Church Calendar

  • The Commemoration of the Desert Fathers (Egyptian Hermits)

    The Desert Fathers were early Christian hermits, ascetics and monks who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt beginning around the third century AD.  The most well known was Anthony the Great, who moved to the desert in AD 270–271 and became known as both the father and founder of desert monasticism. Sometime around AD 270, Anthony... Read More »

  • Commemoration of Pontiff St Nicholas

      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 »

  • Eve of the Fast of St James

      Today commemorates the eve (paregentan) of the Fast of St. James (Hagop) of Nisibis. 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... Read More »

  • Conception of Saint Mary by Anna

      St. Mary is known in the Armenian Church as Asdvadzamayr-Asdvadzadzin, the “Mother of God” and the “Bearer of God” a position doctrinally established at the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in the 5th century. Her life of holiness and purity, and her graceful acceptance of the role to which God called her, as the mother... Read More »