Feast Days
ANNUNCIATION OF THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY
|
The Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (Avedoumn Sourp Asdvadzadzini) comes nine months before Christmas on the seventh of April in the Armenian Liturgical calendar. It is the celebration of the announcement of the forthcoming birth of Christ to the Virgin Mary as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. This feast day generally falls during the Lenten season, and traditionally the altar curtain is opened on this day for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. One of the Gospel readings on this day (Luke 1:26-38) demonstrates Mary’s faithful response and willingness to say yes to God and fulfill all prophecies by bearing the Son of God. Mary is greeted with an exalted salutation by the angel Gabriel because in her destiny to be the mother of Christ, she is the most blessed woman of all time. This episode is recorded only in Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus. |
 |
|
|
FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION
|
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 |
 |
(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. |
|
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.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
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. |
|
REMEMBRANCE OF THE RAISING OF LAZARUS
|
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, |
 |
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. |
|
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 |
 |
| festivities. There are
many Armenian traditions associated with this dominical feast. Perhaps
the best known one being fortune-telling (vijakakhakh). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
