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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230102
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211009T063959Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220108T043710Z
UID:19308-1672531200-1672617599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:  \n \n  \nThe New Year (Gaghant\, Amanor or Navasart) has generally been a feast of joy and happiness for the Armenian people. It is customary to exchange gifts with family members and close friends and to bring delight to children with gifts. It is also customary to set the family table to the extent of their means with fruits and good things to eat\, thereby making the abundance and joy spread throughout the year. \nPresently all Christian churches celebrate the New Year on January 1. The word “January” or “Hunvar” means “birth”. Being born in January\, Christ saved mankind from eternal death and led to the Kingdom of Heaven. That’s why January became the year’s beginning. January 1 is the first day of the first month of the year of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. On January 1 a Divine Liturgy is celebrated as well as the Thanksgiving Prayer to welcome in the New Year with the Blessing of Pomegranates. At the end of the service\, each family takes home a blessed pomegranate. \nIn Christianity the pomegranate symbolises the diversity of God’s grace\, the Church.  Just as the seeds of the pomegranate are separated by thin membranes yet held tightly together\, in the same way the Christian Church holds all Christians around the world together in Christ’s love; though they are separate\, they are not divided. Thus the pomegranate shows unity in diversity. \nThe pomegranate’s crown represents Jesus’ crown and His sovereignty over the entire world. The red colour symbolises His salvific Blood that was shed for all. The popular belief is that each one contains 365 seeds corresponding to the number of days in a year\, symbolising new life in Christ and the New Year.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/new-years-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230105
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230106
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211012T041857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220108T064501Z
UID:19559-1672876800-1672963199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Jrakalouyts (Jrakalooyts): Christmas Eve Candlemas
DESCRIPTION:  \nEve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ\, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy\nAccording to the Armenian Church\, the day changes at 5:00 pm and thus the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ starts on the eve\, on the evening of January 5 and continues after midnight on January 6. \nOn the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ\, the special Jrakalouyts service takes place. \nDuring the solemn Vesper Vigil\, the young choristers or deacons begin to read or chant the Old Testament readings from Genesis\, Exodus and the Prophets prior to the proclamation of the Lord’s birth and manifestation during the Divine Liturgy. \nThe final solemn reading is the prophecy of Daniel. By candlelight\, one person reads the narrative of the prophecy and three others chant the song of the three holy children— Shadrach (Setrak)\, Meshach (Misak) and Abednego (Apetnakov). \n“Blessed are You\, Lord\, God of our fathers. Praised and glorified is Your name forever\, For You are fair in everything that You have done to us\, and all of Your deeds are true.” \nIn the Armenian Church we read this story on the eve of Christmas and Easter as an anticipation of Christ’s resurrection from the dead and the presence of the living Son of God in our midst assuring us of God’s healing and life restoring presence for all eternity. Just as the faithful boys are not burned by the heat of the furnace\, those who know and trust Christ will be saved from the flames of hell. \nAfter this\, the altar curtain\, which had been drawn in front of the altar\, is opened and the Divine Liturgy begins. \nThe Divine Liturgy (the lighting of the lamps service) is celebrated in honour of the manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God (“manifestation of God” is the literal meaning of the word “theophany”). \nIt is custom for the faithful to hold lit candles or lanterns during this service. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy\, the assembled faithful take the lit candles and lanterns home which symbolises the radiance of the spiritual light in our lives and hearts that the Saviour of the world and the Prince of Peace has given us through His humanity and His Divine direction. \nAll of our Christmas hymns exuberantly celebrate Jesus as the Light. He is the holy Light that God has shined on Earth. He is the radiant Saviour born to Mary the Mother of God. He is the heavenly lamp that illuminates the path of our lives\, allowing us to recognise our blessed purpose in life; and giving us the privilege of seeing God and knowing God. \n“I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness\, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/jrakalooyts-christmas-eve-candlemas-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230106
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230107
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211010T064638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220108T064633Z
