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ARMENIA CELEBRATES TRNDEZ
Vestnik Kavkaza
Feb 18 2013
Russia
Author: Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan, exclusively for VK
On February 13 Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Trndez
(Candlemas). According to the law of Moses, the woman who gave birth
to a boy could not enter the temple for 40 days. Afterwards the woman
came to the temple with her baby to bring a sacrifice and get blessing
from a priest. Trndez (Candlemas) marks the presentation of Jesus to
the temple.
On the eve, the evening mass is followed by Andastan - the ritual
of blessing four sides of the world - and the ritual of blessing
the candle. According to the ancient tradition that goes back to the
pre-Christian times, the candle lights the fire that now symbolizes
the saving light of Christ. On the decision of the head of Armenian
Church Karekin II this day is considered the day for blessing the
newly-weds. This ritual is performed in all the churches after the
holiday mass.
Initially Trndez was a pagan celebration. It was called Derendez
what in Armenian meant "bundle of hay in front of your house." This
was a good wish for the house.. When Armenia adopted Christianity,
the name of the holiday changed, and it became known as "Terendez"
from "ter" - the owner, the creator. The meaning of it boils down to
the fact that "God is with us" and we all turned to God.
The bonfire is the main symbol of the holiday, and the young couples
have to jump over it. It was believed that the fire has a purifying
power and helps fight the diseases and bad luch. It was said that
the newly-weds that in their first Trndez would jump over the bonfire
holding their hands will live long and happily. Often their relatives
were standing nearby and throuwing wheat grains in the fire. After
the newly-weds, the childless women were jumping over the fire in the
hope that the flame will help them get pregnant. It could happen only
once a year.
The fires were organized in the courtyards of the church and were
meant for the entire congregation. The tradition of having a fire in
the courtyard of the newlyweds' house dates back to the 19th century.
The fire meant wellbeing and was believed to avert the evil. The
fires also meants fertility, wealth and good livestock. According to
the priest Esai Artenyan, jumping over the fire has no connection
to Christianity, but it does not impede salvation. "The Church
has never said that one needs to jump over the fire, it is just a
popular tradition. Popular believes and church rituals should be
distinguished".
According to the ehtnologist Granush Kharatyan, in the USSR the church
holidays were repressed. "In the Soviet times Trndez did not have a
clear religious components, it was more of a popular custom. It was
pushed out from some parts of Armenia, but remained important in the
northern and central regions such as Shirak, Talin, Vayots Dzor and
Ararat valley populated the descendants of the Armenians who fled from
genocide. Now this holiday revived with the stron religious component.
Same as before, the church does not intend to push away the popular
tradition of bonfires".
Of course, today nobody starts fires in front of the block houses in
Yerevan, but the young couples take part in the church ceremonies. It
is believed to be a family holiday so it is usually celebrated in
the narrow circle of relatives. The parents of the young wive come
to visit her and bring presents. Previously, the gifts were brough
on a round tray, but now in a special busket full of fruit, candies,
corn and seeds that are thrown in the fire.
The popularity of Trndez, same as other church holidays dating
back for centuries, confirms Armenia's devotion to its history
and religion. The customs and revivlas that are now being reborn,
together with the faith and the language compose the spiritual axis
of the people. Three holidays - Trndez, Vardavar (roses in the water),
devoted to the spirit of love and beauty Astkhik, and the day of St.
Sarkis who protects the lovers compose the bucquet of the religious
holidays for love and marriage. All these three holidays are considered
the reflection of the Armenian mentality - no matter where Armenians
live, their main priority is family, then good education for children
and their home.
.
Vestnik Kavkaza
Feb 18 2013
Russia
Author: Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan, exclusively for VK
On February 13 Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Trndez
(Candlemas). According to the law of Moses, the woman who gave birth
to a boy could not enter the temple for 40 days. Afterwards the woman
came to the temple with her baby to bring a sacrifice and get blessing
from a priest. Trndez (Candlemas) marks the presentation of Jesus to
the temple.
On the eve, the evening mass is followed by Andastan - the ritual
of blessing four sides of the world - and the ritual of blessing
the candle. According to the ancient tradition that goes back to the
pre-Christian times, the candle lights the fire that now symbolizes
the saving light of Christ. On the decision of the head of Armenian
Church Karekin II this day is considered the day for blessing the
newly-weds. This ritual is performed in all the churches after the
holiday mass.
Initially Trndez was a pagan celebration. It was called Derendez
what in Armenian meant "bundle of hay in front of your house." This
was a good wish for the house.. When Armenia adopted Christianity,
the name of the holiday changed, and it became known as "Terendez"
from "ter" - the owner, the creator. The meaning of it boils down to
the fact that "God is with us" and we all turned to God.
The bonfire is the main symbol of the holiday, and the young couples
have to jump over it. It was believed that the fire has a purifying
power and helps fight the diseases and bad luch. It was said that
the newly-weds that in their first Trndez would jump over the bonfire
holding their hands will live long and happily. Often their relatives
were standing nearby and throuwing wheat grains in the fire. After
the newly-weds, the childless women were jumping over the fire in the
hope that the flame will help them get pregnant. It could happen only
once a year.
The fires were organized in the courtyards of the church and were
meant for the entire congregation. The tradition of having a fire in
the courtyard of the newlyweds' house dates back to the 19th century.
The fire meant wellbeing and was believed to avert the evil. The
fires also meants fertility, wealth and good livestock. According to
the priest Esai Artenyan, jumping over the fire has no connection
to Christianity, but it does not impede salvation. "The Church
has never said that one needs to jump over the fire, it is just a
popular tradition. Popular believes and church rituals should be
distinguished".
According to the ehtnologist Granush Kharatyan, in the USSR the church
holidays were repressed. "In the Soviet times Trndez did not have a
clear religious components, it was more of a popular custom. It was
pushed out from some parts of Armenia, but remained important in the
northern and central regions such as Shirak, Talin, Vayots Dzor and
Ararat valley populated the descendants of the Armenians who fled from
genocide. Now this holiday revived with the stron religious component.
Same as before, the church does not intend to push away the popular
tradition of bonfires".
Of course, today nobody starts fires in front of the block houses in
Yerevan, but the young couples take part in the church ceremonies. It
is believed to be a family holiday so it is usually celebrated in
the narrow circle of relatives. The parents of the young wive come
to visit her and bring presents. Previously, the gifts were brough
on a round tray, but now in a special busket full of fruit, candies,
corn and seeds that are thrown in the fire.
The popularity of Trndez, same as other church holidays dating
back for centuries, confirms Armenia's devotion to its history
and religion. The customs and revivlas that are now being reborn,
together with the faith and the language compose the spiritual axis
of the people. Three holidays - Trndez, Vardavar (roses in the water),
devoted to the spirit of love and beauty Astkhik, and the day of St.
Sarkis who protects the lovers compose the bucquet of the religious
holidays for love and marriage. All these three holidays are considered
the reflection of the Armenian mentality - no matter where Armenians
live, their main priority is family, then good education for children
and their home.
.