March

Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-31

The Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast is one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church. The main origin of the feast is the following.

The king of Egypt didn’t agree to allow the Hebrews to travel into the desert to offer sacrifices to Lord the God, and the last punishment of God on the king of Egypt that should force the king to let the Hebrews out of the country was the death of every first-born son and every first-born of all cattle in Egypt. In order to save the Hebrews from that punishment the Lord spoke to Moses and by means of Moses ordered the Hebrews to kill a lamb and taking some of the blood and put it on the doorposts and above the doors of the houses. On the night when He would go through the land of Egypt to kill every first-born male, both human and animal, He would see the blood on the doors and would not let the Angel of Death enter the house. He would pass over and wouldn’t harm the Hebrews when punishing the Egyptians. Finally, after that punishment, the king allowed the Hebrews to leave the country, and the Hebrews left Egypt. So, mankind obtained life thanks to the Blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, in order to reach the Christians’ blessed land - the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Mystery of Easter is the mystery of Jesus Christ, His Salutary Holy Blood shed for mankind and His Rising from the dead for mankind. The Son of God should incarnate, be subjected to tortures, be crucified, buried and the third day raise from death (Ps 15:9-11, 29:4, 40:11-13, 117:16-17, Ho 6:2-3).

Following the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ His body was taken off the cross and placed into the tomb and the entrance to the tomb was closed by a large stone and the soldiers were ordered to control the entrance to the tomb. After three days the three women, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the Mother of James and Joseph, and the wife of Zebedee brought spices and perfumes to anoint the body of Jesus. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, so they went in but they didn’t the body of the Lord. They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two angels dressed in white appeared and said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here, ha has been raised” (Lk 24:5-6). The women returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven disciples and the rest. According to Peter more than 500 people saw Christ who had risen from the dead. So, this is the evangelical tiding of the fact of Easter or Holy Resurrection.

Resurrection of Christ became the basis of the Christian doctrine and faith. “If that is true, it means that Christ has been raised from death, then we have nothing to preach and you have nothing to believe” (1 Co 15:13-14).

Christ rose from the dead, by means of His Death He destroyed Death and granted eternal life. “I am the Resurrection and I am the Life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn 11:25).

Christ died for the salvation of mankind and by His Blood took away the sin in the world, so that we should inherit eternal life.

On the day of the Easter feast people dye eggs red as a symbol of fruitful life, salvation and joy. St. Gregory of Datev considers the egg to be the symbol of the world, the shell of which is the sky, the membrane is the air, the white is the water and the yolk is the earth. Dyeing eggs red symbolizes the salvation of the world by means of Blood of Christ.

The Armenian Church celebrates the Easter Feast on the first Sunday following the full moon of the vernal equinox, with 35 days moveability, during the period from March 21 –April 26.

The Armenian Church traditionally celebrates evening Divine Liturgy on the evening prior to Jesus Christ’s Glorious Resurrection (Easter). Following the conclusion of the Liturgy, the assembled faithful take lit candles home, symbolizing the Light that Christ brought into the world. The Divine Liturgy celebrated on the eve is the start of the festive ceremonies.

On Sunday, the day of the feast, a morning service is conducted the Andastan Service is performed wherein the four corners of the world are blessed, afterwards the Divine Liturgy is celebrated. That day the faithful welcome each other on the occasion of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ conveying the great tiding:  “Christ is Risen from the dead” and receive the answer: “Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.”

Fifty-day period beginning from the Easter Feast – the Holy Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ - and lasting till Pentecost in the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church is called Hinounk or Hinants period. That period is dedicated to the mystery of Resurrection of the Lord, and that is why it is Dominical period.

The name “Hinounk” comes from the word hisuonk (fifty). The first forty days of the period are dedicated to the appearings of Rosen Christ: “For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. They saw him, and he talked with them about the Kingdom of God” (Ac 1:3).

The last ten days of the Hinants period are dedicated to the Ascension of Christ.

