"I Confess With Faith" Saint Nerses Shnorhali – the Gracious (1102 – 1173) "ՀԱՎԱՏՈՎ ԽՈՍՏՈՎԱՆԻՄ" Ս. ՆԵՐՍԵՍԻ ՇՆՈՐՀԱԼԻՈՅ

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Feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church

The Liturgical Calendar of the Armenian Apostolic Church

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Main Altar curtain of the Cathedral Church of Holy Echmiadzin, 17th century

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According to the liturgical calendar of the Armenian Apostolic Church, saints are commemorated on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and on Saturdays, except during the period of the Great Lent when saints are commemorated on Saturdays only, and during the Eastertide period when no saints feasts are commemorated. Thus, all feasts are celebrated on a different date each year, even though they may have a fixed date assigned to them according to the synaxarium.

The Easter date, which varies between March 22 and April 25, determines the dates of all other movable feasts. In specific cases, in the years when Easter is celebrated in March or in early April, feasts to be celebrated in mid or late February, are transfered later within the calendar year, and celebrated soon after the end of lenten-paschal cycle, as long as no saints feasts shall be celebrated during the Eastertide period.

In specific cases, such as St John the Baptist and St. Gregory the Illuminator, the Armenian Church celebrates their feast more than once within the calendar year, as long as more than one events related to their life are commemorated. This is due to the great respect and the vast importance that these saints bear for the Armenian Church.

It is also notable that apart from the Nativity of Jesus (January 6) and the Birth of Virgin Mary (September 8), the Armenian Church celebrates also the birth of St John the Baptist (observed on the Saturday closest to January 14). As a rule, the Armenian Church does not celebrate the birth of the saints. The rebirth of the saints through their martyrdom is celebrated instead.

It is notable also the importance of the feast of St Stephen the Protomartyr (closest feast day to December 27). Being the very first martyr of the Church (Protomartyr) St Stephen is being commemorated in the Armenian divine liturgy right after the St John the Baptist, and right before St Gregory the Illuminator – the founder of the Armenian Church.

Below, are presented most of the major feasts of saints as per the calendar of the Armenian Church. Their celebration is based on the Armenian liturgical calendar, and in accordance with the synaxarium of saints. The Easter date determines the dates of all other movable feasts. Saints who were sanctified and introduced in the Church calendar before the 5th century are recognized and celebrated unanimously by the Church. For those Saints who were introduced in the Armenian Church calendar after the 5th century, differences are observed between the calendar of the Armenian Apostolic Church and calendars of other Christian Churches.

In April 24, as a fixed date, the Armenian Church commemorates the memory of the Holy Martyrs of Armenian Genocide of 1915.

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The Baptism of our Lord by St. John the Forerunner

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St. John the Baptist and Forerunner

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»   Birth of St. John the Baptist  (Saturday closest to January 14)

»   Beheading of St. John the Baptist  (Saturday before the New Sunday)

»   Discovery of the relics of St. John the Baptist  (following the 1st Sunday of Pentecost)

»   Discovery of the relics of St. John the Baptist  (before the Eve of the Exaltation of Holy Cross)

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The Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel

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The Holy Archangels

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»   The Holy Archangels Gabriel and Michael and all the Heavenly Hosts. The feast of the Holy Archangels is celebrated the Saturday before the 9th Sunday of Exaltation of the Holy Cross

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The Four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

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The Holy Apostles and Evangelists

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Pentecost period

»   St. Constantine the King and his mother St. Helen – the Equals to Apostles  (following the 3rd Sunday of Pentecost)

»   The 12 Holy Apostles of Christ, and St. Paul the 13th Apostle  (Saturday before the 6th Sunday of Pentecost)

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Transfiguration period

»   The Holy Apostle Thaddeus (Jude)  (Saturday before the 2nd Sunday of Transfiguration)

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Assumption period

»   The Holy Apostle Thomas  (Saturday before the 2nd Sunday of Assumption)

