On Christmas Eve, January 5, Armenians light their homes and churches with candles to illuminate the end of dark days and long nights. Christmas Day is known to Armenians as Water Blessing Day to commemorate Christ’s baptism; holy water, blessed by the head priest, is shared with families in the community.
Also Why is Orthodox Christmas different date?
Christmas falls on a different day in the Orthodox Church because they still observe the traditional Julian calendar, which has the original dates for Christian celebrations before the Gregorian calendar was introduced. This means that, technically, Orthodox churches still observe Christmas on December 25.
Subsequently, Why do Armenians fast before Christmas? Traditionally, Armenians fast before Christmas
A week before Christmas day, some Armenians fast and abstain from meat so as to receive the feast of the Epiphany on a “pure stomach”. … They also prepare traditional braided bread, rice pilaf, figs and others.
What do Armenians eat on Christmas? The Armenians normally fast six days before Christmas Day and abstain from meat during this time. But on Christmas, they consume rice and fish dishes, barley soups and walnuts glazed in jelly. I bring to you some of their classic dishes with a spin on the recipes to make them healthier for the readers.
Was Santa Claus Armenian?
It has appeared that Santa Claus, the same St. Nikolas, has Armenian origin. … “It is mentioned that he was born in 280 and was of Armenian descent. It was considered that he was the son of Ergephan and Armenian beauty Nune.
Why is Catholic and Orthodox Christmas different?
Firstly, the difference between Orthodox and Catholic Christmas is quite simply an issue about dates. … Therefore, while the West celebrates the birth of Christ on the 25th December (according to the Gregorian Calendar), the Orthodox Church, in accordance with the Julian Calendar, celebrate Christmas on the 7th January.
Why do Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas on December 25?
Unlike other countries that are part of the European Union, Greece still has the true meaning of such a holiday as the Nativity of Christ – the birth of Jesus Christ. The date of this holiday is determined following the Gregorian calendar, so it falls on December 25th.
Why is Ukrainian Christmas January 7?
Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated on the 7th January is because, like many countries where the main Church is the Orthodox Church, they use the old ‘Julian’ calendar for their church festivals. … The star represents the journey of the Wise Men to find Jesus and that Jesus has been born, so Christmas can start!
What are some Armenian traditions?
7 Armenian traditions and customs you have to experience
- Burn Baby, burn… …
- Salty biscuits. …
- Palm Sunday Tsaghkazard. …
- Getting drenched at Vardavar. …
- The Blessing of the Grapes. …
- Family is important to the Armenians. …
- Any excuse for a dance.
Is January 6th the birthday of Jesus?
The baptism of Jesus was originally assigned to the same date as the birth because Luke 3:23 was misread to mean that Jesus was exactly 30 when he was baptized. Epiphanius of Salamis says that January 6 is Christ’s “Birthday; that is, His Epiphany” (hemera genethlion toutestin epiphanion).
What do Armenian celebrate?
Armenian Holidays List (2020)
| DATE | HOLIDAY |
|---|---|
| September 2 | Artsakh Independence Day |
| September 21 |
Armenian Independence Day |
| December 7 | Spitak Earthquake Remembrance Day |
| December 31 | New Year’s Eve |
Who celebrates Christmas on the 6th of January?
In the Holy Land, the Orthodox churches use the old, Julian calendar—which has a difference of 13 days with the Gregorian (or “Western” calendar in use today—to determine the date of the religious feasts. Accordingly, the Armenians celebrate Christmas on January 19th and the Greek Orthodox celebrate on January 6th.
Do all Armenian surnames end in Ian?
Many Armenian surnames end in -ian, which signifies possession or belonging. The tradition to do this began when people’s surnames would be the first name of their grandfather plus the suffix -ian.
Is Armenia in Europe?
While Armenia is geographically located in the South Caucasus, it is
generally considered geopolitically European
.
…
Armenia.
| Republic of Armenia Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն (Armenian) Hayastani Hanrapetut’yun | |
|---|---|
| Ethnic groups (2011) | 98.1% Armenians 1.2% Yazidis 0.4% Russians 0.3% other |
What is the difference between Christmas and Orthodox Christmas?
Over the years, the differences in these two calendars meant that certain religious holidays would fall under two different dates, which is essentially why the majority of the world celebrate on December 25th, in accordance to the Gregorian calendar, while a few Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ …
What the difference between Orthodox and Catholic?
The Catholic Church believes the pope to be infallible in matters of doctrine. Orthodox believers reject the infallibility of the pope and consider their own patriarchs, too, as human and thus subject to error. … Most Orthodox Churches have both ordained married priests and celibate monastics, so celibacy is an option.
Is Orthodox Christmas always January 7?
Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7. The celebrations in Orthodox countries began midnight on “Christmas Eve”, by which we mean January 6. … Nowadays, most Orthodox countries follow the Gregorian calendar, but still observe a number of religious holidays on the Julian dates.
Which Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on 25 December?
Most Orthodox Christians for example, celebrate Christmas on January 7th as opposed to December 25th – today namely being the Coptic Orthodox Church (in Egypt) and the Russian Orthodox Church. The difference in these dates lies in the history of how these dates came about in the first place.
When did Greek Orthodox change Christmas?
So the Orthodox Church rejected the Gregorian calendar and continued to rely on the Julian calendar. It stayed that way for centuries, and the calendar drift continued for Orthodox churches. By 1923, there was a 13-day difference between the two calendars, putting Orthodox Christmas 13 days after December 25.
What day does the Greek Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas?
Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on 7 January. However, the celebrations often begin at midnight on “Christmas Eve”, meaning 6 January.
Which Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on January 7?
Most Orthodox Christians for example, celebrate Christmas on January 7th as opposed to December 25th – today namely being the Coptic Orthodox Church (in Egypt) and the Russian Orthodox Church. The difference in these dates lies in the history of how these dates came about in the first place.
Who celebrates Christmas on January 6th?
During the “Armenian Christmas” season, the major events that are celebrated are the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem and His Baptism in the River Jordan. The day of this major feast in the Armenian Church is January 6th.
What holiday is January 7th?
2021 Daily Holidays that fall on January 7, include:
- Distaff Day.
- Harlem Globetrotter’s Day.
- I’m Not Going to Take It Anymore Day.
- International Programmer’s Day.
- National Bobblehead Day.
- National Pass Gas Day.
- National Tempura Day.
- Old Rock Day.