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ARMENIAN CHURCH CELEBRATED ST. VARTANANTS DAY TO MARK THE BATTLE OF AVARAYR
By Lilit Arakelyan
ArmeniaNow
16.02.12
Today the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Saint Vartanants Day,
the Feast of Saint Vartan the Captain and his Companions on February
16. In Yerevan, a procession from St. Zoravor Church to Vartan
Mamikonyan statue was held, followed by a festive party dedicated to
the holiday.
A divine liturgy has been served at all churches since morning, and
later a group of clergymen, youngsters, representatives of student
organizations and NGOs participated in the procession accompanied by
a brass band.
The Feast of St. Vartan the Captain and his 1,036 Companions (who are
sanctified by the Armenian Apostolic Church) marks their martyrdom
in May 451 in the battle of Avarayr, fighting for the freedom of
conscience and religion for the Armenian nation.
"This feast is dedicated to all Vartanants' Companions, who have
consciously chosen to die for liberating their country and defending
their Christian faith. In this respect, this holiday encourages all
Armenian soldiers to be loyal to their homeland and to defend it,"
says priest Ter Shmavon Ghevondyan.
Vartanants Day is usually celebrated on Thursday preceding Lent. This
is a feast dedicated to the battle of those sacred captains, who
were written about by great Armenian historian Yeghishe, Armenian
writer Derenik Demirtchyan (with his 'Vardanank' historian novel),
and well-known Armenian painter Grigor Khanjyan (1926-2000) created
'The Battle of Vardanank in AD 451' mural which is now hosted by
Cafesjian Center for Arts.
From: Baghdasarian
By Lilit Arakelyan
ArmeniaNow
16.02.12
Today the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Saint Vartanants Day,
the Feast of Saint Vartan the Captain and his Companions on February
16. In Yerevan, a procession from St. Zoravor Church to Vartan
Mamikonyan statue was held, followed by a festive party dedicated to
the holiday.
A divine liturgy has been served at all churches since morning, and
later a group of clergymen, youngsters, representatives of student
organizations and NGOs participated in the procession accompanied by
a brass band.
The Feast of St. Vartan the Captain and his 1,036 Companions (who are
sanctified by the Armenian Apostolic Church) marks their martyrdom
in May 451 in the battle of Avarayr, fighting for the freedom of
conscience and religion for the Armenian nation.
"This feast is dedicated to all Vartanants' Companions, who have
consciously chosen to die for liberating their country and defending
their Christian faith. In this respect, this holiday encourages all
Armenian soldiers to be loyal to their homeland and to defend it,"
says priest Ter Shmavon Ghevondyan.
Vartanants Day is usually celebrated on Thursday preceding Lent. This
is a feast dedicated to the battle of those sacred captains, who
were written about by great Armenian historian Yeghishe, Armenian
writer Derenik Demirtchyan (with his 'Vardanank' historian novel),
and well-known Armenian painter Grigor Khanjyan (1926-2000) created
'The Battle of Vardanank in AD 451' mural which is now hosted by
Cafesjian Center for Arts.
From: Baghdasarian