UID:19377-1672963200-1673049599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Feast of the Holy Nativity & Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ (Dznoont/Christmas)
DESCRIPTION:  \nEach year\, on January 6\, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ\, which is the commemoration of the Birth and Baptism of Jesus Christ. God was incarnated and appeared to the people. During the Baptism of Jesus\, God the Father said\, “This is my Son\, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17) and the Holy Spirit descended on Christ in the form of a dove\, so God appeared to the people for the second time. So\, both Theophanies revealed by means of the Birth and Baptism of Jesus Christ are celebrated in the Armenian Church jointly on January 6. The feast starts on the eve\, in the evening of January 5\, and is continued after midnight. On the eve\, a solemn Candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated and on January 6 a solemn Divine Liturgy is celebrated. \nAt the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy\, the mystery of our Lord’s Baptism in the River Jordan\, at the commencement of His ministry\, is remembered in the ceremony of the Churorhnek\, or the “Blessing of Water.” \nThe Celebrant priest pours three drops of Holy Muron into water\, signifying the Holy Trinity. The Holy Muron is poured into the water from a dove shaped container\, symbolising the appearance at the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and the voice of the Father proclaiming to all that Jesus is His Son. \nThe cross\, which has been submerged in the water\, is then taken out. Traditionally a layperson is selected for this special privilege of holding the Cross. He is known as the “Godfather of the Cross” as he holds the Cross upright after it is taken out of the blessed water and welcomes the faithful to kiss the Cross as they receive the blessed water. \nAccording to tradition\, people take some blessed water with them to use it as a medicinal remedy for the sick. After the Blessing of the Waters Service the priests visit the houses of the faithful to proclaim the Christmastide Good News of the Birth of Jesus Christ. \n\n\n\nThe Gospel describes the birth of Jesus as follows: “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. … And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea\, to Bethlehem the town of David\, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary\, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there\, the time came for the baby to be born\, and she gave birth to her firstborn\, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger\, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Lk 2:1-7) \nThe Son of God was born in poverty\, in a manger. The witnesses of His Birth were the shepherds living out in the fields nearby\, whom the angels had appeared and brought the good news of the Birth of the Savior singing: “Glory to God in the highest\, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Lk 2:18) \nSoon afterwards some men who studied the stars came from the East and worshipped Baby Christ\, presented him with gifts and returned to their countries. \nDuring Holy Mass the faithful greet each other\, conveying the great tiding: “Kristos Dznav yev Haydnetsav”  (Christ is Born and Revealed) and receive the reply “Tsezi Mezi Medz Avedis” (To you and us the Good News).
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/feast-of-the-holy-nativity-theophany-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-dznoont-christmas-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Major Feasts (Daghavarner)
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230107
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230108
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211015T062351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211020T072914Z
UID:19608-1673049600-1673135999@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Remembrance of the Dead (Hishadag Merelots)
DESCRIPTION:  \nMerelots is the Remembrance Day of the Dead that is observed in the Armenian Apostolic Church. This remembrance day  is observed five times as far as it follows five major religious holidays. \nThe first Merelots is on January 7 right after Christmas and Epihany that is on January 6. The next Remembrance Days of the Dead follow Easter\, Feast of the Transfiguration\, Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary and the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. \nThis commemoration is not only aimed to remember the dead relatives and friends. It is reminds people to congratulate their alive relatives and friends\, be merciful and kind to others.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/remembrance-of-the-dead-hishadag-merelots-2/
CATEGORIES:Church Event
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230113
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230114
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211015T062954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211020T075756Z
UID:19615-1673568000-1673654399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Feast of the Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ
DESCRIPTION:  \nEach year\, on January 13\, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. As Evangelist St. Luke writes in his Gospel\, according to the  Jewish tradition “On the eighth day\, when it was time to circumcise him\, he was named Jesus\, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.” (Lk 2:21). “Jesus” is a Hebrew word meaning “Saviour”.  As written in the Gospel according to Luke\, when the angel Gabriel came to Mary to give her the good tidings of the birth of the Son of the Most High\, he said that Mary would name the baby “Jesus”. “You will be with child and give birth to a son\, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (Lk 1:31). \nParallel to the name “Jesus” the name “Christ” is given to the Saviour\, which is a Greek word meaning “Consecrated” and corresponding to the Hebrew word “Messiah”. \nOn the Feast of Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ\, a Divine Liturgy is celebrated in all Armenian Churches. On the eve of the feast\, following the evening service a special service is conducted.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/feast-of-the-naming-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230114
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230115
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211015T063537Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211026T095129Z
UID:19622-1673654400-1673740799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Feast of the Birth of St John the Forerunner (Baptist)
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe birth of St John the Baptist is described in detail in the Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:5-25). One day Zechariah\, father of St John the Baptist\, was doing his work as a priest in the Temple and was burning incense on the altar. An angel of the Lord appeared to him and said that God had heard his prayer and his wife would bear him a son. Zechariah had to name him John. Zechariah didn’t believe the angel as he was and old man\, and his wife was old too. As he hadn’t believed the angel\, he became unable to speak and remained silent until the birth of John. \nSt John the Baptist\, who would baptise the Saviour\, had been aware of and rejoiced at the knowledge of the birth of Jesus\, even before his birth. According to the Evangelist\, when St Mary\, Holy Mother of God\, visited Elizabeth\, mother of St John the Baptist\, the latter\, being filled with the Holy Spirit cried out\, “Why should this great thing happen to me\, that my Lord’s mother comes to visit me? For as soon as I heard your greeting\, the baby within me jumped with gladness” (Lk 1:43-44). \nContinuation of the words of Elizabeth are the message of this feast addressed to all Christians throughout the world\, “How happy you are to believe that the Lord’s message to you will come true!” (Lk 1:45).
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/feast-of-the-birth-of-st-john-the-forerunner-baptist-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230117
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230118
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211101T053423Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211101T053446Z
UID:21249-1673913600-1673999999@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of St Anton (Anthony) the Hermit
DESCRIPTION:  \nSt Anthony the Hermit is the founder of ascetic and monastic life. He was born in the village Koma\, Egypt\, in 251\, in a noble family. After his parents’ death Anthony inherited their wealth. Whilst in church\, he listened to the evangelical commandment\, in which Jesus says: “If you want to be perfect\, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor\, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.” (Mt 19:21). Being led by this commandment\, Anthony sold all of his property and lived in the spirit of praying\, fasting and doing charity \nAnthony lived in a time of transition for Christianity\, the Diocletianic Persecution in AD 303 was the last great formal persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Only ten years later\, Christianity was made legal in Egypt by Diocletian’s successor Constantine I. Those who left for the desert formed an alternate Christian society\, at a time when it was no longer a risk to be a Christian. The solitude\, austerity\, and sacrifice of the desert was seen by Anthony as an alternative to martyrdom\, which was formerly seen by many Christians as the highest form of sacrifice. Anthony quickly gained followers eager to live their lives in accordance with this solidarity and separation from material goods. From these prohibitions\, it is recorded by Athanasius that Anthony received special privileges from God\, such as the ability to heal the sick\, inspire others to have faith in healing through God\, and even converse with God on occasion. Around this time\, desert monasticism appeared nearly simultaneously in several areas\, including Egypt and Syria. \nOver time\, the model of Anthony and other hermits attracted many followers\, who lived alone in the desert or in small groups. They chose a life of extreme asceticism\, renouncing all the pleasures of the senses\, rich food\, baths\, rest and anything that made them comfortable. They instead focused their energies on praying\, singing psalms\, fasting\, giving alms to the needy\, and preserving love and harmony with one another while keeping their thoughts and desires for God alone. Thousands joined them in the desert\, mostly men but also a handful of women. Religious seekers also began going to the desert seeking advice and counsel from the early Desert Fathers. By the time of Anthony’s death\, there were so many men and women living in the desert that it was described as “a city”.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-st-anton-anthony-the-hermit-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230119
