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Commemoration of Sts. Captain Andre and his army, Martyrs Kalinikos and Dometios

Commemoration of Sts. Captain Andre and his army, Martyrs Kalinikos and Dometios

 

The quick spreading of Christianity especially on the territory of the Roman Empire since the 3rd century started to worry the kings. Royal charters were issued ordering the Christians to adopt the heathen religion, otherwise they should be persecuted to death. During that period of persecutions any Christians preferred to die than to Betray Jesus Christ.

The Church always appreciated the torments of the people for the sake of Christ, their courage and strength of their faith. Among such people are the martyrs Eugenios and Makarios, martyred during the reign of the King Julianos the Betrayer. Martyrs Valerios, Canditos and Akyoughas have been martyred during the reign of the Kings Diokletianos and  Maximianos.

Commemorating the martyrs’ memory, the Church teaches the faithful to remain loyal to Christ even under most severe circumstances.

Captian Andre is a Uni-Christian saint, who was martyred for the sake of spreading of Christianity. He was from Cilicia and lived during the period of reign of the Roman Emperor Dioklethianos. As a high-ranking officer he served in the Royal Army of Syria and he was a Christian.

During the war against Persians, when his Army consisting of nearly 600 soldiers was forced to retreat, the brave Captain encouraged the soldiers by the name of Jesus Christ and returning the Army to the field of battle, won the war. Following the victory the whole Army converted to Christianity. General Commander of the entire Army, becoming aware of that fact, sent armed forces and killed all Christian soldiers in the gorge of Turos.

Kalinikos was a Christian from Galatia. Being a seller of vegetable oil, he moved from one place to another and preached the Christian faith. He was imprisoned and forced to renounce Christ; he refused, and being subjected to severe torments, was martyred.
Dometios was from a noble Christian family from Tarson. He was the contemporary of the Emperor Dioklethianos. Being a physician, he traveled to various places and healed the needy patients by means of both his medical knowledge and skills and the strength of his faith. Meanwhile he consoled the Christians who were being subjected to torments. However, soon he was imprisoned and was taken to Nicomedia for being subjected to trial. Despite his great desire to be martyred, while being carried for subjecting to torments, on this way he stopped for a minute to pray and passed away.

When is celebrated

05.08.2008
27.01.2009
15.11.2010
14.11.2011
03.09.2012
06.08.2013
28.01.2014
04.08.2015
14.11.2016
04.09.2017
03.09.2018
29.01.2019
28.01.2020
15.11.2021
14.11.2022
04.09.2023
06.08.2024
28.01.2025
04.08.2026
15.11.2027
04.09.2028
03.09.2029
29.01.2030

Commemoration of Sts. Adrianos and his wife - Anatolia, Martyrs Theodoros and Elevturos

Commemoration of Sts. Adrianos and his wife - Anatolia, Martyrs Theodoros and Elevturos

 

St. Adrianos was a high-ranking officer, who served in the Roman Army during the reign of the Roman Emperor Maximianos. Initially he was heathen and subjected Christians to persecutions. However, witnessing the Christians’ courage and patience and thanks to the prayers and efforts of his wife – Anatolia, he finally becomes Christian. For conversion to Christianity he is imprisoned and subjected to most severe torments and is martyred in 310 A. D. Anatolia, who encouraged the prisoners during the persecutions realized against Christians, exhorted them to remain loyal to their faith.  She served the imprisoned Christians so devotedly that received the name “sister of martyrs”. After the death of her husband she leaves for Byzantine and lives there.

St. Theodoros served as a captain in the Roman Army during the reign of the Roman Emperor Likianos. Despite the fact that Likianos had signed with Kostandianos a Charter on liberating Christians, changes his decision and starts persecutions against Christians. Becoming aware that Theodoros is Christian and, moreover, converts other people to Christianity, Likianos orders him to give up his faith and to follow his previous faith. Thodoros prefers to be subjected to torments than to renounce Christ. Upon the king’s order he is severely beaten, bound to the wooden cross with his head downwards and is beheaded in 319 A. D.

St. Elevturos has lived in Galatia during the reign of the King Dekos. One of the citizens of Galatia criticizes the King Koumvria for his cruelty and as the result of criticism is beheaded. Elevturos, who attended the ceremony of beheading, more strictly criticizes the court and is persecuted for that, but miraculously escapes death. Witnessing the miarcle, many heathens become Christian, and among them - the heathen priest Kalinikos, who proclaims himself Christian and is beheaded. Elevturous, enduring many torments, passes away.

When is celebrated

07.08.2008
29.01.2009
16.11.2010
15.11.2011
04.09.2012
08.08.2013
30.01.2014
06.08.2015
15.11.2016
05.09.2017
04.09.2018
31.01.2019
30.01.2020
16.11.2021
15.11.2022
05.09.2023
08.09.2024
30.01.2025
06.08.2026
16.11.2027
05.09.2028
04.09.2029
31.01.2030

Commemoration Day of 200 Pontiffs participating in the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus

Commemoration Day of 200 Pontiffs participating in the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus

 

The Ecumenical Council of Ephesus was convened in 431 A. D., during the reign of the King Theodosius Small. 200 Pontiffs participated in the Council with the goal to criticize the false teaching of Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople. According to his teaching there were two independent - divine and human natures in Christ, contrasting each other. Nestorius preached that Christ was born as a simple man and only later Divinity was settled in His Person, and therefore, the Holy Virgin Mary was not Godmother, but the mother of a simple man.

The Ecumenical Council of Ephesus condemns the teaching of Nestorius and adopts the teaching of St. Cyril of Alexandria as an orthodox teaching, according to which the divine and human natures of Christ do not exist separately, but are united unmixedly, without confusion - one Lord, one Jesus, one face and one united divine and human nature. St. Mary is not the mother of a simple man, but she is Godmother as she gave birth to the Son of God. So, the formulation of St. Cyril of Alexandria: “One is the nature of the Incarnate Word of God” was adopted.

The Armenian Church has not participated in that Ecumenical Council but has adopted its resolutions and ecumenical authority together with the previous Ecumenical Councils.

When is celebrated

09.08.2008
08.08.2009
07.08.2010
06.08.2011
04.08.2012
10.08.2013
09.08.2014
08.08.2015
06.08.2016
05.08.2017
04.08.2018
10.08.2019
08.08.2020
07.08.2021
06.08.2022
05.08.2023
10.08.2024
09.08.2025
08.08.2026
07.08.2027
05.08.2028
04.08.2029
10.08.2030

Eve of the Fast of St. Mary, Holy Godmother

Eve of the Fast of St. Mary, Holy Godmother

 

This is the Sunday preceding the week prior to the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary, Holy Godmother, one of the major feasts of Armenian Apostolic Church and one of the seven feasts dedicated to St. Mary. The fasting period lasts from Monday to Friday.

When is celebrated

10.08.2008
09.08.2009
08.08.2010
07.08.2011
05.08.2012
11.08.2013
10.08.2014
09.08.2015
07.08.2016
06.08.2017
05.08.2018
11.08.2019
09.08.2020
08.08.2021
07.08.2022
06.08.2023
11.08.2024
10.08.2025
09.08.2026
08.08.2027
06.08.2028
05.08.2029
11.08.2030

Feast of the Apparition (“Shoghakat”) of Holy Etchmiadzin

Feast of the Apparition (“Shoghakat”) of Holy Etchmiadzin

 

The Feast of “Shoghakat” of Holy Etchmiadzin commemorates the inauguration of the Cathedral of the Mother See. The fifth century Greek historian Agathangelos tells us of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s divine vision, wherein our Lord Jesus Christ descends from Heaven and strikes the ground with His golden hammer.  In view of biblical Mount Ararat, in the city of Vagharshapat, the place where the Only Begotten descended identified the site for the foundation of the new cathedral of the Christian Armenian Nation. The vision of Gregory became known as “Shoghakat”, as the Saint saw a fiery column descending from the sky.

The foundation was laid in 301 A.D. and the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin was consecrated in 303 A.D. on the day of the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God.  We learn from Archbishop Malachia Ormanian that as the Mother Cathedral of the Armenian Church and Nation is dedicated to St. Mary, the feast of her foundation and inauguration is celebrated in the Armenian Church on the Saturday preceding the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God.

For 1,700 years, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has been, and continues to be, the spiritual heart and center of the Armenian Church, and is her most sacred sanctuary. Her spiritual, national and historical significance has only increased through the centuries.  Through the vision of St. Gregory, God Incarnate descended upon the soil of Armenia and predetermined her future, making Armenia the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as its official religion.

When is celebrated

16.08.2008
15.08.2009
14.08.2010
13.08.2011
11.08.2012
17.08.2013
16.08.2014
15.08.2015
13.08.2016
12.08.2017
11.08.2018
17.08.2019
15.08.2020
14.08.2021
13.08.2022
12.08.2023
17.08.2024
16.08.2025
15.08.2026
14.08.2027
12.08.2028
11.08.2029
17.08.2030

Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God

Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God

 

Each year on the Sunday closest to the date of August 15, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary, the Holy Mother of God. In the Calendar of the Armenian Church, this feast is the fourth of five major feasts that are commemorated, and is the oldest one dedicated to St. Mary.

In the Holy Bible, there is little information concerning the details of St. Mary’s life. As a result, the story of her Assumption has been preserved and passed on to us through the Holy and Sacred Tradition of the Apostolic Church.

Following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Holy Virgin remains in Jerusalem, and lives under the care of St. John the Evangelist. For nearly 12 years, St. Mary lives by praying, fasting, and often visiting the empty tomb of her beloved Son. During one such visit to the tomb, the Archangel Gabriel appears and gives her the news of her imminent assumption to heaven. St. Mary relays the news to her relatives and all Christians, asking them to bury her in the valley of Gethsemane. St. Mary also asks the Apostle John to celebrate a Divine Liturgy, so she may receive Holy Communion one final time. After receiving Holy Communion, St. Mary returns to her room. As the Apostles prepare to mourn her death, St. John asks the Mother of God to leave an image of her face on a board of wood.  St. Mary takes the board, crosses herself and brings it close to her face.  Moistening the board with her tears, she asks God that by means of the board, people would be cured from disease.  As the Apostles surround St. Mary, an indescribable light appears. The Son of God and the angels of heaven appear in the room. Seeing Christ, St. Mary dies.

St. Bartholomew the Apostle was absent and did not participate in the burial service of St. Mary. Upon his return to Jerusalem, he wishes to see St. Mary for the last time. Per his request, the Apostles open the tomb, yet they do not find the remains of St. Mary.  According to His promise, Jesus Christ had delivered His mother to His heavenly kingdom. The Apostles give the board of St. Mary to St. Bartholomew for consolation.
According to Moses of Khoren, St. Bartholomew brings the board to Armenia. It is kept in the Province of Andzav, in a location called Darbnots. Years later, a church is built there in honor of St. Mary, and a convent is opened.

On the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary, the Ceremony of the Blessing of the Grapes is conducted, and the harvest for the entire year is blessed on that day.

The Armenian Church has a deep and abiding respect towards St. Mary.  Special emphasis is placed on her being a mother, her honesty, her unique spirit of humility, her virtuous behavior and her unselfish dedication. For Armenian women, the Holy Virgin is the embodiment of virtue, pious motherhood, and the protector of family sacredness.

When is celebrated

17.08.2008
16.08.2009
15.08.2010
14.08.2011
12.08.2012
18.08.2013
17.08.2014
16.08.2015
14.08.2016
13.08.2017
12.08.2018
18.08.2019
16.08.2020
15.08.2021
14.08.2022
13.08.2023
18.08.2024
17.08.2025
16.08.2026
15.08.2027
13.08.2028
12.08.2029
18.08.2030

Commemoration of Sts. Joachim and Anna, Parents of the Holy Mother of God, and Oil-Bringing Women

Commemoration of Sts. Joachim and Anna, Parents of the Holy Mother of God, and Oil-Bringing Women

 

The names of St. Joachim (Jehoiakim) and Anna are closely related to Jesus, as they are the parents of the Holy Mother of God.

According to the tradition, wealthy Joachim was a descendant of King David, and Anna was the daughter of a priest. One day, when performing a service in the cathedral, the priest tells Joachim to stand in the end, as he had no son. Becoming upset, Joachim comes out of the Cathedral and immediately climbs up the mountains, vowing not to descend the mountain until the visit of God. Following his example, Anna, staying at home, devotes herself to prayer and repentance. And once, when Anna sees in the garden the birds playing with their nestlings, becomes sad and cries, as she wasn’t granted the grace of being a mother. Just at that moment the Angel of God visits Anna, telling her that God will be granting her a son who will be the mother of the Savior of the world. Joachim also has the same vision and becoming very happy, gives alms to the poor. The parents decide to devote the baby to the Church. The baby is named Mary, which means “Illuminated”.

The oil-bringing women are the witnesses of Christ’s torments. They are the first to give the good tidings of the Resurrection of our Lord. The Oil-Bringing women followed Christ during all the time of realizing His earthly mission. The church calls them “Oil-Bringing Women” as on Sunday, in the morning, they hurried to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus by the aromatic oils prepared by themselves.

Thanks to their devoutness they were first to see the Rosen God and told about it the Apostles. They were in the upstairs during Pentecost and together with the Apostles received the graces of the Holy Spirit.

The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the memory of St. Joachim and Anna together with the oil-Bringing Women.

When is celebrated

26.08.2008
25.08.2009
24.08.2010
23.08.2011
21.08.2012
27.08.2013
26.08.2014
25.08.2015
23.08.2016
22.08.2017
21.08.2018
27.08.2019
25.08.2020
24.08.2021
23.08.2022
22.08.2023
27.08.2024
26.08.2025
25.08.2026
24.08.2027
22.08.2028
21.08.2029
27.08.2030

Commemoration of the Prophet Jeremiah

Commemoration of the Prophet Jeremiah

 

Prophet Jeremiah is one of the four Major Prophets of the Old Testament. In comparison with other persons and saints of the Holy Bible, there is much more and rather trustworthy information about the Prophet Jeremiah.

The Prophet Jeremiah lived during the latter part of the seventh century and the first part of the sixth century B. C. He was the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests of the town Anathoth not far from Jerusalem. He lived and preached in Jerusalem. Feeling the calling to serve God he has devoutly served refusing to marry and have his own family. The people, being idolatrous and experiencing social difficulties and unfairness, could not understand his honest motives. As the result of such attitude the Prophet Jeremiah prophesizes the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of Temple. Witnessing his nation’s idolatry and sin, he continuously preaches equality and true faith in God, exhorts them to change the way they are living and to be fair in their treatment of one another, to stop taking advantage of aliens, orphans and widows, to stop killing innocent people in this land, to stop worshipping other gods, for that will destroy them (The Book of Jeremiah, 7: 1-6 compare with 5:25-28).

When is celebrated

28.08.2008
27.08.2009
26.08.2010
25.08.2011
23.08.2012
29.08.2013
28.08.2014
27.08.2015
25.08.2016
24.08.2017
23.08.2018
29.08.2019
27.08.2020
26.08.2021
25.08.2022
24.08.2023
29.08.2024
28.08.2025
27.08.2026
26.08.2027
24.08.2028
23.08.2029
29.08.2030

Commemoration of Sts. James and Simon Apostles

Commemoration of Sts. James and Simon Apostles

 

In order to differ St. James Apostle from James, the son of Zebedee, he is named “James son of Alphaeus” and “James Junior”. The Apostle James son of Alphaeus has preached the Gospel in the Southern parts of Palestine and in Egypt, where he has been martyred.

St. Simon the Patriot Apostle is famous as “Simon of Canaan”, which also means “Zealous”. There was a grouping with that name among the Jews, who without making distinctions between means struggled against the foreign Roman yoke and for eliminating the betraying and fond of foreigners Jews. St. Simon has preached and has been martyred in Persia.

When is celebrated

30.08.2008
29.08.2009
28.08.2010
27.08.2011
25.08.2012
31.08.2013
30.08.2014
29.08.2015
27.08.2016
02.09.2017
25.08.2018
31.08.2019
29.08.2020
28.08.2021
27.08.2022
02.09.2023
31.08.2024
30.08.2025
29.08.2026
28.08.2027
02.09.2028
25.08.2029
31.08.2030

Commemoration of St. Thomas

Commemoration of St. Thomas

 

St. Thomas Apostle (called the Twin) is known from the passage of the Gospel where the other Apostles state that they have seen Rosen Christ, whereas Thomas insists that he won’t believe unless he sees the scars of nails in His hands and puts his fingers on those scars and his hand in His side. A week later Jesus appears in the indoors to the untrusting Apostle. Thomas, believing the miracle, kneels down and says: “My Lord and my God!”  (The Gospel according to John 20: 24-29). When the remaining Apostles hesitate to go with Christ to visit dead Lazarus, as there was a great danger to be stoned, Thomas bravely says to his fellow disciples, “Let us all go along with the Teacher, so that we may die with him!”  (The Gospel according to John 11:16).

According to the tradition St. Thomas Apostle has preached the Word of God in Parthia and India, and has been martyred and buried in Madras.

When is celebrated

30.08.2008
29.08.2009
28.08.2010
27.08.2011
25.08.2012
31.08.2013
30.08.2014
29.08.2015
27.08.2016
26.08.2017
25.08.2018
31.08.2019
29.08.2020
28.08.2021
27.08.2022
26.08.2023
31.08.2024
30.08.2025
29.08.2026
28.08.2027
26.08.2028
25.08.2029
31.08.2030

Feast of the Discovery of St. Mary’s Box

Feast of the Discovery of St. Mary’s Box

 

According to tradition, while en route to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage, two Greek princes come across a chest that once belonged to St. Mary. In Galilee, they see a large crowd gathered in front of a Jewish woman’s house. They inquire and find that the sick are being healed due to the inexplicable power of the chest. The princes bring the box to Constantinople and present it to the Patriarch, who places it in the Church of St. Mary.  The Patriarch then establishes the Feast of the Discovery of St. Mary’s Box.

The Armenian Church celebrates this feast upon the order of the Catholicos Simeon from Yerevan, who accepted this tradition from the Greek Orthodox Church in the late 18th century.

When is celebrated

31.08.2008
30.08.2009
29.08.2010
28.08.2011
26.08.2012
01.09.2013
31.08.2014
30.08.2015
28.08.2016
27.08.2017
26.08.2018
01.09.2019
30.08.2020
29.08.2021
28.08.2022
27.09.2023
01.09.2024
31.08.2025
30.08.2026
29.08.2027
27.08.2028
26.08.2029
01.09.2030

Commemoration of Sts. Stepanos of Ulnia, Martyrs Goharine, Tsamides, Tyoukikos and Ratikos

Commemoration of Sts. Stepanos of Ulnia, Martyrs Goharine, Tsamides, Tyoukikos and Ratikos

 

St. Stepanos (Stephen) of Ulnia (Oulnia) was born in the town Kokison near the mountain Tyouros. Being a promised son, he has been brought up and educated under the care of the priest who had baptized him. He was educated according to the divine commandments and was familiar with the Holy Bible. It was said about the priest that “each Sunday together with the other Christians he communicated young Stepanos with the mystery of the Lord’s Body and Blood.”

During the persecutions realized by the King Julianos the Betrayer St. Stepanos has been subjected to severe torments and has been martyred together with his family and other Christians. Later a church has been built over his tomb.

Martyrology of St. Stepanos of Ulnia is the best example of Christian education.

Martyrs Goharine (Goharinus), Tsamides (Zamidus), Tyoukikos (Teuchuicus) and Ratikos (Ratigus), who are known by the name Goharine and his companions, were four brothers. Their father was an Armenian prince who being captivated together with his elder son – Aregh, had been released only after converting to the Moslem faith. However, Davit’s wife brings up and educates her sons in the spirit of Christianity. When they grow up and enter the Islamic Army of Sebastia, they courageously defend Christianity. When it is found out that their father is Moslem and that they have become Christians, they are handed over to the local authorities, but by the efforts of their elder brother are somehow released.

After a while they are handed over again and courageously announce about their being Christian. After threats and tortures they are finally beheaded in 1156 AD, thus displaying their willingness to be martyred for the sake of the truth. Meanwhile by means of their life they realized the following words of Our Lord Jesus Christ: “If anyone wants to come with me, he must forget himself, carry his cross, and follow me.” (The Gospel according to Mathew 16:24).

When is celebrated

01.09.2008
31.08.2009
30.08.2010
29.08.2011
27.08.2012
02.09.2013
01.09.2014
31.08.2015
29.08.2016
28.08.2017
27.08.2018
02.09.2019
31.08.2020
30.08.2021
29.08.2022
28.09.2023
02.09.2024
01.09.2025
31.08.2026
30.08.2027
28.08.2028
27.08.2029
02.09.2030

Commemoration of St. Gregory the Theologian

Commemoration of St. Gregory the Theologian

 

St. Gregory the Theologian has left rich literary heritage, which was translated into Armenian in the 5-8th centuries AD. In all probability St. Moses of Khoronk has made a part of translations into Armenian. St. Gregory the Theologian is one of the most prominent figures of Christianity, who by means of the struggle against Arians has kept Christianity uncorrupted and by means of his works he has greatly influenced the formulation of the Christian theologian ideology.

St. Gregory the Theologian was born in 328 AD in the village Ariangue near the town Naziangue, of Cappadocia. He was the son of the Bishop Gregory. Gregory studied in Caesaria, and then in Athens. In Athens Gregory became acquainted with St. Barsegh of Ceasaria - one of the prominent figures of Christianity in the future. After leading ascetic life for a while, Gregory returned to Naziangue, where he was ordained as a priest by his father. Later he became the Bishop of Sasima. Together with St. Barsegh of Ceasaria St. Gregory the theologian struggled against the Arians. He participated in the 2nd Ecumenical Council of Constantinople. St. Gregory passed away on January 25, 389 AD.

When is celebrated

02.08.2008
24.01.2009
31.07.2010
29.01.2011
28.01.2012
03.08.2013
01.02.2014
01.08.2015
30.07.2016
28.01.2017
28.07.2018
02.02.2019
01.02.2020
31.07.2021
29.01.2022
28.01.2023
03.08.2024
01.02.2025
01.08.2026
31.07.2027
29.01.2028
28.07.2029
02.02.2030

Commemoration of Martyrs Sts. Eugenios, Makarios, Valerios, Canditos and Akyoughas

Commemoration of Martyrs Sts. Eugenios, Makarios, Valerios, Canditos and Akyoughas

 

The quick spreading of Christianity especially on the territory of the Roman Empire since the 3rd century started to worry the kings. Royal charters were issued ordering the Christians to adopt the heathen religion, otherwise they should be persecuted to death. During that period of persecutions any Christians preferred to die than to Betray Jesus Christ.

The Church always appreciated the torments of the people for the sake of Christ, their courage and strength of their faith. Among such people are the martyrs Eugenios and Makarios, martyred during the reign of the King Julianos the Betrayer. Martyrs Valerios, Canditos and Akyoughas have been martyred during the reign of the Kings Dioclethianus and  Maximianus.

Commemorating the martyrs’ memory, the Church teaches the faithful to remain loyal to Christ even under most severe circumstances.

When is celebrated

04.08.2008
27.01.2009
05.08.2010
27.01.2011
26.01.2012
05.08.2013
27.01.2014
03.08.2015
04.08.2016
26.01.2017
02.08.2018
28.01.2019
27.01.2020
05.08.2021
27.01.2022
26.01.2023
05.08.2024
27.01.2025
03.08.2026
05.08.2027
27.01.2028
02.08.2029
28.01.2030

Commemoration of St. Vahan of Goghten

Commemoration of St. Vahan of Goghten

 

Vahan of Goghten was the son of Prince Khosrov, the Governor of the province of Goghten. In childhood, together with many other Armenian princes, he was captivated by the Arabs and was taken to Damask, where is circumcised and renamed Vahab.

Vahan was a very clever and skilled young man. Receiving proper education he undertook various responsibilities in the royal court. Despite the fact that he was brought up and educated in Arabic environment, Vahan knew about his ancestors. He hadn’t forgotten that he had been Christian and came from a noble family. In 719 AD The Armenian Pontiff Hovhannes of Odzoun paid a visit to the Governor of Damask, and upon his request the Governor allowed the captives to return to their homeland. Taking the opportunity Vahan also expressed wish to visit his homeland and was allowed on condition of returning. Reaching Armenia, Vahan became aware of the Governor’s death and took a decision to remain in his homeland. He married the daughter of the Prince Babken, the Governor of Syounik province, and lived there. However, the New Governor of Damask began the searches for Vahan. The latter concealing himself, wandered in his homeland, in Georgia, visited many churches and monasteries and finally stopped in the town Routsap, in Syria. Rejecting the governor’s suggestion to change his faith, he was martyred in 737 AD. On the day of the saint’s commemoration a special church hymn is sung, the author of which is his sister Khosrovidoukht.

When is celebrated

28.07.2008
26.01.2009
02.08.2010
25.01.2011
24.01.2012
30.07.2013
23.01.2014
22.01.2015
01.08.2016
24.01.2017
31.07.2018
22.01.2019
23.01.2020
02.08.2021
25.01.2022
24.01.2023
30.06.2024
23.01.2025
22.01.2026
29.07.2027
25.01.2028
31.07.2029
22.01.2030

Commemoration of the Virgin Eugine, her father - Philippus, her mother Klothia and her two servants

Commemoration of the Virgin Eugine, her father - Philippus, her mother Klothia and her two servants

 

Philippus was a Roman nobleman. Being appointed the Governor of Egypt, together with his family he moved to Alexandria. Eugine, the daughter of Philippus, upon his father advice began to study in Alexandria. During the studies she read the Apostle St. Paul’s epistles with great interest. Believing in Christ, Eugine and her two servants were baptized and became Christians. Then wearing man’s clothing, she entered a monastery and later became the Abbess. A young woman fell in love with Eugine and being refused by her, blamed her in an attempt to rape. Facing the judge, who was her father, Eugine was forced to reveal the truth and to identify herself. Her father and other relatives, listening from Eugine about the Savior, became Christians. Becoming aware of that reality, the Emperor ordered to kill Philippus. Their family moved to Rome, where they were beheaded because of being Christians. Eugine was beheaded on the day of the Holy Feast of Nativity and Theophany. Soon after that Eugine’s mother - Klothia, was martyred, too.

When is celebrated

31.07.2008
26.01.2009
03.08.2010
25.01.2011
24.01.2012
30.07.2013
23.01.2014
03.08.2015
01.08.2016
24.01.2017
31.07.2018
22.01.2019
23.01.2020
03.08.2021
25.01.2022
24.01.2023
30.06.2024
23.01.2025
03.08.2026
02.08.2027
25.01.2028
31.07.2029
22.01.2030

Commemoration of the Hermits St. Triphon, St. Parsam and St. Vonoprios

Commemoration of the Hermits St. Triphon, St. Parsam and St. Vonoprios

 

St. Triphon the Hermit was martyred in the town Nicaea during the reign of the king Dekos, the hermit St. Parsam the Hermit lived in the deserts of Syria in the middle of the fifth century, and the hermit St. Vonoprios the Hermit was born in Egypt in the fourth century. After living in the monastery for a while Vonoprios moved to the desert and lived there for 60 years without meeting anyone. Like many other hermits, Vonoprios healed many sick people. That is why people pray especially to that saint for healing children and in case of difficult confinement.

When is celebrated

29.07.2008
19.01.2009
18.01.2010
18.01.2011
17.01.2012
01.08.2013
18.01.2014
19.01.2015
02.08.2016
17.01.2017
18.01.2018
24.01.2019
18.01.2020
18.01.2021
18.01.2022
17.01.2023
01.08.2024
18.01.2025
19.01.2026
03.08.2027
18.01.2028
18.01.2029
24.01.2030