The Eve of the Fast of Advent marks the day before the start of the period of “Fifty Days” (Hisnag or Yisnak) that concludes with the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Armenian Church, the season is introduced by a week of fasting, called “the Fast of... Read More »
The Season of Advent refers to the coming of Christ and in the Armenian language it is termed “Hisnag” (or Yisnak), derived from the word for “fifty”. Hisnag refers to the fifty-day period of preparation in celebration of the Nativity and Theophany of Jesus Christ. What type of preparation does this involve? During Advent, we... Read More »
One of the feasts dedicated to the Holy Virgin is the presentation of three year old Mary (Holy Mother of God) to the temple. All Christian Churches celebrate this feast on November 21. According to the Holy Tradition of the Church, when Mary turns three the parents of the Holy Virgin, Joachim and Anna,... Read More »
St Nicholas was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’ words... Read More »
Gregory Thaumaturgus (Miracle Worker) or Gregory of Neocaesarea was a Christian bishop of the 3rd century. Gregory was born around AD 213 to a wealthy pagan family in Neocaesarea. Originally he was known as Theodore ("gift of God"). He was introduced to the Christian religion at the age of fourteen, after the death of his father. He... Read More »
