FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION
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The Feast of Transfiguration (Aylakerputiun / Vartavar) is marked fourteen weeks after Easter, and therefore can fall between June 28 and August 1. It commemorates an episode in the New Testament recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Peter.
The Transfiguration took place on the “holy mountain” (believed to be Mt. Tabor) where Jesus had gone with Peter, James, and John to pray. As He was praying, “His face shone like the sun and His garments became white as light.” The Patriarch Moses and Prophet Elijah appeared at His side |
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(Mt. 17:1-8). It was at this moment that His appearance was “transfigured” revealing Himself as God to His disciples as a voice
from above said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
Listen to him.”
As in
other instances, a pagan feast was joined with the new Christian
holiday. In this case, the feast of Vartavar, when Armenians would
decorate the temple of the Goddess of Asdghig with roses, doves would
be released, and people would engage in water games, was combined with
the Feast of the Transfiguration. Asdghig was the goddess of love,
beauty, fertility, and water.
According
to tradition, the fifth century historian Yeghishe, wrote the prayer
that is read in the church on this feast day: “O Lord, bless the harvest
of this year and defend from all the perils, and may Your Right Hand, O
Lord, protect us for the whole year.”
Vartavar
was a traditional day of pilgrimage to churches named in honor of John
the Baptist. The most popular destination was the Monastery of Sourp
Garabed of Moush, whose main church was named in honor of St. John the
Baptist.
Vartavar is the
name day for those named Vartkes, Vartavar, Vart, Alvart, Zevart,
Lousvart, Nevart, Baidzar, Vartanoush, Vartiter, Varvar.
In the Armenian tradition, the day after each of the five major feast
days is designated as Memorial Day or Remembrance of the Dead. The
faithful visit the cemeteries to venerate their departed loved ones. |
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REMEMBRANCE OF THE RAISING OF LAZARUS
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The Armenian Church commemorates the raising of Lazarus as told in the Gospel of John, Chapter 11.
The brother of Mary and Martha, Lazarus and his sisters were good
friends of Jesus. Their home in Bethany (near Jerusalem) was Jesus’
home whenever he was in Jerusalem. Lazarus’s sudden death threw his
sisters into deep mourning. Jesus also wept for his friend. John’s
gospel account emphasizes the fact that Lazarus was indeed dead by
pointing out that his body was in the tomb. Jesus’ raising of Lazarus
convinced many people of his unique powers, |
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and according to John, the
authorities took steps to silence him.
Lazarus personifies the whole of humankind and Bethany represents
the whole world. Lazarus Saturday is the real beginning of the Cross.
Its major themes are the forthcoming victory of Christ over death, the
supreme sacrifice of love, and the Resurrection as the ultimate triumph
of love. |
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SAINTS THADDEUS AND BARTHOLOMEW
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Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew, two of the twelve apostles , were the first evangelizers of Armenia, and were martyred there, giving the Armenian Church its apostolic identity and earning them the title, “First Enlighteners of Armenia.” Thaddeus came to Armenia about 43 AD to preach Christianity. He was martyred in southeastern Armenia. His tomb lies in the Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus (Iran) where a chapel was built in the third century. Batholomew is believed to have arrived in Armenia about 66 AD. He was martyred in Hadamakert, southeast of Lake Van. |
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THE HOLY EVANGELISTS
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The Holy Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the authors of the four Gospels. Matthew
is the patron of the Church's mission. The Gospel attributed to him closes with the command by Jesus to His disciples and followers, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20). Mark
had significant influence on the advancement of Christianity. Although the Gospel according to Mark is a narrative of the life of Jesus, theologians consider it to be a handbook of discipleship. The dominant message is that being a Christian is not only believing in Jesus Christ, it is also living according to the example set by Jesus. According to tradition, Mark was the first bishop of Alexandria . One of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world is named after him in Venice , where his relics are kept. Luke
is the author of the third Gospel and the Book of Acts. He is considered to be the patron of physicians and artists. The Gospel according to Luke is greatly concerned with Jesus as “the healer of a broken world.” Luke is also noted for his concern for the poor, the marginalized, women, and social outcasts. His Gospel does not end with the Resurrection, but rather continues to Pentecost and the eternal presence of Christ in the world. According to tradition he was one of the Seventy and was the unnamed disciple of Emmaus. John, often called the “Beloved Disciple,” is the author of the fourth Gospel and the book of Revelation. He was the one of the twelve disciples who remained with Christ, standing in front of the cross. Jesus entrusted his mother to John’s care on the day of the Crucifixion. The best known verse in his gospel is, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16). According to tradition John left Jerusalem after attending the first council and went to Asia Minor and settled in Ephesus . He was exiled to the island of Patmos where he wrote the Book of Revelation. |
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ST. NERSES THE GREAT
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St. Nerses the Great is remembered for his many benevolent accomplishments. Perhaps one of his greatest was the Council of Ashdishad (364) where canons were drawn up concerning the sanctity of family life, improvement of social conditions, establishment of various social institutions such as hospitals and inns for pilgrims, and the establishment of monasteries and convents. St. Nerses truly fulfilled the words of our Lord as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” In the 1990s, the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian did not hesitate a moment in his decision to name the Prelacy’s charitable agency in Armenia “Saint Nerses the Great Charitable Organization,” in honor of the saint whose deeds to improve
