January

Commemoration of Sts. Sukiasianas

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-30

Relatives of the queen Satenik, being the followers of Sts. Voskian priests, later were called Sukiasians, as their leader’s name was Sukias. Not managing to persuade and to return their former servants the Armenian princes took revenge on their preachers – Sts. Voskians and killed them by swords.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2022-02-15 Commemoration of Sts. Sukiasianas

2023-02-07 Commemoration of Sts. Sukiasianas

2024-01-30 Commemoration of Sts. Sukiasianas

2025-02-18 Commemoration of Sts. Sukiasianas

2026-02-03 Commemoration of Sts. Sukiasianas

2027-01-26 Commemoration of Sts. Sukiasianas

2028-02-15 Commemoration of Sts. Sukiasianas

2029-01-30 Commemoration of Sts. Sukiasianas

2030-02-19 Commemoration of Sts. Sukiasianas

Commemoration of Sts. Atomians

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-29

Sts. Atomians were the Armenian captains Atom Gnouni and Manajihr Reshtouni who together with their regiments served in the Persian royal court during the period of reign of the idolater king Hazkert. Upon the excitation of archimagi king Hazkert started persecutions against Christians in order to eradicate Christian faith in Persia. Captains Atom Gnouni and Manajihr Reshtouni received an edict from Hazkert inviting the captains together with their regiments to the royal palace with the intention of forcing them to apostasy. At first the Armenian captains obeyed the order, but being aware of the trap prepared by the king they started back home and on their way home they stopped in the province of Andzevatsyats. Becoming aware of the numerous Persian Army persecuting them soldiers of the captain Atom Gnouni, encouraged  by the prophesy of a saint hermit living on the mountain preferred voluntary martyrdom. Persian Army reaching the Armenian regiment surrounded them and killed the saints by words. Whereas Manajihr Reshtouni and his soldiers reached his native land – Reshtounik, where he confessed his being Christian and was martyred in 449 AD.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

 

2030-02-18 Commemoration of Sts. Atomians

2029-01-29 Commemoration of Sts. Atomians

2028-02-15 Commemoration of Sts. Atomians

2027-01-25 Commemoration of Sts. Atomians

2026-02-02 Commemoration of Sts. Atomians

2025-02-17 Commemoration of Sts. Atomians

2024-01-29 Commemoration of Sts. Atomians

2023-02-06 Commemoration of Sts. Atomians

2022-02-15 Commemoration of Sts. Atomians

2021-02-01 Commemoration of Sts. Atomians

Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions St. Sarkis the Captain

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-27
By the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain and his soldiers-companions is proclaimed day of blessing of the youth.

Captain St. Sarkis is one of the most beloved saints among the Armenian nation. Together with his 14 soldiers-companions he was martyred for the sake of Christian faith.

During the period of reign of the king Kostandianos the Great (285-337) St. Sarkis, being very courageous, was appointed the prince and General in chief of the region of Cappadocia bordering Armenia. When during the period of reign of the king Julianos the Betrayer (360-363) the persecutions against Christians started by God’s will St. Sarkis and his only son – Martyros, came to live in Armenia, and the Armenian king Tiran, grandson of Tiridates, received them very well. From Armenia St. Sarkis and his son went to Persia, and started serving in the army of the Persian king Shapouh as the captain of regiments. Become aware of the fact that Sarkis was Christian the king Shapouh ordered him to worship the fire and offer sacrifice to the heathen gods. But the captain immediately refused to obey the order saying, “We should worship one God - the Holy Trinity, which has created the earth and the heaven. Whereas fire or idols are not gods and the human being may destroy them.” After these words the saint destroyed the temple. The annoyed crowd fell on the saint and his son. First the son of the saint was martyred. The saint was put into prison and remaining unshaken in his faith was beheaded. After the martyrdom of the saint light appeared over his body. 14 soldiers-companions of the saint also were martyred for the sake of Christian faith.

