Holy Christmas and Epiphany in Armenia (06/01)

On January 6, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ —, one of the main Christian holidays.

Until the 5th century, all Christian churches celebrated the feast of the Nativity of Christ and Epiphany on January 6. Subsequently, some churches began to celebrate Holy Christmas on December 25th. This was done so that people would forget the pagan holiday celebrated on this day.

The Armenian Apostolic Church remained faithful to the old order and celebrates Christ's birthday on January 6 simultaneously with the Baptism of Christ under the general name of Epiphany.

On the eve of Holy Christmas, in the evening a liturgy is celebrated, called the Liturgy of Christmas Eve. On this day, believers light a candle in the church and bring it home to illuminate the house and prepare for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ.

The next day, January 6, the Christmas liturgy is celebrated in the morning. Next, the feast of the baptism of Christ is held with a ceremony of blessing the water.

Holy Miro is added to the water, the water is blessed with prayer. According to tradition, after the service, believers bring some blessed water to their homes. Water is called Epiphany water and is a healing remedy for patients, since blessed water has special beneficial properties. Epiphany water is stored and treated as a great shrine.

On the days of Christmas celebration, houses are also blessed. On January 7th, as on all days immediately following the main holiday, a commemoration of the deceased is performed — Merelotz. After the Divine Liturgy, all churches pray for the repose of the soul, after which people visit the graves.

As in Russia, Christmas in Armenia is a family holiday that brings together family and friends at a richly set festive table.

Christmas rituals continue until January 13, until the feast of the naming of the Lord.

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