Festive Masquerade Barekendan is an old Armenian traditional festival that we are seeking to revive as a form of civil action by calling upon the citizens to “wake up” and become involved in social processions in Armenia. Word Barekendan derives from the two roots – “bari” which means “good” and “kendan” or “kendani” which means “alive” or “living”. […]
Saint Sargis – The Holiday of Lovers in Armenia
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 […]
Celebration of Trndez (Candlemas Day)
On February 14, 40 days after Christmas, Armenian Apostolic Church and all Armenians celebrate “Tearnyndaraj” (Candlemas Day) or as people like to call it – Terndez. According to the Gospel 40 days after the birth of Christ Mary and Joseph took the baby to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and to consecrate to […]
An 8 Century Long Friendship
The friendship between Armenians and Venetians started with the concession of mutual trade privileges in the XIII century between the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia and the Republic of Venice. From this time on the Armenian presence in the city of Venice as a “privileged nation” has been constant. The importance of this presence for the […]
The Madonna of Spitakavor
One of the famous monasteries of historical Syuniq of the 14th century is the Monastery of Spitakavor. This beautiful monastery is situated 7 kms to the north from the village Vernashen of the region Vayots Dzor, in a ravine. In inscriptions and written sources the monastery is mentioned with different names; St. Karapet, Anapat (Desert), […]
Spiritual Center of Medieval Armenia: Haghpat monastery
It is said that once upon a time a lord orders a master to build a monastery. The master and his son come to Sanahin and begin working. One day the father and son have a dispute. The son discomposedly leaves the building and goes away. After some time another lord orders the master’s son to […]
The Gospel of Mughni
Manuscript N 7736 in Matenadaran The 11th century in the cultural life of medieval Armenia is significant for the creation of both architectural and pictorial monuments. A large number of valuable and interesting works of artistic illustration of books were created in different regions of Armenia according to the peculiar features of each region. The […]
Traditions of Christmas Celebration Why December 25th and January 6th
New Year is a time of the year when the “Box of Miracles” opens to grant everyone with love, kindness and dreams. It brings joy and enthusiasm spreading its lovely spirit over people’s homes. In addition to the New Year revelries and the pleasure of exchanging gifts Christian world celebrates also Christmas. Due to the […]
Destroyed Armenian church will be rebuilt in Ankara
To permit the building of a new military hospital in Ankara, Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry required that the Armenian Vank Church, which was completely destroyed at the turn of the 20th Century, be constructed at the given area. The Ministry noted that the Vank Church, which was built in 1759 and which functioned until […]
Sacred Crism
“Main Elements of Sacred Chrism are Olive Oil and Balsam” Chrism (Myron) is one of the most important elements of Christianity; such is its role for many sacraments of the Armenian Church like baptism, seal, consecration and the last anointment. Chrism is of deep sense for a Christian and its gist lies upon Jesus Christ’s savior […]