Hianats period is concluded with the Feast of Ascension. According to the Church laws there are no fasting days during all fifty days of Hinants period, which means that all people can eat everything during that period.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2019-04-21 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2020-04-12 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2021-04-04 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2022-04-17 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2023-04-09 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2024-03-31 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2025-04-20 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2026-04-05 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2027-03-28 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2028-04-16 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2029-04-01 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

2030-04-21 Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-30

On Holy Saturday, Christ’s destruction of hell and His liberation of righteous souls are commemorated. According to Church tradition, the new day begins following the Evening Service. An evening Divine Liturgy is celebrated, at the end of which the good tiding of the glorious resurrection of the Savior is proclaimed: “Christ is Risen from the dead; Blessed be the Resurrection of Christ!”  The period of the Great Lent is thus concluded. 

The feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast starts on the eve and is continued after the midnight. On the eve a solemn Candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated and a solemn Divine Liturgy is celebrated. Following the conclusion of the Liturgy, the assembled faithful welcome each other on the occasion of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ conveying the great tiding:  “Christ is Risen from the dead” and receive the answer: “Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ” and take lit candles home, symbolizing the Light that Christ brought into the world. The Divine Liturgy celebrated on the eve is the end of the Great lent and the start of the festive ceremonies.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2019-04-20 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

2020-04-11 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

2021-04-03 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

2022-04-16 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

2023-04-08 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

2024-03-30 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

2025-07-19 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

2026-04-04 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

2027-03-27 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

2028-04-15 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

2029-03-31 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

2030-04-20 Holy Saturday, Eve of Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast, Candlelight Divine Liturgy

Good Friday

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-29

Good Friday,is the day of commemoration of Christ’s tortures, Crucifixion, Death and Burial. The Service of the Crucifixion is conducted, following which, the Service of His Burial is held. It is during the Burial service that the symbolic Tomb of Christ, decorated with flowers and candles, is processed around the Church for the faithful to witness and participate.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2030-04-19 Good Friday

2029-03-30 Good Friday

2028-04-14 Good Friday

2027-03-26 Good Friday

2026-04-03 Good Friday

2025-04-18 Good Friday

2024-03-29 Good Friday

2023-04-07 Good Friday

2022-04-15 Good Friday

2021-04-02 Good Friday

2020-04-10 Good Friday

2019-04-19 Good Friday

Holy Thursday

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-28

Holy Thursday is dedicated to the Last Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ and symbolizes the establishment of the Sacrament of Communion. In the morning, Divine Liturgy is celebrated in our churches. Following the Evening Service, the Service of the Washing of the Feet is conducted. Christ, displaying true humility and humbleness, washed the feet of his disciples after the last Supper (Jn 13:1-16). Following His example, priests in the Armenian Church humble themselves and kneel down on the bema, in front of the Church altar, and wash the feet of 12 children or servants of the church, anointing their feet with blessed oil.

In the evening of the Holy Thursday, a solemn service is held, which is the introduction to Good Friday. It symbolizes the Crucifixion, Death and Burial of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Gospel readings during the service recall the prayer of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, His betrayal, arrest, and the denial of Peter.
 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2030-04-18 Holy Thursday

2029-03-29 Holy Thursday

2028-04-13 Holy Thursday

2027-03-25 Holy Thursday

2026-04-02 Holy Thursday

2025-04-17 Holy Thursday

2024-03-28 Holy Thursday

2023-04-06 Holy Thursday

2022-04-14 Holy Thursday

2021-04-01 Holy Thursday

2020-04-09 Holy Thursday

2019-04-18 Holy Thursday

Holy Wednesday

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-27

Holy Wednesday  anointing of Jesus Christ by a woman in Bethany and the Betrayal of Christ are commemorated.

In the Gospel of St. Matthew, we learn that while Jesus was dining with his Apostles, a woman came in with an alabaster jar filled with valuable perfume. She opened the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head. The disciples witnessing this act become upset, as the perfume could have been sold and the proceeds could have been given to the poor. Jesus hearing their displeasure said, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for me. For you always have the poor with you; but me you do not always have me.”  The woman’s actions foreshadowed His preparation for burial. “For in that she has poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial,” said Christ (Mt 26:6-13).

