Meanwhile the lovers all over the world celebrate the day of St. Valentine on February 14, in Armenia people in love have the holiday devoted to their patron, general St. Sargis. This holiday is also announced as the day of the youth blessing. It is celebrated 63 days before the Easter, on a Saturday between the January 18 and February 23. This year we celebrate the holiday on the 4th of February. According to the tradition Sargis was a military commander who was martyred for Christian faith. His son Martiros and 14 brave fighters also died. After that commander Sargis was sanctified by Armenian Apostolic Church and became the patron and defender of all lovers.
On the morning of the holiday the saint liturgy takes place in all the churches that are named St. Sargis where the ceremony of blessing the youth takes place as well. Besides the religious ritual, the popular traditions are interesting and especially loved among people. According to those traditions the young people eat salty patty in the evening of the eve of the holiday.
According to the tradition they should not drink water after eating it in order to see their future bride or bridegroom in the dream who will serve them a glass of water. It is accepted to put a tray with flour or porridge made from fried flour in the balcony or on the roof of the house waiting for Saint Sargis to come on his white horse and leave the trace of horse-shoe. As the legend says Saint Sargis should pass with his angels and the person on whose tray he will leave the trace of the horse-shoe, his or her cherished dream will come true in t he same year. In Armenia great celebrations, pilgrimages and holiday events accompanied by songs and dances, are taking place throughout the holiday. On that day it is especially crowded in the “Lovers’ Park”, which is calling for the young people and loving couples who exchange souvenirs, holiday cards and candies as a sign of their love.