One of Armenian youth’s favorite holiday is the Day of Saint Sargis the Warrior, the patron of love. One of the reasons why it is the youth’s favorite holiday is because on the night of the holiday, young people eat salty bread and believe that they will see their future husband or wife in their dreams. They also believe that the cup of water that their future husband or wife gives them will quench their thirst after having eaten the salty bread.

The members of the “Hayordats Tun” Armenian Youth Center of Moscow also celebrated Saint Sargis Day. On Feb. 16, members of the Ovsanna and Norahrash Choir led by Lena Beglaryan performed beautiful songs for the gathered.

The people in the audience were mainly youth who remembered that the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church has declared Saint Sargis Day as the day of blessing of the youth under the direction of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II>

The concert was composed of three parts, including a capella performances, performances of folk songs and performances of pop songs that have already become classic. The event began with psalms devoted to Saint Sargis and was followed by the adaptations of Komitas’s music. In the second part, the audience had the chance to enjoy the performances by Meri Hovhannisyan and Lena Beglaryan, and the choir’s member Albert Amiragyan performed a jazz song for the audience.

The little singers of the choir also performed for the youth. Lena Beglaryan had directed a play based on Romanos Melikyan’s song “The Rose” with lyrics based on Gyote’s poemThe Rose. The play doesn’t end with a rose being picked, but a little boy turning into a leaf that will always protect the little rose.

Spiritual leader of “Hayordats Tun”, Priest Arakel Amiryan addressed the gathered and wished that Saint Sargis will be with all lovers. “The rounds of applause, the audience’s energy and motivation go to show that the concert was more than a success. You helped us enjoy listening to great songs. May God give you more strength to organize similar concerts for audiences,” said the priest.

In the end, the people in the audience demanded another concert and came to an agreement under the condition that Lena Beglaryan and the choir give another beautiful concert for everyone.

Armine Kareyan

Moscow