The Gospel reading on Holy Wednesday exhorts us not to abuse the love and promise of God, and by remembering His tortures and death for the sake of mankind, to never deviate from the correct path which is to worship and give glory to Him alone.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates


2030-04-17 Holy Wednesday

2029-03-28 Holy Wednesday

2028-04-12 Holy Wednesday

2027-03-24 Holy Wednesday

2026-04-01 Holy Wednesday

2025-04-16 Holy Wednesday

2024-03-27 Holy Wednesday

2023-04-05 Holy Wednesday

2022-04-13 Holy Wednesday

2021-03-31 Holy Wednesday

2020-04-08 Holy Wednesday

2019-04-17 Holy Wednesday

Holy Tuesday

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-26

“The Parable of the Ten Virgins” is commemorated (Mt 25:1-13). This parable from the Gospel, tells the story about the five foolish and the five wise virgins.  The message exhorts us to be vigilant and prepared for the Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

On Holy Tuesday, during the Evening Service, ten young women approach the Holy Altar of the Church. Five of the girls have burning candles or oil lamps in their hands, symbolizing the wise maidens, and the other five have extinguished candles or unlit lamps in their hands, symbolizing the foolish maidens.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2030-04-16 Holy Tuesday

2029-03-27 Holy Tuesday

2028-04-11 Holy Tuesday

2027-03-23 Holy Tuesday

2026-03-31 Holy Tuesday

2025-04-15 Holy Tuesday

2024-03-26 Holy Tuesday

2023-04-04 Holy Tuesday

2022-04-12 Holy Tuesday

2021-03-30 Holy Tuesday

2020-04-07 Holy Tuesday

2019-04-16 Holy Tuesday

Holy Monday

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-25

The Gospel readings tell us about the story of the “cursed fig tree.” On his way back to Jerusalem Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree by the side of the road and went to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. So He said to the tree, “You will never again bear fruit!” At once the fig tree dried up. The disciples saw this and were astounded. “How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?” they asked. Jesus answered, “If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Mt 21:22). According to the historian Stepannos of Syounie, living in the 7th century, the fig tree “is the circumcised people to whom hungry Jesus came and found no fruit on it, but only seeming life, so as the result of His coming the tree dried up.”


This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2030-04-15 Holy Monday

2029-03-26 Holy Monday

2028-04-10 Holy Monday

2027-03-22 Holy Monday

2026-03-30 Holy Monday

2025-04-14 Holy Monday

2024-03-25 Holy Monday

2023-04-03 Holy Monday

2022-04-11 Holy Monday

2021-03-29 Holy Monday

2020-04-06 Holy Monday

2019-04-15 Holy Monday

Palm Sunday

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-24

One week before the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of Palm Sunday, celebrating the Triumphant Entry of Christ into Jerusalem.

Jesus comes into Jerusalem riding atop a donkey and the people gather to meet Him with reverence, thus fulfilling the words of the prophet from the Old Testament.
The Gospel of St. Matthew, in relating the story, refers to the prophecy, “All this was done, that it might be fulfilled, that which was spoken by the prophet, saying “Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you! He is humble and sitting on an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass.” (Mt 21:4-5).

On His arrival, a large crowd of people gathers to greet Him, and spread their cloaks on the road before Him, while others cut branches from palm trees and place them on the path. The crowd exclaims: “Hosanna!  Blessed is the King of Israel that comes in the Name of the Lord” (Jn 12:13).

On Palm Sunday, churches are decorated with branches from willow trees and palm trees.  Following a solemn morning service, the blessed branches are distributed to the faithful. This passage from the Gospels reminds each of us about the Coming of Christ, and teaches us to live in a manner that can make us worthy to stand before the Lord and exclaim: “Hosanna (Praise God)! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2019-04-14 Palm Sunday

2020-04-05 Palm Sunday

2021-03-28 Palm Sunday

2022-04-10 Palm Sunday

2023-04-02 Palm Sunday

2024-03-24 Palm Sunday

2025-04-13 Palm Sunday

2026-03-29 Palm Sunday

2027-03-21 Palm Sunday

2028-04-09 Palm Sunday

2029-03-25 Palm Sunday

2030-04-14 Palm Sunday

Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-23

On the 41st day of the period of Great Lent, the Armenian Church commemorates Lazarus being raised from the dead. 

The Gospel according to St. John (Jn 11:11-46) relates the story. Lazarus was from a family loved by Jesus Christ. He was the brother of Mary and Martha, who often received Jesus. Lazarus dies after succumbing to an illness. Upon hearing that His friend has died, Christ goes to visit the family, and says to Martha, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies…” Christ asks Martha if she believes this, to which she replies, “Yes, Lord.  I do believe that you are the Messiah, who was to come into the world.” Christ, standing before the grave, commands Lazarus to come forth, and he appears, being restored to life. By doing so, Christ proves that He is, in fact “Life and Resurrection”.

The Gospel story telling about the raising of Lazarus contains the passage: “Jesus wept.” The Jews, seeing Jesus expressing grief, said: “See how much he loved him!”
The raising of Lazarus is an example of the coming resurrection of all those who have fallen asleep in Christ. The weeping of Jesus demonstrates His great love towards mankind.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2019-04-13 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

2020-04-04 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

2021-03-27 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

2022-04-09 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

2023-04-01 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

2024-03-23 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

2025-04-12 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

2026-03-28 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

2027-03-20 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

2028-04-08 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

2029-03-24 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

2030-04-13 Commemoration of Raising of Lazarus

Sunday of Advent

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-17

The Sixth Sunday of Great Lent is called the Sunday of Advent. This Sunday teaches us about the first Advent of Christ – His Incarnation: His Holy Birth when God became Man. This proved the Truth found in the Scriptures that by the coming of the Savior, a second chance was given to mankind to be guided on the path leading towards salvation.

This Sunday also symbolizes the Second Advent. In the Gospels and Apostolic Letters there are many references dedicated to the Second Advent, where our Lord warns us about His return. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Christ says, “…Watch out and do not let anyone fool you. Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, “I am the Messiah!” and they will fool many people. You are going to hear the noise of battles close by and the news of battles far away… Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another. There will be famines and earthquakes everywhere… And you will be hated by all nations for my Name’s sake… Many false prophets will appear and fool many people. Such will be the spread of evil that many people’s love will grow cold. But whoever holds out to the end will be saved” (Mt 24:4-13).

The message of this Sunday is a call for endurance, piety and modesty. Through these we can patiently wait for the Glorious Resurrection of Christ, the purification of our souls and the triumph of the True Faith. All Christian Churches celebrate the feast of the Sunday of Advent.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2030-04-07 Sunday of Advent

2029-03-18 Sunday of Advent

2028-04-02 Sunday of Advent

2027-03-14 Sunday of Advent

2026-03-22 Sunday of Advent

2025-04-06 Sunday of Advent

2024-03-17 Sunday of Advent

2023-03-26 Sunday of Advent

2022-04-03 Sunday of Advent

2021-03-21 Sunday of Advent

2020-03-29 Sunday of Advent

Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-16

This feast is the first one among the three commemoration days dedicated to the memory of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos of All Armenians. According to the Armenian Church Calendar, it is celebrated on the eve of the Fifth Sunday during the period of Great Lent. The feast is dedicated to the torments which St. Gregory suffered during his imprisonment.

According to historical sources, St. Gregory the Illuminator was the son of Anak Partev, a knight and nobleman, who killed the Armenian King Khosrov Arshakouni. In retaliation, Anak is executed by the Armenians. His son, Gregory, lived and studied in Caesarea, and was brought up as a pious Christian. Gregory returns to Armenia as an adult and becomes a member of the royal court. King Tiridates (Trdat), the son of King Khosrov and heir to the throne, appoints Gregory as the Chancellor of the Armenian Kingdom. Tiridates, learning that Gregory is a Christian and the son of Anak, subjects him to severe tortures and commits Gregory to death, by imprisoning him in a deep underground pit.

In 301 A.D., after spending 13 years in the pit, St. Gregory the Illuminator is freed from the dungeon and emerges to spread the Light of Christ in Armenia. He thus becomes the first pontiff of the Armenian Church, baptizes the royal family, and evangelizes the whole of the Armenian Nation. Armenia becomes the first nation in the world to officially proclaim Christianity as her state religion.

St. Gregory the Illuminator is recognized by all of Christendom as a Saint, and he is commemorated in all traditional Christian Churches.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2030-04-06 Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

2029-03-17 Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

2028-04-01 Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

2027-03-13 Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

2026-03-21 Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

2025-04-05 Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

2024-03-16 Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

2023-03-25 Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

2022-04-02 Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

2021-03-20 Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

2020-03-28 Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit

Sunday of the Judge

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-10

The fifth Sunday of Great Lent is called the Sunday of the Judge. The message of the day teaches us with the parable of the widow and the Judge. This parable comes to us in the Gospel of St. Luke (Luke 18:1-8). The parable tells the story of a widow who repeatedly came to a judge, who neither feared God nor respected man, and pled for her rights. For a long period of time the judge refused to act, but in the end, he fulfilled her request, to put an end to her continuous appeals. Otherwise, he feared that she would continue to return indefinitely.

