The Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the Advent of the Lord on February 14. It marks the forty-day Advent of Christ in the Temple. This Lord’s feast commemorates the 40-day presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
The celebration begins on the evening of February 13 (the day changes after the evening service in the church calendar).
The Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the Advent of the Lord on February 14. It marks the forty-day Advent of Christ in the Temple. This Lord’s feast commemorates the 40-day presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
The celebration begins on the evening of February 13 (the day changes after the evening service in the church calendar). The Annunciation, also known as the Annunciation, is one of the most beloved holidays of the Armenian people. It is celebrated 40 days after the Nativity of Christ, on February 14. It is based on the Gospel story of Mary and Joseph bringing the 40-day-old infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to present him to God. There, they were met by Simon the Elder, who, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognized the Savior and exclaimed, “The light that will be revealed to the Gentiles!” Hence the name of the feast: “The Annunciation of the Lord.”
According to the canon of the Armenian Church, on the eve of the feast, after the evening service, a pre-feast service is held. It heralds the beginning of the Lord’s feast. At the end of the pre-feast service, the Andastan rite is performed, during which all four cardinal directions are blessed. Bonfires are lit from the fires of church lamps as a symbol of the light of Christ. Fire, in the Christian understanding, symbolizes the light and warmth of Christ.
The main idea of the feast is the mystery of light, the dispelling of darkness by the light of Christ.
Flying over the bonfire is a folk custom that the Church does not reject, but gives it new meaning. By flying over the fire, believers demonstrate their willingness to overcome trials together and cast off the burden of the past.
This year, the Holy Liturgy of Tyarnundarakh is the last liturgy before Lent, during which believers can receive Holy Communion. By decree of His Holiness Karekin II, Tyarnundarakh has been declared the Day of Blessing of Newlyweds. Couples who married in the previous year participate in the liturgy and receive a blessing.