AVC Multimedia e-Book Series eBook#2: Exploring Yerevan A Look Inside the City | Page 53

Armenian Festivals and Holidays

Yerevan Basics :

January 1: In Armenia, the New Year is celebrated after December 31, on January 1, with a table laden with food and various types of sweets. People exchange gifts with congratulations for the New Year, and their homes are open to welcome everyone.

January 6: While Christmas is celebrated on December 25 by western Christians, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christ’s Nativity or Surp Dznound (Holy Birth) on January 6. In Armenian tradition, this feast day commemorates not only the birth of Christ, but also His baptism by John the Baptist.

The latter is remembered through a ceremony known as Jrorhnek, (blessing of water, which follows the Divine Liturgy. On January 5, a church service called jrakalooyts (lighting of lamps) is celebrated in honor of the appearance of Jesus as the Son of God (Theophany). Upon returning home from church, families enjoy a traditional khutoum (eve) meal of fish, rice, and a vegetable dish of greens. Armenians do not exchange gifts on this day, but instead do so on New Year’s Day (January 1).

January/February: St. Sargis is a holiday of love for Armenians. It is celebrated on a Saturday from January 18 to February 23, 63 days before Easter. On the night of the holiday, young people eat salty cookies (aghi blit) for a restless night. They believe that St. Sargis decides their fate and the person who gives them water to drink in their dreams will become their future spouse.