After telling this parable, the Lord assures everyone, that if a man as corrupt and unfair as this judge decided in favor of the widow, then God surely would judge in favor of his own people and grant the requests of all those who submit to Him through prayer. This parable exhorts us to always and continually pray, as prayer symbolizes the soul’s eternal striving and thirst for God.  The parable also contains an appeal from Christ. After telling the parable, Christ says: “But will the Son of Man find faith on earth when He comes?” In His words, Jesus gives a reference to the Second Coming, and sadness and anguish are felt in the Lord’s remark. It is truly painful for the Savior that many people may be subject to just, yet cruel judgment, instead of becoming the inheritors of the Kingdom of God.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2020-03-22 Sunday of the Judge

2021-03-14 Sunday of the Judge

2022-03-27 Sunday of the Judge

2023-03-19 Sunday of the Judge

2024-03-10 Sunday of the Judge

2025-03-30 Sunday of the Judge

2026-03-15 Sunday of the Judge

2027-03-07 Sunday of the Judge

2028-03-26 Sunday of the Judge

2029-03-11 Sunday of the Judge

2030-03-31 Sunday of the Judge

Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-09

The Forty Holy Martyrs martyred in approximately 320 AD were Christians from various towns and cities of Lesser Armenia. They served as soldiers in the royal regiment of Sebastia.  Upon the decree of Roman Emperor Likianos, interrogations were organized by Lucias, Duke of Caesarea, to reveal the Christian soldiers. Forty of the soldiers remain steadfast in their faith, defy the judges by their brave answers, and are imprisoned. One cold winter night the soldiers are thrown into a lake near Sebastia, to freeze them to death. Only one of the forty soldiers, being unable to endure the torments, comes out of the water, and tries to find salvation in a bathhouse built on the bank. The lone soldier dies and becomes deprived of both earthly and heavenly life.

At dawn, halos are seen encircling the heads of the soldiers. One of the guards charged with the execution of the forty, witnessing the holy phenomenon accepts Christ and throws himself into the lake to be martyred along with the others. In the morning it becomes apparent that through a divine miracle, the forty soldiers have been saved from freezing. This infuriates their captors who execute them and thus, they become martyrs. The martyrs’ remains are buried in Sebastia, where subsequently a Forty-domed Cathedral is built. The Cathedral of Sebastia stood for nearly one thousand years until the invasion of Tamerlane and the Mongols at the end of the 14th Century. The name of the “Forty Martyrs Cathedral” has survived to this day.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2008-03-01 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2009-03-21 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2010-03-13 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2011-04-02 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2012-03-17 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2013-03-09 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2014-03-29 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2015-03-14 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2016-03-05 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2017-03-25 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2018-03-10 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2019-03-30 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2020-03-21 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2021-03-13 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2022-03-26 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2023-03-18 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2024-03-09 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2025-03-29 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2026-03-14 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2027-03-06 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2028-03-25 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2029-03-10 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

2030-03-30 Commemoration of the forty Holy Martyrs

Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-06

According to Archbishop Malachia Ormanian, the 24th day or the fourth Wednesday of the period of Great Lent, is called Mijink symbolizing that the first half of the period of Great Lent has already passed. Since that day church hymns written by Stegh are sung during the Peace Service held in the evenings on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

According to the folk tradition the housewives bake unleavened cake and put a coin in it while baking. The current year will be successful for the member of the family who will have the coin in his/her portion.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2008-02-27 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2009-03-18 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2010-03-10 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2011-03-30 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2012-03-14 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2013-03-06 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2014-03-26 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2015-03-11 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2016-03-02 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2017-03-22 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2018-03-07 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2019-03-27 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2020-03-18 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2021-03-10 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2022-03-23 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2023-03-15 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2024-03-06 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2025-03-26 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2026-03-11 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2027-03-03 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2028-03-22 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2029-03-07 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

2030-03-27 Median day of Great Lent (Mijink)

Sunday of Steward

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-03

The fourth Sunday of the period of Great Lent is called the Sunday of the Steward, and the message of the day teaches us with the parable of the unjust steward. This parable is mentioned only in the Gospel of St. Luke (Luke 16:1-13). In the parable, a wealthy man learns that the steward of his house (the supervisor of his holdings) is squandering his possessions.  The rich man calls the steward, asking for an accounting, having decided to release him from employment. The steward, realizing that he may soon be without work, begins to act accordingly so that in the near future, others may accept him into their homes. The steward calls those men who have debts to his employer, and he relieves them of a portion of their debts. Following this act, the wealthy man praises the steward for his contrivance.