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230120
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211022T053821Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211023T003044Z
UID:20172-1674086400-1674172799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the King St Theodosius and Children of Ephesus
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Armenian Church commemorates Theodosius I\, the Roman Emperor (379 to 395) who put an end to the last of paganism and the Arian heresy in the empire (The doctrine denying the true divinity of Christ\, named after the Alexandrian priest Arius c. 250–c. 336). He was recognised as a “just and mighty Christian emperor” and was called “the Great.” During his reign\, he devoted considerable time and energy to the establishment of the universal and orthodox faith and deemed that the unlawful meetings of the heretics were not to be called churches. \nHe is also remembered for his pious behaviour. Ambrose\, the Bishop of Milan\, effectively excommunicated the Emperor\, pending a public statement of repentance\, as punishment for the massacre he had ordered in Thessalonica. Many scholars believe that the massacre was a result of the soldiers’ misinterpreting the Emperor’s orders. King Theodosius repented for eight months until he was able to walk into the church\, thus taking part in the holy liturgy. \nThe legend of the Seven Children of Ephesus dates back to the 3rd century A.D\, during the rule of Emperor Decius\, who persecuted Christians. Seven youths\, all children of notable men\, secretly got baptised and were named Maximian\, Marcian\, Jamblichus\, Dionysius\, Constantine\, Antonius and John. When they were exposed as Christians\, they fled Ephesus in 250AD and hid in a cave outside the city walls and fell asleep for a century and a half. An earthquake opened the cave and awakened them in 389AD during the reign of Theodosius. When people became aware of that divine miracle\, the king and the residents of Ephesus met the persecuted Christians with great respect and honour. The seven young men returned to the cave\, where they passed away and were entombed\, with the site becoming a shrine.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-king-st-theodosius-and-children-of-ephesus-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230121
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230122
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211023T003949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211023T051342Z
UID:20267-1674259200-1674345599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of Patriarchs St Athanasius and St Cyril of Alexandria
DESCRIPTION:  \nPatriarchs St Athanasius and St Cyril are among the most prominent figures of the Universal Church\, who devoted their lives to the promulgation of the orthodoxy of Christianity\, and the struggle against false conceptions and erroneous teachings. \nSt. Athanasius (295-373 A.D.) was born in Alexandria\, to a Greek Christian family.  He received his higher education in the famous Theological School of Alexandria.  He was ordained to the diaconate by Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria and participated in the Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325\, as the Patriarch’s personal secretary. During the council he decisively defeated Arius and his followers who denied the Divine nature of Christ and purported that He was a created being.  In his argument\, St Athanasius stated the reality of Christ being God and explained the salvation in combining the human nature of Jesus with God\, which is possible only through His incarnation. According to the formulation of St Athanasius\, salvation is nothing else but theosis (Divination)– being adopted by God. Athanasius stated that God became incarnate “so that sons of mortal men should become sons of God.” \nIn 328\, St  Athanasius became Bishop of Alexandria. He continued to struggle against Arianism and forcefully defended the Nicene Orthodox teaching. Having been subjected to repeated persecutions\, he spent 15 of his 47 year episcopal service in exile. His heroic efforts bore fruit\, and eight years following his death his teachings were adopted by the Ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 381. St Athanasius made very significant contributions to the development of monastic life as well. \nPatriarch St Cyril of Alexandria is one of the brilliant representatives of the Alexandrian Theological School. He was born in 380 AD\, and was the nephew of Patriarch Theophilus\, whom he succeeded in 412. He struggled against Nestorius\, the Patriarch of Constantinople\, for the preservation of orthodox teaching. It was for this purpose that Emperor Theodoros II convened the Third Ecumenical Council in Ephesus in 431. During the Council\, Nestorius and his teachings were criticised and condemned\, and the formulation of “Theotokos” (Birthgiver to God) was adopted by the Church as it related to St. Mary. The famous formulation of St. Cyril: “The one incarnate nature of God the Word” has become the cornerstone of the Armenian Church regarding the nature of Christ.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-patriarchs-st-athanasius-and-st-cyril-of-alexandria-3/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230128
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230129
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211015T064103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T102816Z
