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, 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).
On the second Saturday in Great Lent (Poon Paregentan) the Armenian Church commemorates St. Cyril (315-386) of Jerusalem, a doctor of the church. St. Cyril had a pleasant and conciliatory disposition, but he lived at a time when bishops were embroiled in bitter controversies and were quick to condemn any attempts at compromises, even calling such attempts as treason…
Today, as we remember St. Leon (Ghevont), the priest, and his companions, we are reminded of the profound sacrifice and unwavering faith that have shaped our history and sustained our Armenian spirit through the ages. St. Ghevont’s life and actions during the Vartanantz war stand as a beacon of courage and divine commitment, illuminating the path of righteousness for all of us, especially those called to serve in the priesthood.
Every year, on the Thursday preceding the Great Lent, Armenians throughout the world celebrate Vartanants Day in commemoration of one of their most heroic struggles. It was a war of human rights between Zoroastrian Persia and Christian Armenia in the year 451. The cause was freedom of conscience, freedom of religion. In 387, Armenia came under the control of the then-two superpowers: the Byzantine and Persian empires. The Persian Empire had ambitions for world domination. It wanted …
After the battle of Vartanants, a number of priests and deacons were abducted by the Persian king and imprisoned, tortured and martyred. Ghevont is revered as the leader of the group because he was an advisor to Vartan Mamigonian, and is remembered for the inspiring message he delivered on the eve of the battle of Avarayr. Ghevont, who was highly educated, assisted …
This Saturday, February 3, the Armenian Church commemorates Catholicos Sahag (Isaac) Bartev, a strong and great leader who is recognized as one of the greatest saints of the Armenian Church. His accomplishments, even under very difficult political situations, secured the survival of the Armenian nation. He was the son of St. Nerses the Great and a descendant of St…