At first glance, it seems as though there is a great contradiction in this commendation.  But the unjust steward grants back to the debtors, only that which he had added to the debt originally for his own gain. Thus, the wealthy man is not injured by the actions of his steward. The master praises the steward for resigning himself from the gains that the steward would have realized in these transactions. Thus, high praise is given to resignation, or abstinence, which is one of the foundations of Great Lent.

Lent teaches mankind about the ability we each have to resign ourselves from all forms of temptation, the beginning of which is self-control and self-denial. Christ says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). This parable admonishes every one of us that the journey towards salvation must include self-control and resignation. The allegorical meaning of the parable is in the wealthy man symbolizing God, and the unjust steward symbolizing the sinner. For an extended period of time, the sinner carelessly wastes the graces granted by God, until God calls him for an accounting of his life. The unjust steward symbolizes all who, upon regretting their actions, forgive those who have sinned against them, and become seekers of righteousness and the just.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2020-03-15 Sunday of Steward

2021-03-07 Sunday of Steward

2022-03-20 Sunday of Steward

2023-03-12 Sunday of Steward

2024-03-03 Sunday of Steward

2025-03-23 Sunday of Steward

2026-03-08 Sunday of Steward

2027-02-28 Sunday of Steward

2028-03-19 Sunday of Steward

2029-03-04 Sunday of Steward

2030-03-24 Sunday of Steward

Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

This year is celebrated in:: 2024-03-02

St. John (Hovhannes) of Otzoon, who has also been recognized as “the Philosopher”, is one of the greatest fathers of the Armenian Church.  According to hagiographers, he possessed both spiritual and mental brilliance.  During the 11 years of his reign (717-728), Catholicos Hovhannes managed to withstand Byzantine and Arab pressures and incursions, while struggling mightily against sects.  Hovhannes of Otzoon endowed to us a rich and priceless literary legacy.  His work entitled “Canons of the Armenians” is the first voluminous collection in Armenian history, which contains ecclesiastical canons and laws. He is also famous as the author of numerous sermons and church hymns. Among the most important initiatives undertaken by Catholicos Hovhannes of Otzoon, is the church council convened in Dvin in 725, with the aim of reforming the Armenian Church.  He also convened the meeting in Manazkert in 726, dedicated to the goal of strengthening the union of the Armenian and Assyrian Churches.

The tomb of Catholicos Hovhannes is in the Church of Srbanes (St. Hovhannes) in the village of Ardvi, near his birthplace of Otzoon.  The church has remained a sanctuary for the faithful of the Armenian Nation.

The names of Vartabeds (church divine or archimandrite) St John (Hovhan) of Vorotan (1315-1388) and St. Gregory of Datev (1346-1410) are closely interrelated. Gregory of Datev, the greatest Vartabed and theologian of the Armenian Church, studied under Hovhan of Vorotan, and later raised the famous school founded by his teacher in the Monastery of Datev. Gregory of Datev authored numerous significant theological works.  Included in his literary legacy are the “Book of Questions” and the collections of his sermons.  He is closely associated with Hovhan of Vorotan, because as a result of the notes and records made by Gregory, a portion of the literary legacy of Hovhan has survived to this day. 

Finally, the blessed memory of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem is commemorated on the same day, along with the aforementioned three fathers of the Armenian Church.  St. John was Patriarch of Jerusalem in the 4th Century.  He is remembered to this day as being a great orator and a defender of Christianity through his sermons.

 

This feast has been and will be on the following dates

2020-03-14 Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

2021-03-06 Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

2022-03-19 Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

2023-03-11 Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

2024-03-02 Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

2025-03-22 Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

2026-03-07 Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

2027-02-27 Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

2028-03-18 Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

2029-03-03 Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

2030-03-23 Commemoration of St. John the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarch St. John of Otzoon, St. John of Vorotan and St. Gregory of Datev

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