Tiarn’ndaraj bonfire lit at churches of Armenian Diocese in Georgia

On February 13, 2025, the eve of the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Tiarn'ndaraj) was celebrated. This feast commemorates the Presentation of the 40-day-old Christ Child to the Temple by the Virgin Mary. By the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, this day was proclaimed a day of blessing for newly married couples.

At the Cathedral of Saint George and the Holy Etchmiadzin Church in Ablabari, Tbilisi, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Rev. Father Virap Ghazaryan and Rev. Father Samvel Torosyan properly preached about the mystery of the day after the evening service.

Lighting bonfires has been preserved as part of the folk tradition of the feast. With candles lit from the Holy Table candle, the Tiarn'ndaraj bonfire blazed in the courtyards of the two churches, amplifying the joyful mood of those present.

Armenian song and music filled the courtyard of the Cathedral of Saint George, where a master class on national dances was organized under the leadership of Suren Abramyan, head of the Cultural Department of the Diocese and choreographer at the “Hayartun” Center. Members of the “Taron” dance ensemble, students from the “Hayartun” Center, and students from various Armenian public organizations in Georgia joined the traditional Armenian round dance under the guidance of the choreographer. People's round dance continued in two districts of the capital, Meydan and Avlabari, and the traditional jumping over bonfires began.

A reception was organized with the support of Arkady Hovakimyan and Karen Darbinyan, the godfathers of the crosses at the Cathedral of Saint George and Holy Etchmiadzin church in Avlabari. The celebration concluded with magnificent colorful fireworks.

The eve of the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ was celebrated in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Batumi, and other churches of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia.