Armenian National Holidays

Every nation has its own holidays both religious and traditional. Armenia is a Christian country since 301 A.D. but it had a huge history before that. So some of the traditional holidays are coming from ancient times and were dedicated to pagan gods and goddesses. Check out some information about Armenian national holidays and come to enjoy the happy atmosphere with the locals.

Tiarn’ndaraj (Trndez)

Trndez is celebrated by young adults, newly-weds and families throughout Armenia. People make a big bonfire in front of their houses, which is a symbol of purification, and the couples jump over the fire hand in hand, for luck, prosperity, and fertility. Even the fire’s ashes were believed to have healing powers, so people would keep a part of it in their houses. 

It was intended as a wish of prosperity to the home and fertility to the land. In ancient Armenia, the holiday was associated with the worship of Vahagn – the god of fire, sun, war and courage. Though the celebration’s roots are in Armenian pagan tradition nevertheless it became one of the religious holidays. In the tradition of the Church, the celebration is officially named “Tiarn’ndaraj” or Candlemas, and symbolizes the presentation of the 40 day-old Christ Child to the Temple in Jerusalem. According to the Armenian Apostolic Church, it is celebrated 40 days after Jesus’ birth. Since the Church celebrates Christmas on Jan. 6, that means Tiarn’ndaraj or Trndez is always officially celebrated on Feb. 14.

Saint Sargis day

Lovers all over the world celebrate the St. Valentine’s day, meanwhile in Armenia people in love have a holiday devoted to their patron St. Sargis. This holiday is celebrated 63 days before Easter, on a Saturday between Jan. 18 and Feb. 23. In Armenia great celebrations, pilgrimages and holiday events accompanied by songs and dances, are taking place throughout the holiday.

There is a unique tradition connected with salty cookies. Every year before Saint Sargis day people are making salty cookies and only young single people eat them before going to sleep. According to tradition they should not drink water after eating it in order to see their future bride or groom in their dream who will serve them a glass of water. But who should cook those cookies? Some people say that it must be cooked only by a widow who lost her husband and still in love with him. Others believe that it must be cooked by women who are married and have a happy family.

Why salty cookies? The thing is that the cookies must be really salty because salt is awakening the subconsciousness and helps to see dreams. It is interesting how people start to discuss their dreams the day after it and how they describe their future groom or bride. So Armenian national holidays can even predict your future.

There is another belief about a plate filled with flour. People put a plate of flour near the open windows or on the roof before sleeping. They believe that in case of finding St. Sargis’ horse’s hoofprint on the flour the year will be lucky for the young lady of that house.

Barekendan

Masks, folk songs, dances, and most importantly, a joyful atmosphere – all these can be found during Barekendan which is celebrated in spring, a day before the Lent. It is one of the most ancient Armenian holidays. In old times, it was celebrated in February – the New Year according to the lunar calendar. It was believed that at this time nature awakens as spring comes.

Barekendan was and still is a big holiday full of songs and dances. During this holiday drinking a lot of wine is a must. In February the wine which was made in the autumn becomes especially tasty. It raises the mood for fun and warms in cold weather. And while during the Lent, for 48 days, Armenians refuse to eat meat and drink wine, Barekendan is their “last chance” to have as much fun as possible.

This is a unique holiday because people make a special doll for it called “Aklatiz”. It is a man-shape doll, which holds stones or chilli peppers in his hand and people believe that in case of breaking the rules of the Lent, Aklatiz will punish them. It also has seven feathers hanging from its feet. The number of those feathers symbolize the seven weeks of the Lent. Every week starting from the day of Barekendan people remove a feather and count the weeks till the end of the Lent.

1st of June

The day of protection of children’s rights-It was first proclaimed by the World Conference for the Well-being of Children in 1925 and then established universally in 1954 to protect children working long hours in dangerous circumstances and allow all children access to education.

In the Republic of Armenia June 1 is a real festivity for children arranged by the cultural and entertainment organizations. Different events mainly concerts are held in the capital of the Republic and in the regions as well. All the squares are full of children who cry and laugh filling the air with happy emotions. Especially the Freedom Square is painted with colourful chalks. 

Parents take their children to the Victory park where a lot of attractions are waiting for them. One can try the autodrome or the Roller-coasters. Candies, ice cream, balloons, competitions and prizes…so the day is becoming unforgettable.

Grape blessing day or The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

One of the Armenian national holidays is the grape blessing day. In pagan times this holiday was dedicated to the goddess of fertility and harvest-Anahit. The grapes, pomegranates and the wheat were her symbols. And the grape blessing day was also connected with her as it was a big ritual before which it was not allowed to eat grapes and make wine. 

As all the pagan holidays were transformed into Christian holidays this one was not an exception. According to Armenian Apostolic Church there are seven days dedicated to Holy Mary and this is the oldest one. By the way even in the places of the temples dedicated to Anahit new churches named after Holy Mary were built.

Nowadays it is celebrated from 12-18 of August and after the Church service the priest blesses the harvest and the grapes. Only after that people eat the grapes for the first time and can start the wine making process.

The Importance of Armenian National Holidays

So why Armenians love to celebrate holidays? Firstly, they are reminding us of our past and are important for keeping traditions for our future generations. Secondly, each of those holidays has its meaning, purpose and typical songs and dances. 

People started to create holidays since ancient times dedicated to mainly nature- sun, fire, water, birds and animals, natural disasters and so on. Some of the holidays are unfortunately changed or completely lost during the time but all of them are tightly connected with the nation.

In fact all Armenian national holidays have the power of bringing people together so it can become a great experience for everyone to take part in these holidays.

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