On February 14, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation to the Temple - Tiarn’ndaraj, it symbolizes the presentation of the 40 day-old Christ Child to the Temple in Jerusalem.

The Armenian Diocese in Georgia solemnly celebrated Tiarn’ndaraj (Feast of the Lord’s Presentation to the Temple). The Armenian-populated areas of the Diocese and Armenians of Tbilisi had prepared for the feast. The celebration started on February 13, 2018, Evening Services (Nakhatonak) were conducted on the night preceding the Feast Day in the Diocesan churches.

Under the leadership of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, and with the participation of the clergy, on the eve of the feast, the Evening Services were conducted at the Saint Gevorg Cathedral. Following the Evening Services (Nakhatonak), the Andastan ceremony was held - the blessing of the four corners of the world. Candles representing the symbol of the Light of Christ were lit from the Holy Altar.

By the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, one of the favorite feasts of the Armenian people - Tiarn’ndaraj was proclaimed as a day of blessing of newly married couples. The couples, who got married during the last year, were in attendance.

Following church services, the entire congregation headed towards the courtyard of the Saint Gevorg Cathedral. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan; offered welcoming remarks to the audience; and on the occasion of the feast conveyed the blessings and congratulatory remarks of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to the attendees. The Diocesan Primate exhorted the attendees to observe traditional and religious feasts, stay united around the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, preserve national and spiritual heritage.

The traditional Trndez fire was lighted in the church courtyard and the concert organized by the Cultural Department of the Diocese (Director Levon Chidilyan) began. Genrikh Petrosyan served as master of ceremonies. The Ani Dance Ensemble (Choreographer Angelina Nazarian-Kochian), the Vanq Dance Ensemble (Choreographer Liana Kashavanidze), singers Genrikh Petrosyan, Nina Karapetyan, Ruzanna Mikaelyants performed during the concert.

The Feast of the Lord’s Presentation to the Temple was solemnly celebrated in Tbilisi’s Saint Etchmiadzin Church. The traditional Trndez fire was lighted in the church courtyard and a beautiful concert was held. The Taron Dance Ensemble (Choreographer, Suren Abramyan), the dhol and duduk classes ( tutors Ivane Mkrtchyan and Robert Kashavanidze) of the Hayartun Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, singers Anna Badalyan, Ani Hovhannisyan, Aida Bazoyan performed at the concert.

Joyful song and dance performances in the Armenian churches, located in two neighborhoods, culminated in a spectacular fireworks display. At the initiative of the clergymen and with the help of the churches’ godfathers, Yuri Yeremyan and Karen Sargsyan, a reception was held.

The feast was celebrated with great enthusiasm in other churches of the Diocese.

Despite rainy weather, following the Evening Services (Nakhatonak) and a ceremony of blessing of newly married couples conducted by Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan in the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior) in Batumi, a beautiful concert featuring the Alexander Mantashyanc Center’s (of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia) creative groups (Director, Sona Hovhannisyan) was held by the traditional Trndez fire.

In the Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church in Akhalkalaki Evening Services (Nakhatonak) were conducted on the night preceding the Feast Day, the Andastan ceremony was held. The clergy, Rev. Father Yeghishe Harutyunyan and Rev. Father Tatev Marukyan conducted a ceremony of blessing of newly married couples. Following the ceremony, the church’s godfather Matevos Vardanyan, also a newlywed, granted gifts to the newlywed couples. Afterwards, the traditional Trndez fire was lighted and celebration to the sound of music from the zurna and the dhol drums was held.

Rev. Father Tatev Marukyan conducted a ceremony of blessing of newly married couples in the Holy Trinity Church in the village of Kulikam. The newlywed couples participated in the national celebration, received gifts from the church’s godfather and attended a reception.

Pastor of Diliska and nearby villages, Rev. Father Tigran Mkhitaryan conducted the church rites on the occasion of the feast in the Surb Hovhannes Karapet Church in Kartsakh village and the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Chamdura village. Following church services, a national celebration was held in the church courtyard. Despite the fact that there were no newly married couples in the village, it was a very festive day. The whole village had gathered in the church courtyard. The snowy weather did not hinder the celebrations.

Rev. Father Tigran Mkhitaryan blessed the newly married couples at the Surb Sion (Saint Zion) Church in Vachiani village and together with them attended the national celebration organized in the church courtyard.

Following church services, in the Holy Cross Church of Sulda village, Pastor of Diliska and nearby villages, Rev. Father Tigran Mkhitaryan conducted a ceremony of blessing of newly married couples, following which the church’s godfather Sasun Avetisyan granted gifts to the newlywed couples. Afterwards, the traditional Trndez fire was lighted in the church courtyard and national celebration took place. In attendance were the newlywed couples from the villages of Erinja and Khavet.

After a long-term pause and the church reopening Tiarn’ndaraj (Feast of the Lord’s Presentation to the Temple) was celebrated for the first time at the Surb Amenaprkich Church in the village of Lomaturtskh. Despite the fact that were no newly married couples, Rev. Father Tadeos Ter-Mkrtchyan, Pastor of Arakova village and nearby villages, following church services, invited the faithful to the church courtyard, where the traditional Trndez fire was lighted and a celebration was held.

The Evening Services (Nakhatonak) and a ceremony of blessing of newly married couples were conducted , the traditional Trndez fire was lighted in the villages of Ninotsminda. In the churches of Jigrashen, Mamzara, Satkha, Big Aragyal villages; led by Rev. Father Armash Poghosyan, in attendance for church services were thousands of faithful, mainly young people, who danced and jumped over fire to the sound of music from the zurna and the dhol drums, lit a candle from the Holy Altar.

The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church in Akhaltsikhe, the Surb Sion (Saint Zion) Church in Tsughrut village and the Srbots Hreshtakapetats (Holy Archangels) Church solemnly celebrated the feast.

Pastor of Akhaltsikhe and nearby regions, Rev. Father Torgom Vardanyan, toured the Armenian-populated villages, conducted a ceremony of blessing of newly married couples and the Andastan ceremony.

In the evening, the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church was crowded with faithful. Everyone gathered for Evening Services (Nakhatonak) and a ceremony of blessing of newly married couples. The church’s godfather had prepared gifts for the newlywed couples. Pastor of Armenians of Tsalka region, Rev. Father Ghevond Topashyan conducted Evening Services (Nakhatonak) on the occasion of the feast in the Armenian communities of the region. The traditional Trndez fire was lighted for the people. Father Ghevond spoke about the message of the day and the significance of ancestor’s traditions. Father Ghevond conducted a ceremony of blessing of newly married couples.

On February 14, the Holly Mass for the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation to the Temple (Tiarn’ndaraj) was celebrated in all the operating churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.