Tweet
TIARN'NDARAJ TO BE CELEBRATED ON FEBRUARY 14
10:37 13/02/2013 " SOCIETY
On February 14, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the
Lord's Presentation to the Temple. Tiarn'ndaraj, or Candlemas as it
is known in the West, symbolizes the presentation of the 40 day-old
Christ Child to the Temple in Jerusalem.
In accordance with the Law of Moses, the infant Christ was brought
to the Temple by Mary and Joseph and presented to God. A man named
Simeon was there, to whom it had been revealed that he should not see
death before he had seen the Lord. Simeon held the infant in his arms,
blessed God, and said, "Lord, let your servant now depart in peace,
for my eyes have seen your Salvation, which you have prepared before
the face of all people. A Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the
Glory of Your people, Israel." (Luke 2:29-32)
In the tradition of the Church, Evening Services (Nakhatonak) are
conducted on the night preceding the Feast Day. At the conclusion
of the service, the priest lights a candle from the Holy Altar, and
distributes the flame to all present. With great care, the faithful
take the lit candles home to their families.
The morning of the Feast Day, Divine Liturgy is celebrated in Armenian
Churches throughout the world. The hymn offered during the Liturgy
commemorating Tiarn'ndaraj glorifies Simeon's articulation of "a
Light to lighten the Gentiles". The hymn praising Simeon also lauds
the Mystery of the Incarnation.
In the past, young newlywed women used to run in the streets,
clapping wooden sticks together to announce the start of the feast of
Tiarn'ndaraj. They also prepared what was called "Kenats Tsar," or
"Life Trees," in addition to special baskets of candies and fruits
that these women would give to their in-laws. In return, their
mother-in-laws would prepare baskets as well, which were filled with
ornaments and presents like raisins, candies, fruits and sugar. And
nearly every family prepared "aghandz," a dessert made of roasted
wheat and sesame seeds.
Now, the tradition of couples jumping over the bonfire is really the
only one still practiced. But in recent years, His Holiness Karekin II,
the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, has revived
the Divine Liturgy of Tiarn'ndaraj in all Armenian Churches. Newly
married couples still come to be blessed during the ceremony.
Source: Panorama.am
10:37 13/02/2013 " SOCIETY
On February 14, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the
Lord's Presentation to the Temple. Tiarn'ndaraj, or Candlemas as it
is known in the West, symbolizes the presentation of the 40 day-old
Christ Child to the Temple in Jerusalem.
In accordance with the Law of Moses, the infant Christ was brought
to the Temple by Mary and Joseph and presented to God. A man named
Simeon was there, to whom it had been revealed that he should not see
death before he had seen the Lord. Simeon held the infant in his arms,
blessed God, and said, "Lord, let your servant now depart in peace,
for my eyes have seen your Salvation, which you have prepared before
the face of all people. A Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the
Glory of Your people, Israel." (Luke 2:29-32)
In the tradition of the Church, Evening Services (Nakhatonak) are
conducted on the night preceding the Feast Day. At the conclusion
of the service, the priest lights a candle from the Holy Altar, and
distributes the flame to all present. With great care, the faithful
take the lit candles home to their families.
The morning of the Feast Day, Divine Liturgy is celebrated in Armenian
Churches throughout the world. The hymn offered during the Liturgy
commemorating Tiarn'ndaraj glorifies Simeon's articulation of "a
Light to lighten the Gentiles". The hymn praising Simeon also lauds
the Mystery of the Incarnation.
In the past, young newlywed women used to run in the streets,
clapping wooden sticks together to announce the start of the feast of
Tiarn'ndaraj. They also prepared what was called "Kenats Tsar," or
"Life Trees," in addition to special baskets of candies and fruits
that these women would give to their in-laws. In return, their
mother-in-laws would prepare baskets as well, which were filled with
ornaments and presents like raisins, candies, fruits and sugar. And
nearly every family prepared "aghandz," a dessert made of roasted
wheat and sesame seeds.
Now, the tradition of couples jumping over the bonfire is really the
only one still practiced. But in recent years, His Holiness Karekin II,
the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, has revived
the Divine Liturgy of Tiarn'ndaraj in all Armenian Churches. Newly
married couples still come to be blessed during the ceremony.
Source: Panorama.am