The “Feast of the Apparition of the Cross” on the Armenian Church’s liturgical calendar commemorates a historical event that took place in Jerusalem in 351 A.D. during the patriarchate of St. Cyril of Jerusalem.
In a letter to the Byzantine Emperor, St. Cyrill wrote: “The all-victorious Sign of the Cross, formed of light, appeared over the sky extending from Holy Golgotha to the Mount of Olives….
The Apparition of the Holy Cross is the first feast dedicated to the Holy Cross in the Armenian liturgical calendar. It is celebrated in remembrance of the appearance of the sign of the cross over the city of Jerusalem in 351 that remained in the sky for several hours.
The fourth Sunday of Eastertide is known as Red Sunday (Garmir Giragi, Կարմիր Կիրակի). The name does not have an ecclesiastical origin. Red is the color of blood, and this may be an appropriate time to honor the memory of the early Christian martyrs.
Easter Sunday is followed by a period of fifty days (Hinoonk). This period from the Resurrection to Pentecost (Hokekaloost) is dedicated to the glorification of the Resurrection. Each of the seven Sundays of Hinoonk has a special name. Second Sunday after Easter is Green Sunday (Ganach Giragi), also called Sunday of the World Church, that commemorates the establishment in …
The Saturday following the Holy Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Armenian Church commemorates the beheading of St. John the Baptist (also known as The Forerunner). The writers of the Gospels, St. Matthew and St. Mark, have explained the history of beheading of St. John the Baptist, who had baptized Christ, and gave the good news of His Coming …
On April 7, the Armenian Church celebrates one of her greatest feasts – the Annunciation to St. Mary. In the Gospel of Luke we learn that the Angel Gabriel brings the good news to the Virgin about the birth of the Savior (Lk 1:26-38).
On Saturday before Palm Sunday, we commemorate the Resurrection of Lazarus, the seventh and last sign of our Lord Jesus Christ described in the Gospel of John (John 11:1-46).
Jesus Christ freed Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, from the grasp of death and restored him to life through the power of His word: “Lazarus, come out!” The same voice that brought the universe to life now called Lazarus from the darkness of death to the light of life.
On Saturday, March 16, 2024, the Armenian Church celebrates one of the three days in its liturgical calendar devoted to St. Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of the Armenian Church. The three days are: Entrance into the Pit; Emergence from the Pit; and Discovery of his remains. ..
On Saturday before Sunday of the Judge the Armenian Church commemorates the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia. Although the backgrounds and identities of the forty young soldiers are not certain, it is believed they came from Lesser Armenia and served in the Roman army.
SAINTS HONORED ON SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2024: St. John, Patriarch of Jerusalem, Hovhan Odznetsi (St. John of Odzoon), Hovhan Vorodnetsi (St. John of Orodni), Krikor Datevatsi (St. Gregory of Datev).
