The Fast of Catechumens 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. In those days the Divine Liturgy was not celebrated either. The meaning of the Fast of Catechumens is the purification 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. Prophet Jonah is one of the... 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 »
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. 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 »