For the Armenian nation St. Sarkis is one of the most beloved. It isn’t casual that St. Mesrop Mashtots brought the relics of the saint to the village Karbi (Ashtarak Region) and the Church of St. Sarkis was built over his relics.

Sts. Atomians were the Armenian captains Atom Gnouni and Manajihr Reshtouni who together with their regiments served in the Persian royal court during the period of reign of the idolater king Hazkert. Upon the excitation of archimagi king Hazkert started persecutions against Christians in order to eradicate Christian faith in Persia. Captains Atom Gnouni and Manajihr Reshtouni received an edict from Hazkert inviting the captains together with their regiments to the royal palace with the intention of forcing them to apostasy. At first the Armenian captains obeyed the order, but being aware of the trap prepared by the king they started back home and on their way home they stopped in the province of Andzevatsyats. Becoming aware of the numerous Persian Army persecuting them soldiers of the captain Atom Gnouni, encouraged  by the prophesy of a saint hermit living on the mountain preferred voluntary martyrdom. Persian Army reaching the Armenian regiment surrounded them and killed the saints by words. Whereas Manajihr Reshtouni and his soldiers reached his native land – Reshtounik, where he confessed his being Christian and was martyred in 449 AD.

St. Sarkis, Patron of Youth and love

In Armenia it is accepted to celebrate the Feast of St. Sarkis not only according to church rites and prayer, but also according to various folk traditions. St. Sarkis the Captain is the patron of youth. Many miracles happen thanks to his intercession. On the day of the feast young people pray the saint asking him to make their prayers audible to God. St. Sarkis is the realizer of the love longings.

There are many legends about St. Sarkis and one of them is the following.

Poor bard Gharib loved Shah-Sanam who was the daughter of a very rich man. Shah-Sanam loved him, too, but because the bard was poor, the Shah-Sanam’s father was against their marriage as he wished to marry his daughter to a rich man. Bard Gharib decided to go to foreign countries to earn money and to accumulate wealth. But before leaving for foreign countries bard Gharib asked Shah-Sanam to promise to wait for him for seven years providing that if he were late even for one day the young woman might marry according to her father’s will.

That seven-year-period was a very difficult period for bard Gharib. He couldn’t see his beloved, had no news of her, and nevertheless, he wasn’t disappointed and waited for the time when they would meet, make up family and live together all their life.

Working day and night for seven years bard Gharib accumulated wealth and started his way back to the motherland. However, on his way back he faced many difficulties and hardships. It seemed to him that he wouldn’t be able to reach his beloved. So, he prayed with honest heart and righteous mind for the help of St. Sarkis asking.

Listening the prayer of the bard St. Sarkis immediately appeared sitting on his white horse, seated him on the back of the horse and in one moment brought him to Shah-Sanam. Seeing the bard’s strong will, their sincere and deep love and devotion, Shah-Sanam’s father blessed their union.

Fast of Catechumens established by St. Gregory the Illuminator precedes the feast. On the eve of the feast, in the evening, young people eat salty cookies and relate the appearance of their future bride or bridegroom in their dream to eating of the salty cookie. Also, on the night preceding the feast of St. Sarkis the faithful people place a tray full of gruel before the door believing that while passing near their door at dawn St. Sarkis will leave his footprint on the gruel symbolizing the fulfillment of their dreams.

People in love present each other cards, flowers or sweets on the occasion of the feast.
On the day of the feast a Divine Liturgy is celebrated in all churches named after St. Sarkis. Following the Liturgy a special ceremony of blessing of young people will be offered.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2021-01-30 Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions

2022-02-12 Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions

2023-02-04 Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions

2024-01-27 Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions

2025-02-15 Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions

2026-01-31 Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions

2027-01-23 Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions

2028-02-12 Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions

2029-01-27 Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions

2030-02-16 Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions

Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-26
Prophet Jonah is one of the minor prophets of the Holy Bible. In the Book of Jonah of the Old Testament is a narrative describing the adventures of the Prophet Jonah. By the Lord’s command Jonah was sent to Nineveh to preach the heathens and tried, in every way, to disobey God’s command. However, in the end his attempts were in vain. By the Lord’s command, a large fish swallowed Jonah, and he remained inside the fish for three days and three nights. Only after Jonah’s prayer and redemption did the Lord allow the fish to free Jonah. This time he obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh. On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, even the king, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

Later Christ brings the example of the Prophet Jonah to the Pharisees asking for a divine sign.

