Like all Armenian churches, the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Odessa also celebrated the interesting Christian tradition that has been passed down from one generation to the next, that is, the day of offering of 40-day old Baby Jesus to the temple (Tyarndarach).

The ritual began on February 13 with an evening liturgy, after which pastor of the Armenians of Odessa, Priest Abgar Gilijyan delivered a sermon that was taken from the Lord’s Prayer and was devoted to the symbol of the day.

-The Tyarndarach holiday is a pontifical holiday since it is a revelation of Theophany. Today is a day of opening our hearts, not asking for anything. Just like the Son of God bowed and came to us for our salvation, it is also our duty to move towards Him, Our Savior with an open heart like that of Simeon and Anna…

-So, let’s live truthfully by fulfilling His Commandments.

In our days, there is a tradition that has been added to the ancient traditions of Tyarndarach holiday, and that is the following: under the high direction of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Tyarndarach Day has also been declared as a day of blessing of newlyweds. Newlyweds who come to the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church will also receive their blessing. The ceremony ended with the following reassuring words of the priest: “I am certain that you have made the right choice and are starting your families by God’s will. May your families be strong and unwavering and hinged on love and loyalty! With the blessing of God and with the example of the Holy Virgin, may you also bring children to the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in your hands!”

Afterwards, under the leadership of His Holiness and to the sounds of the spiritual psalms, the servants, who were dressed in festive clothes, came out to the churchyard where a blessing of the four corners of the world (Andastan) was performed.

According to Grigor Tatevatsi, Tyarndarach holiday is also a celebration of light. “Just like the people moved towards the Savior with torches and lanterns when the Lord was being offered to the temple, we also follow the example, light a fire or torch and celebrate the coming of the Lord.”

Therefore, with the light taken from the lantern of the holy cathedral, the traditional bonfire was lit in the yard near the cathedral as a symbol of the light of Christ.

The attendees performed a joyful dance around a bonfire with the belief that Christian rituals and holidays are held according to national traditions, and each of them is like a beautiful décor with precious stones…

The pastor also blessed the festive table set in the churchyard, and the baskets and platters were full of dishes symbolizing the holiday.

According to an ancient tradition, the attendees were treated to roasted grains of wheat (aghandz) made with honey and water and to traditional gatas that were served in the form of delicately designed gifts. At the initiative of head of the cultural center of the local Armenian community Anna Gevorgyan, the reception was hosted by the community’s women’s union and the young mothers’ council. It was the expression of love of exemplary Armenian mothers and grandmothers. Young people received wheat grains as a symbol of welfare, fertility and abundance. The attendees also wished that they give birth to children and wished them all the best. What stood out on the table was the pile of wheat grains that embodied the symbol of the day.

All this was wonderful, appealing, symbolic, Armenian and Christian.

The symbol of the church ritual had truly helped consolidate the people at the festive event held in one of the beautiful sites in Odessa, that is, the yard of the Armenian church located at the peak of Gagarin. The event lasted until late at night.

Narine Muradyan

Odessa

Source: Hayern Aysor