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 »
