Terendez in Armenia (13/02)

National Armenian holiday Terendez (Trndez, Arm. celebrated annually on February 13, the րնի), with its folk festivities, is very reminiscent of Russian Maslenitsa, but with elements of Catholic Valentine's Day, since the main characters of this day are — lovers.

Initially, Terendez was a pagan holiday in the ritual of fire worshipers and was called Derendez, which translated from Armenian means «snop hay in front of your house» and means a wish for a good harvest.

After Armenia converted to Christianity, both the name of the holiday and its essence changed. It began to be celebrated in honor of the Presentation of the Lord (Tjarnendarach), and the main participants in Terendez were young men and women — newlyweds or those who were just about to tie the knot of marriage.

After the festive liturgy, the ceremony of blessing the newlyweds is performed in all churches. An important attribute of the day remains the fire through which couples in love jump. It is believed that if they manage to make a jump without parting their hands, then their family will be strong, and love — will be eternal. Following the young couples, childless women — jump over the fire in the hope that the flames will help them get pregnant. In the end, everyone joins hands and dances around the fire.

According to ancient Armenian beliefs, a festive fire on this day gives prosperity to those whom it touches with its languages. When the fire goes out, the remaining ash is collected and scattered throughout the fields, which should bring a good harvest next fall.

Currently, fires are not lit everywhere, but, in any case, boys and girls walk the streets in the evening, holding cups with lit candles in their hands.

Trndez is celebrated not only in Armenia, but also in some cities of Russia —, as a rule, in those where Armenian national communities are strong.

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