The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the memory of the Prophet Jonah always during the period of the fast of Catechumens symbolizing that thanks to sincere repentance one may deserve God’s mercy.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

 

2030-02-15 Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah

2029-01-26 Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah

2028-02-11 Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah

2027-01-22 Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah

2026-01-30 Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah

2025-02-13 Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah

2024-01-26 Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah

2023-02-03 Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah

2022-02-11 Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah

2021-01-29 Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah

Eve of the Fast of Catechumens

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-21
The Fast of Catechumens is peculiar only to the Armenian Church. It begins three weeks before the 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 Divine Liturgy either.

The 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 five days before baptism. St. Gregory the Illuminator ordered King Tiridates and others to fast for five days before baptism in order to get freed of the evil. That is the reason also for fasting of Catechumens to be called “fast of salvation” from the evil.

According to the tradition, the fasting of Catechumens was initiated by St. Gregory the illuminator in memory of the above-mentioned practice.

There are two explanations regarding the name of this feast.
It is called the fast of Catechumens:
1. As the precursor of the Great Lent, and
2. As the first Armenian fast.

On the fifth day of the fasting of Catechumens, on Friday, the remembrance day of the Prophet Jonah is celebrated, but it is celebrated not as the feast of Prophet Jonah, but as the memory of an example of great repentance and abstinence which Jonah urged. At times, wrongly, the fasting of Catechumens was called the fast of St. Sarkis, because the Armenian Church celebrates the feast of St. Sarkis on Saturday following the fast. In Middle Ages the Byzantine and the Georgian Churches blamed the Armenian Church for the fasting of Catechumens, relating it to St. Sarkis, to whom they ascribed sorcery. According to the testimonies of Armenian medieval writers. Greek and Latin Churches also had the fasting of Catechumens in ancient times.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates


2030-02-10 Eve of the Fast of Catechumens

2029-01-21 Eve of the Fast of Catechumens

2028-02-06 Eve of the Fast of Catechumens

2027-01-17 Eve of the Fast of Catechumens

2026-01-25 Eve of the Fast of Catechumens

2025-02-09 Eve of the Fast of Catechumens

2024-01-21 Eve of the Fast of Catechumens

2023-01-29 Eve of the Fast of Catechumens

2022-02-06 Eve of the Fast of Catechumens

2021-01-24 Eve of the Fast of Catechumens

Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-06

Each 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 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 the midnight. On the eve a solemn Candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated and on January 6 a solemn Divine Liturgy is celebrated. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy Blessing of the Waters Service is conducted symbolizing the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan at the commencement of His ministry. By means of His Baptism Jesus blessed water.

Celebrant priest pours out the Holy Chrism drop by drop into water and blesses the water. According to the tradition people take some blessed water with them to use it as a medicinal remedy for the sick. After 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 and hence the tradition of Blessing of the Houses was formed.

