On February 14 the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church celebrates Candlemas Day, or Diarnt’arach (Trndez).

It is a feast of purification, celebrated 40 days after the birth of Jesus. On February 13, at the Holy Echmiadzin Church in Tbilisi the Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the eve of the feast.

The Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan led clergy in taking fire from the lamp. Accompanied by the faithful they went to the yard of the church to light a traditional bonfire, which symbolizes the light of Christ.

The Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenian Garegin II, has declared this day as Day of Blessing of Newlyweds and Family, therefore appropriate church ceremonies take place in the Armenian Church. In the 46 Armenian churches of Georgia bonfires were lit and newlywed blessing ceremonies were held.

In the yard of the Holy Echmiadzin Church in Avlabar, Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan addressed  the newlyweds and wished their families peace and warmth.

Under drum and zurna accompaniment, the Godfather of the Cross for Holy Echmiadzin Church Erik Safaryan lit the bonfire, around which in honor of the great national holiday singing and dancing started.

After that gifts were given to the newlyweds and festivities took place. Beautiful fireworks completed the feast of Trndez in Holy Echmiadzin Church in Avlabar.

Bonfires were lit and the newlyweds blessed in Batumi, Ninotsminda and Akhaltsikhe. In Akhalkalaki, under the leadership of the Vicar General of the Head of the Armenian Diocese in Javakheti, Archimandrite Babgen Salbiyan, an evening liturgy was celebrated and a festive bonfire was lite. 

Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia