On June 8, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost


Fifty days after the feast of the Holy Resurrection, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the feast of Pentecost, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Since 2011, by order of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the feast of Pentecost has also been declared the feast day of the Holy Apostles Church in Sevanavank. Every year on that day, the relics of the apostles are taken to the monastery. At the end of the liturgy, the Order of the Cross is performed for the steadfastness of the country and the church.

 

The Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension on Thursday


The feast is based on the stories presented in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, as well as in the Acts of the Apostles, which describe how, forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus ascended the Mount of Olives with his disciples. Raising his hands to heaven, he blessed the apostles and ascended into heaven before their eyes. The resurrection of Christ testifies to the Lord's victory over death, and the ascension is the eternal presence of Christ in our lives.
 

A festive liturgy will be celebrated at the Holy Cross Church in Aparan on May 18


The church was reconsecrated about two decades ago on the feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross, and the day has been declared a day of the sanctuary’s vow. On that day, the relic of Christ’s Cross will be transferred from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the Holy Cross Church in Aparan. The relic will remain in the church until 6:00 p.m. The festive Liturgy begins at 10:00 a.m.
 

The 123rd Diocesan Assembly of Clergy and Deputies convened in the Eastern Diocese of the Norther America


The clergy of the diocese discussed the achievements of the past year, the difficulties of parish life and the challenges facing the homeland. The conference ended with a Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated Church of the Holy Archangels, St. Gabriel and St. Michael. At the initiative of the Primate of the diocese, a social assistance program for 700 homeless people was included in the agenda of the meeting. The clergy and deputies prepared more than 700 food bags to be distributed to local shelters and charitable organizations.
 

A penitential rite was performed and a Holy Liturgy was celebrated in the Diocese of Brazil


The Armenian Diocese of Brazil has been preparing for the Holy Thursday ceremonies with prayer and spiritual conversations for days. Deacon Aramayis Soghbatyan, with the blessing of the Primate of the Diocese, Archbishop Narek, conducted spiritual courses for the students of the Armenian National Durian School, introducing them to the gospel stories and their interpretations. In the second half of the day, a ceremony of Washing of the Feet was performed.

The celebration of Palm Sunday concludes the forty-day period of Great Lent


During the evening service on Holy Tuesday, the parable of the 10 virgins is commemorated. Holy Wednesday commemorates the anointing of Christ and the betrayal of Judas. Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. The ceremony of Washing of the foot is also performed on that day. After the Holy Thursday service, the Rite of the Eclipse is performed. It symbolizes the arrest, suffering, crucifixion, and death of the Lord. Good Friday commemorates the suffering, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. The Rite of the Crucifixion is held in the afternoon, and the Rite of the Burial in the evening. On Holy Saturday, candles and lamps will be lit in churches. On Sunday, a patriarchal liturgy will be served in the Mother Cathedral. The Catholicos of All Armenians will deliver his Easter message.

The Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate Palm Sunday, the commemoration of Christ's entry into Jerusalem, on April 13


Palm Sunday is the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. It also symbolizes the entry of our Lord into the Upper Jerusalem. In this sense, Christ’s entry into Jerusalem is also called the Advent. That is why on the evening of Palm Sunday the ceremony of the Opening of the Doors is performed, which shows the example of the Advent of Christ.
Through the ceremony of the Opening of the Doors, we relive the event expected at the end of the world, when the doors of the Kingdom of God will be opened, and the righteous will enter there. The Opening of the Doors ceremony is performed in the form of a dialogue between the clergy kneeling in front of the closed tabernacle and those standing behind the curtain. In the Armenian Church, this form of question-and-answer is used only during the Opening of the Doors ceremony. The veiled altar symbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven.

On April 7, the Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary


At the end of the liturgy, a blessing ceremony will be held for mothers and women awaiting the joy of motherhood. The Armenian Apostolic Church will reflect on the biblical story of the Annunciation, according to which the angel Gabriel is sent by God to the city of Nazareth in Galilee and announces to Mary, the betrothed of Joseph, that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear a son named Jesus, who will be called the Son of the Most High, will inherit the throne of David, and his kingdom will be eternal.

 

The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the imprisonment of the Illuminator in the Pit on April 5th.


On that day, pilgrimages are organized to Armenian holy places. Usually, numerous groups of pilgrims visit Khor Virap, where Saint Gregory the Illuminator managed to survive for 14 years among snakes and scorpions through prayer and asceticism. The curtain of the church altar will be opened and an open liturgy will be served. The faithful will receive communion.

The Median Day meal has no festive significance and does not break the fast


The people celebrate Median Day with special dishes and a number of rituals. An integral part of the day is the symbolic bagharj or Median Day gata, with a hidden symbol inside. Median Day gata is also a Lenten dish. It is made with oil, honey, nuts, and raisins.

On March 2, the Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the Eve of Great Lent: The start of Great Lent will be announced


Great Lent precedes the feast of the Holy Resurrection of Jesus Christ and lasts 48 days. The curtains of the tabernacle will be closed during the Liturgy on Barekendan itself and will remain closed throughout Lent; communion will not be given, except on a few feasts.

February 25th is the commemoration day of the Saints Ghevond the Priest and His Companions and February 27th is the commemoration day of Saints Vardan the Priest and His Companions


On the day of remembrance of the Saints Ghevond the Priest and His Companions, the clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church traditionally gathers in the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin. A Divine Liturgy is served, at the end of which a priestly gathering takes place. The problems facing the clergy, as well as spiritual programs implemented in the national, family, and educational spheres, are discussed. An awards ceremony is held under the chairmanship of the Patriarch of All Armenians. A Divine Liturgy is also served on the day of remembrance of Saints Vardan the Priest and His Companions, during which a Patriarchal blessing is made.