The Birth of Jesus happened in this way. “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) The 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)

Soon afterwards some men who studied the stars came from the East and worshipped Baby Christ, presented him gifts and returned to their countries.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2020-01-06 Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2021-01-06 Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2022-01-06 Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2023-01-06 Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2024-01-06 Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2025-01-06 Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2026-01-06 Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2027-01-06 Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2028-01-06 Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2029-01-06 Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

2030-01-06 Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-05

As according to the Church the day is changed at 17:00 p.m., after the evening service, the feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ starts on the eve, in the evening of January 5, and is continued after the midnight, on January 6. On the eve a solemn Candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated. Following the conclusion of the Liturgy, the assembled faithful take lit candles and lamps home symbolizing the divine light and the blessing of the Church. Lighting lamps symbolizes the light of the Bethlehem Star which guided the way of the magi to the baby Christ.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2020-01-05 Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

2021-01-05 Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

2022-01-05 Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

2023-01-05 Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

2024-01-05 Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

2025-01-05 Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

2026-01-05 Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

2027-01-05 Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

2028-01-05 Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

2029-01-05 Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

2030-01-05 Eve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy

New Year

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-01

Presently all Christian churches celebrate the New Year on January 1. The word “January” means “birth”. Before Christ’s coming to the world mankind was the captive of hell and constrained by eternal death. Being born in January Christ destroyed the hell, saved the mankind from eternal death and leads to the Kingdom of Heaven. That’s why January became the months’ beginning.  January 1 is the first day of the first month of the year of birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.  On January 1 a Divine Liturgy is celebrated in all churches.
According to the folk tradition on January 1 people decorate the New Year tree symbolizing the Tree of Life of Eden. 

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2030-01-01 New Year

2029-01-01 New Year

2028-01-01 New Year

2027-01-01 New Year

2026-01-01 New Year

2025-01-01 New Year

2024-01-01 New Year

2023-01-01 New Year

2022-01-01 New Year

2021-01-01 New Year

2020-01-01 New Year

Commemoration of the King St. Theodos and Children of Ephesus

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-20

King and distinguished Captain Theodos, who is called also Theodos the Great, is known to the Christian world as the greatest advocate and supporter of Orthodoxy.

In 379 being appointed the king of the East, pious Theodos allowed all the orthodox Bishops exiled upon the order of the previous king to return to their countries. According to the book “Life of the Saints” among them was the Armenian Pontiff St. Nerses. Another important step directed to the strengthening of the orthodox faith became the Ecumenical Council of Constantinople convened upon the order of the King Theodos in 381.

The modest behavior of the pious Christian is exemplary. When as punishment for the massacre of the people organized in Thessalonica the Bishop of Milan prohibited Theodos to enter the church, the king obeyed and entered the church only after repenting for 8 months.

On the day of commemoration of the King Theodos the Armenian Church commemorates also the memory of the 7 children of Ephesus. 7 noble young men from Ephesus were secretly baptized and became Christians. For adopting Christianity they were persecuted by the king Dekos and hid themselves in the cave of the nearby mountain (Voghkos). By God’s will they fell sleep in the cave for 140 years and woke up only in 389, during the period of reign of the king Theodos. When people became aware of that divine miracle, the king and the residents of Ephesus met the persecuted Christians with great respect and honor. Returning to their cave the 7 young men passed away. They were buried in the same cave, upon which later a magnificent church was built.

When is celebrated

22.07.2008
20.01.2009
19.01.2010
20.01.2011
19.01.2012
19.01.2013
20.01.2014
20.01.2015
26.07.2016
19.01.2017
20.10.2018
19.01.2019
20.01.2020
19.01.2021
20.01.2022
19.01.2023
20.01.2024
20.01.2025
20.01.2026
26.07.2027
20.01.2028
20.10.2029
19.01.2030

Commemoration of St. Anton the Hermit

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-18

Some time after the spreading of Christianity the hermits’ movement started. Hermits were those persons who devoted themselves to God, went to uninhabited places and deserts and spent their life there praying and fasting. Thus, by God’s will they overcame the human faults and attained spiritual perfection. After many years of ascetic life the hermits were granted the grace of working wonders and healing the sick by means of prayers.

St. Anton 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 Anton inherited their wealth. Once in the church he listened 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, Anton sold all of his property and lived in the spirit of praying, fasting and doing charity. After some time he left his native village and began to live in a cave, where according the hagiographers he struggled against the demons and devils who constantly appeared to him in the appearance of wild beasts. Patiently facing all temptations the saint left for a desert and lived there completely isolated for 20 years. Becoming aware of his ascetic and secluded life, many people left their houses and went the desert to live ascetic life. Upon the request of his spiritual brothers St. Anton came out of his cave and explained the assembled people monastic cannons and rules, which later became the guideline for monastic life. The saint passed away at the age of 105.