»   The Holy Apostles James and Simon  (Saturday before the 3nd Sunday of Assumption)

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Exaltation period

»   The 72 Holy Disciples of Christ  (Saturday before the 4th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   The Holy Apostles Ananias, Matthias, Barnabas, Philip, John, Silas and Silvanus  (following the 5th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   The Holy Apostles Timothy & Titus  (following the 5th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   The Holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John  (Saturday before the 6th Sunday of Exaltation)

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Advent period

»   The Holy Apostles Andrew and Philip  (prior to the Eve of the Fast of Advent)

»   The disciples of St. Paul: Tarachus, Robus, Andronicus, Onesimus and others  (following the 1st Sunday of Advent)

»   The Holy Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew, the first illuminators of Armenia  (Saturday before the 2nd Sunday of Advent)

»   The Holy Apostles Peter and Paul  (following the 5th Sunday of Advent)

»   The Holy Apostle James and John the Evangelist  (following the 5th Sunday of Advent)

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Saint Gregory the Illuminator

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St. Gregory the Illuminator

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Lent period

»   Sons and grandsons of St. Gregory Illuminator: Arisdages, Vrtanes, Hoosig, Krikoris, and Taniel   (prior to the Eve of the Fast of the Catechumens – in case of a late Easter)

»   St. Gregory the Illuminator – His Passion and Descent into the Pit  (Saturday before the 6th Sunday of Great Lent)

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Pentecost period

»   St. Gregory the Illuminator – Deliverance from the Pit  (Saturday before the 2nd Sunday of Pentecost)

»   Discovery of the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator  (Saturday before the 4th Sunday of Pentecost)

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Transfiguration period

»   Sons and grandsons of St. Gregory Illuminator: Arisdages, Vrtanes, Hoosig, Krikoris, and Taniel   (prior to the 3rd Sunday of Transfiguration – in case of an early Easter)

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St. Stephen the Protomartyr

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The Holy Martyrs

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Nativity period

»   St. Theodosius and the Children of Ephesus  (prior to the 2nd Sunday after Nativity)

»   St. Giragos and his mother St. Julita   (following the 2nd Sunday after Nativity)

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Lent period

»   St. Theodore the Warriors  (Saturday before 2nd Sunday of Lent)

»   The Forty Martyrs of Sebastia “Karasoon Manoog”  (Saturday after the Median Day of Great Lent)

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Pentecost period

»   The Holy Children of Bethlehem  (following the 2nd Sunday of Pentecost)

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Assumption period

»   Sts. Adrian and Natalia, and the martyrs Sts. Theordorus and Eleutherius  (following the 4th Sunday of Assumption)

»   Sts. Abraham and Khoren, Cosmas and Damian, and Theodore the Martyr  (following the 4th Sunday of Assumption)

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Exaltation period

»   Sts. Mamas and Philomenos  (following the 2nd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   St. George (Gevorg) the Warrior  (prior to the 3rd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   Sts. Eustathius, Theophistias and their two sons  (following the 3rd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   Sts. Pantaleon the Physician, and Hermolaus the Priest  (prior to the 5rd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   St. Menas the Egyptian, the Wonderworker  (following the 9th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   St. Demetrius the Martyr  (following the 9th Sunday of Exaltation)

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Advent period

»   Sts. Cornelius the Centurion, Simeon the Relative of Christ  (following the 3rd Sunday of Advent)

»   St. Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna  (following the 3rd Sunday of Advent)

»   Sts. Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugenius, Orestes and Martyrius  (following the 3rd Sunday of Advent)

»   St. Stephen the Proto-Deacon and the First Martyr  (following the 5th Sunday of Advent)

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Saint Hripsime

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The Holy Virgins

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Nativity period

»   St. Sophia and her daughters Pistis, Elpis, Agape  (following the 3rd Sunday of Nativity – in case of a late Easter)