the condition of the common people earned him the honorific, “Great,” by
a grateful nation. |
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PALM SUNDAY AND HOLY WEEK |
Palm Sunday ushers in the most solemn period of Christendom—Holy Week—leading us to Christianity’s most sacred and joyous period—Easter and the celebration of the Resurrection. The week before Easter marks a series of events in the life of Jesus that were ordained or prophesied. These events include the resurrection of Lazarus and the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, which we commemorate on Palm Sunday (Tzaghkazard). Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, as described centuries before by the prophet Zechariah. A large enthusiastic crowd greeted him with olive and palm branches, and with the words, “Hosanna! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13). On Palm Sunday the altar curtain, which was closed at the beginning of Lent, is opened. The palms are blessed and distributed to the faithful. The traditional procession of young children, dressed in their finest clothes, carrying decorated candles, is an impressive sight as the long procession of happy children parade around the church. On the evening of Palm Sunday the faithful gather at the door for the Opening of the Doors ceremony (Drnbatsek), symbolizing the opening of the gates to the Kingdom of God. The priest kneels before the doors and says, “Open to us Lord, the door of mercy.” In most communities in the Diaspora, especially in the United States, this service takes place immediately after the Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday, rather than in the evening vespers service. Each day of Holy Week (Avak Shabat) is a holy day. Monday commemorates the barren fig tree (Matthew 21:18-20). Tuesday commemorates the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:13). Wednesday commemorates the Anointment and Betrayal of Christ. Thursday is Maundy Thursday, which originates from the command of Christ that his disciples love one another (John 13:34). In the evening the Washing of the Feet ceremony (Votunlva) takes place in remembrance of the events of the Last Supper. In late evening the betrayal and torment of Christ, Tenebrae (Khavaroom), is commemorated. Twelve small candles and one large candle are placed before the closed altar. Seven chapters are read from the Gospel, describing Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal by Judas, and denial by Peter, interspersed with the readings and hymns composed by Nerses Shnorhali are sung. After each reading a candle from each side is extinguished in the darkened sanctuary.
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Holy Friday (Avak Oorpat)
commemorates the death and burial of Jesus and is the most solemn and
sacred day in the Christian calendar. In the Armenian Church tradition,
during evening Vespers a tomb is prepared and decorated with flowers
and candles. The faithful bring flowers and decorate the tomb
throughout the service. |
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THE FEAST OF THE ASCENSION - HAMBARDZOUM |
| The Feast of the Ascension (Hambardzoum) of our Lord Jesus Christ, comes forty days after the Resurrection. The universal church has celebrated the Ascension since the fourth century. According to Biblical scripture the Ascension took place in the village of Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, in the presence of our Lord’s disciples. After giving them commandments and blessings, the Lord was “received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God,” (Mark 16:19), and “a cloud received him out of their sight,” (Acts 1:9). In the early centuries of Christianity, Hambardzoum was one of the most popular feast days for the
faithful and was celebrated with merriment and |
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| festivities. There are
many Armenian traditions associated with this dominical feast. Perhaps
the best known one being fortune-telling (vijakakhakh). |
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ARCHANGELS MICHAEL AND GABRIEL
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Archangel is a title given to an angel of high rank in the celestial hierarchy. Michael, which means “who is like God,” is the prince of all angels and the leader of the celestial armies. He is considered to be the protector of Christians against the devil. Gabriel, which means “strength of God,” is one of God’s chief messengers. He was God’s messenger to Daniel to explain his vision (Dan. 8:16-26) and prophecy (Dan. 9:21-27). He also foretold the birth of John the Baptist and was chosen to announce the forthcoming birth of Christ (Luke 1:11-21). |
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KING TIRIDATES, QUEEN ASHKHEN,PRINCESS KHOSROVITOUKHT |
After torturing and condemning St. Gregory to the pit (khor virab) and because of his fatal treatment of the Hripsimayan nuns, King Tiridates became inflicted with strange maladies. His wife, Ashkhen, and his sister, Khosrovitoukht (who had already secretly become Christian), convinced the king that only Gregory could cure him. Thus, Gregory was released from the pit. With the king’s subsequent recovery, all three helped to spread Christianity throughout the land. When Gregory returned from Caesarea where he was ordained a bishop, the king and his family and entire court and army met him en route and they were all baptized in the Euphrates River. In their later years, the queen and the princess lived in the fortress of Garni, and the king retired to St. Gregory’s final place of retreat, Mt. Sebouh. |
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SAINTS HRIPSIMEH AND COMPANIONS
SAINTS GAYANEH AND COMPANIONS
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Thirty-three nuns, led by Gayaneh, left Rome and sought refuge in Armenia hoping to escape the Roman Emperor who desired one of the nuns, beautiful Hripsimeh. In Armenia, King Tiridat was equally captivated by Hripsimeh’s beauty, and sought to wed her. She refused. Enraged, the king had Hripsimeh (and the others) tortured to death. St. Gregory had chapels built over the relics of the nuns, and later Catholicos Sahag Barthev rebuilt the chapels. During the 7th century Catholicos Gomidas had two beautiful cathedrals built. The Cathedral of St. Hripsimeh is considered to be a masterpiece of architecture. Catholicos Gomidas also wrote a sharagan (hymn) in their memory—the famous “Antsink Nviryalk.” |
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