When is celebrated

21.07.2008
19.01.2009
18.01.2010
18.01.2011
17.01.2012
17.01.2013
18.01.2014
19.01.2015
25.07.2016
17.01.2017
18.01.2018
17.01.2019
18.01.2020
18.01.2021
18.01.2022
17.01.2023
18.01.2024
18.01.2025
19.01.2026
24.07.2027
18.01.2028
18.01.2029
17.01.2030

 

Commemoration of the Patriarch St. Peter, Bishop St. Vlas and Deacon Abisolom

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-16

Patriarch St. Peter of Alexandria and Deacon Abisolom are important saints of the Universal Church. At the beginning of the 4th century being the Patriarch of Alexandria, St. Peter thanks to the strength of his faith and with the support of the Deacon Abisolom led and protected his flock during the period of reign of the kings Dioclethianus, Galerius and Maximianus, who persecuted the Christians. Because of the intensification of persecutions and upon the insistence of the local community the Patriarch left for Palestine and Mesopotamia. However, becoming aware of Christians’ martyrdoms, he immediately returned to Alexandria and soon he was imprisoned. By the wish of the saint, and also fearing of the people’s indignation, the soldiers don’t behead him publicly. The Patriarch Peter and the Deacon Abisolom were martyred in 311.

Bishop Vlas of Sebastia always gave the lead to the Christians and encouraged the martyrs. During the period of persecutions of the king Likianos Bishop Vlas advised his flock to leave Sebastia, and went to live in the monasteries on the Mountain Areos, where he lived an ascetic and prayerful life. However, authorities became aware of the place of the saint and brought him to the court, where filled with the Lord’s Spirit, Bishop Vlas reproached the heathens. For his behavior he was subjected to torments, then he was thrown into the lake of Sebastia and afterwards was beheaded in 316.

The life, behavior and martyrdom of the Patriarch St. Peter, Bishop St. Vlas and Deacon Abisolom have been a model for the entire Christian world, at the price of whose blood the Christian Church was founded.

When is celebrated

19.07.2008
17.01.2009
16.01.2010
17.01.2011
16.01.2012
15.01.2013
16.01.2014
17.01.2015
16.01.2016
16.01.2017
16.01.2018
15.01.2019
16.01.2020
16.01.2021
17.01.2022
16.01.2023
16.01.2024
16.01.2025
17.01.2026
16.01.2027
17.01.2028
16.01.2029
15.01.2030

Feast of the Birth of St. John the Forerunner (Baptist)

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-15

The birth of St. John the Baptist is described in details in the Gospel according to Like (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. And because he hadn’t believed the angel he became unable to speak and remained silent until the birth of John.

St. John the Baptist, who should baptize the Savior, had been aware and rejoiced for 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).

Continuation 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).

When is celebrated

19.01.2008
15.01.2009
14.01.2010
15.01.2011
14.01.2012
14.01.2013
14.01.2014
15.01.2015
14.01.2016
14.01.2017
15.01.2018
14.01.2019
14.01.2020
14.01.2021
15.01.2022
14.01.2023
15.01.2024
14.01.2025
15.01.2026
14.01.2027
15.01.2028
15.01.2029
14.01.2030

Feast of Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-01-13

Each 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 “Savior”. According to 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).

Parallel to the name “Jesus” the name “Christ” is given to the Savior, which is a Greek word meaning “Consecrated” and corresponding to the Hebrew word “Messiah”.
On 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.

When is celebrated

13.01.2008
13.01.2009
13.01.2010
13.01.2011
13.01.2012
13.01.2013
13.01.2014
13.01.2015
13.01.2016
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