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Pentecost period

»   St. Hripsimiank & St. Kayaniank  (following the 1st Sunday of Pentecost)

»   St. Nooneh and Maneh the Virgins  (following the 2nd Sunday of Pentecost)

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Transfiguration period

»   St. Santookhd the virgin  (prior to the 2nd Sunday of Transfiguration)

»   Sts. Justinia, Euphemia, and Christina the virgins  (following the 2nd Sunday of Transfiguration)

»   St. Sophia and her daughters Pistis, Elpis, Agape  (prior to the 4th Sunday of Transfiguration – in case of an early Easter)

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Exaltation period

»   Holy Virgins Febronia and Marina  (following the 2nd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   Holy Virgin Shooshan, the daughter of St. Vartan  (following the 2nd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   The Holy Virgins Catherine and Iermonia  (following the 3rd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   Sts. Thekla, Barbara, and Pelagia  (following the 4th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   St. Eupraxia the Virgin  (prior to the 5rd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   Sts. Martha and Mary Magdalene  (following the 6th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   St. Veronica  (following the 6th Sunday of Exaltation)

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Advent period

»   The Holy Virgins Juliana and Basilla  (following the 1st Sunday of Advent)

»   The Holy Virgins Indus and Domna  (following the 4th Sunday of Advent)

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St. Gregory the Illuminator preaching to King Trdat

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Saints of Armenia

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Nativity period

»   Catholicos St. Sahag Parthev  (prior to the 5th Sunday after Nativity)

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Lent period

»   St. Sarkis the Warrior his son Martiros and his 14 Soldiers  (Saturday after Eve of the Fast of the Catechumens)

»   St. Ghevond the priest  (prior to “Poon Paregentan” Eve of Great Lent)

»   Vartanank – St. Vartan Mamikonyan and his 1036 companions 451 A.D.  (prior to “Poon Paregentan” Eve of Great Lent)

»   Sts. John of Otsoon (Hovnan Otsnetsi), John of Vorodn (Hovnan Vorodnetsi), and Gregory of Datev (Krikor Datevatsi)  (following the 3nd Sunday of Lent)

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Pentecost period

»   St. Hripsimiank & St. Kayaniank  (following the 1st Sunday of Pentecost)

»   St. Nooneh and Maneh the Virgins  (following the 2nd Sunday of Pentecost)

»   Sts. Nerses I the Great, and Bishop Khad  (prior to the 3rd Sunday of Pentecost)

»   Holy Translators St. Sahag and St. Mesrop Mashtots  (Saturday before the 5th Sunday of Pentecost)

»   Sts. Tiridates (Drtad) the King, Queen Ashkhen, and their daughter Khosrovitookhd  (prior to the 5th Sunday of Pentecost)

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Transfiguration period

»   St. Santookhd the virgin  (prior to the 2nd Sunday of Transfiguration)

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Exaltation period

»   Holy Virgin Shooshan, the daughter of St. Vartan  (following the 2nd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   St. David of Tvin  (following the 3rd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   Sts. Sahag and Hamazasb the Princes  (following the 3rd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   The Holy Translators: Mesrop, Yeghishe, Movses the Poet, Tavit the Philosopher  (prior to the 5rd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   St. Gregory of Nareg and St. Nerses Shnorhali  (prior to the 5rd Sunday of Exaltation)

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Advent period

»   King Abgar V of Edessa, the Witness  (following the 2nd Sunday of Advent)

»   St. James of Nisibis (Hagop Medzpnatsi), and Melitus the bishop  (prior to the 4th Sunday of Advent)

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St. Simeon Stylites the Elder

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The Desert Fathers, Hermits, and Monks

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Nativity period

»   St. Anthon, Triphon, Barsauma and Onouphrius  (following the 1st Sunday after Nativity)

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Exaltation period

»   St. Simeon Stylites the Elder  (following the 2nd Sunday of Exaltation)

»   The Holy Fathers Barlaam, Anthimus and Irenaeus  (prior to the 3rd Sunday of Exaltation)

