. The event is the great battle of Avarayr between the Armenian soldiers of Christ and the mighty Sassanid Zoroastrian army in the year 451 A. D. The great Commander... Read More »
During different periods of history, the Ecumenical Church has faced various problems of doctrinal, administrative and organisational natures, solutions to which have been provided during the Ecumenical Councils. One of such councils was the Second Ecumenical Council, convened upon the order of the King Theodosios in Constantinople, in 381. As the result of Arian... Read More »