UID:19629-1674864000-1674950399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of St Gregory the Theologian
DESCRIPTION:  \nSt. 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 Christianity\, who by means of the struggle against Arians\, kept Christianity uncorrupted and by means of his works he has greatly influenced the formulation of the Christian theologian ideology. \nSt. Gregory the Theologian was born in 328 AD in the village Ariangue near the town of Naziangue\, of Cappadocia. He was the son of the Bishop Gregory. Gregory studied in Caesaria\, and then in Athens. In Athens Gregory became acquainted with St Barsegh of Ceasaria\, one of the future prominent figures of Christianity. After leading an ascetic life for a while\, Gregory returned to Naziangue\, where he was ordained as a priest by his father. Later he became the Bishop of Sasima. Together with St Barsegh of Ceasaria\, St Gregory the Theologian struggled against the Arians. He was known for his contributions to theological debates\, particularly regarding the Trinity\, and his literary and poetic works.  \nHe participated in the 2nd Ecumenical Council of Constantinople and was a key figure in the Nicene Creed. St. Gregory passed away on 25 January 389 AD.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-st-gregory-the-theologian-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230130
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211015T064524Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211015T064616Z
UID:19635-1674950400-1675036799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Blessing of the Grapes - Khaghoghorhnek
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe blessing of grapes takes place immediately after the Divine Liturgy. The ceremony is rich in symbolism and emphasises the important role the Virgin Mary assumed in the revelation of God. \nIn the Northern Hemisphere\, the blessing takes place on the day of the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. However\, in Australia\, the Blessing of Grapes is celebrated in January\, at the end of the summer and beginning of harvest.  It is traditional to use seedless grapes to emphasise that this fruit came into being without seed just as Christ became man without any human agent. \nThe custom of blessing grapes\, the first fruits of the harvest\, can be traced back to Old Testament times\, when farming was a common vocation that so much care and time was given to it.  Of the vast variety of produce\, grapes had a special place of honor and were considered the “first fruits”\, because they were the first produce of harvest. \nAmong the Israelites\, as among many neighboring cultures\, grapes were regarded as belonging in a special way to God since they were the first fruits.  It was He who gave the gift of the whole harvest and to offer Him the first fruits was to acknowledge complete dependence on Him.  Special services of thanksgiving were conducted by priests in the temple\, a tradition that prevailed to the time of Christ.  With the birth of Jesus\, these dedications took on a new meaning.  Jesus Christ was the first born\, or first fruit\, of Mary and\, as such\, was offered to God in the temple. (Luke 2:25-30) \nCelebrated is the person of St. Mary\, who gave birth to Jesus Christ\, the first fruit.  Christ gave His blood to us for eternal life and in remembrance we bless the grapes\, the fruits of the earth. \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/blessing-of-the-grapes-khaghoghorhnek-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230130
DTSTAMP:20260514T031617
CREATED:20211015T065319Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211020T063005Z
UID:19641-1674950400-1675036799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Eve of the Fast of Catechumens
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe 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. \nThe meaning of the Fast of Catechumens is the purification of the five human senses from pagan impurity. In the ancient Church there was a custom to fast during the five days before baptism. St. Gregory the Illuminator ordered King Tiridates and others to fast for five days before baptism\, in order to be free of evil. That is the reason also for the fasting of Catechumens to be called “fast of salvation” from the evil. \nAccording to the tradition\, the fasting of Catechumens was initiated by St. Gregory the illuminator in memory of the above mentioned practice. \nThere are two explanations regarding the name of this feast.\nIt is called the fast of Catechumens:\n1. As the precursor of the Great Lent\n2. As the first Armenian fast. \nOn the Friday which is the the fifth day of the Fasting of Catechumens\, the remembrance day of the Prophet Jonah is celebrated. 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. \nWrongly at times\, the fasting of Catechumens was called the fast of St. Sarkis as the Armenian Church celebrates the feast of St. Sarkis on the Saturday following the fast. As a result\, during the Middle Ages\, the Byzantine and the Georgian Churches ascribed this to sorcery. \nAccording to the testimonies of Armenian medieval writers\,  Greek and Latin Churches also had the fasting of Catechumens in ancient times. \nCatechumens: a person who is receiving instruction in preparation for Christian baptism or confirmation
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/eve-of-the-fast-of-catechumens-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Eve-of-the-Fast-3.jpg
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