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Advent period

»   The Holy Fathers of Egypt, and St. Saba  (following the 2nd Sunday of Advent)

»   St. Marouke the hermit  (prior to the 4th Sunday of Advent)

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The Holy Fathers of the Church

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The Fathers of the Church

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Nativity period

»   Holy Fathers Athanasius and Cyril of Alexandria  (prior to the 2rd Sunday after Nativity)

»   St Gregory the Theologian  (prior to the 3rd Sunday after Nativity)

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Lent period

»   The 150 Fathers of the Holy Council of Constantinople 381 A.D.  (Saturday before “Poon Paregentan” Eve of Great Lent)

»   St. Cyril of Jerusalem  (following the 2nd Sunday of Lent)

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Pentecost period

»   Sts. Epiphanius Bishop of Cyprus, Babylas the Patriarch and his three disciples  (following the 3rd Sunday of Pentecost)

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Assumption period

»   The 200 Fathers of the Holy Council of Ephesus 431 A.D.  (Saturday before the Eve of the fast of Assumption)

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Exaltation period

»   The 318 Fathers of the Holy Council of Nicea 325 A.D.  (Eve of the Fast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)

»   Sts. Phocas the Patriarch, and Irenaeus of Lyons  (following the 4th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   St. Dionysius the Areopagite  (following the 5th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   The Holy Teachers & Doctors of the Church: Hierotheus of Athens, Dionysius the Areopagite, Sylvester of Rome, Athanasius of Alexandria, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ephraim the Syrian, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa,  Gregory the Theologian, Epiphanius of Cyprus, John Chrysostom, and Cyril of Alexandria  (Saturday before the 7th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   St. John Chrysostom “Vosgeperan”  (following the 7th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   Sts. Metrophanes and Alexander, Patriarchs of Constantinople  (following the 8th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   Sts. Meletius Bishop of Antioch, and Meletius Bishop of Persia, Buras the Priest and Sennen the Deacon  (following the 9th Sunday of Exaltation)

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Advent period

»   St. Nicholas of Myron, the Wonderworker  (prior to the 1st Sunday of Advent)

»   St. Clement Bishop of Rome  (following the 1st Sunday of Advent)

»   St. Ignatius of Antiochia  (following the 4th Sunday of Advent)

»   Sts. Basil the Patriarch, Gregory of Nyssa, Silvester Patriarch of Rome, and Ephraim of Syria  (prior to the 5th Sunday of Advent)

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St. George the Martyr

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St. Sargis the General

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All Saints of the Church

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Assumption period

»   Sts. Joachim and Anna parents of the Holy Mother of God  (following the 1st Sunday after Assumption)

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Exaltation period

»   Sts. Joseph, Simeon the Just, Nicodemus, Longinus the centurion, Joseph of Arimathea, and Lazarus the friend of Jesus  (following the 6th Sunday of Exaltation)

»   All Saints – old and new, known and unknown  (Saturday before the 8th Sunday of Exaltation)

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David the prophet praying

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Prophets & Righteous of the Old Testament

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Nativity period

»   The Holy Maccabees, Eleazar the priest, Shamooneh and her seven sons   (prior to the 3rd Sunday of Nativity – in case of a late Easter)

»   The 12 Holy Prophets of the Old Testament: Hosea, Amos, Micah, Joel, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Jonah, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi   (prior to the 3rd Sunday of Nativity – in case of a late Easter)

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Lent period

»   Prophet Jonah  (prior to the Eve of the Fast of the Catechumens)

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Pentecost period

»   Prophet Elijah  (prior to the 1st Sunday of Pentecost)

»   Daniel the prophet and the three young men: Shadrach (Setrak), Meshach (Misak) and Abednego (Apetnakov)’  (following the 4th Sunday of Pentecost)

»   Prophet Zechariah & Prophet Elisha  (following the 5th Sunday of Pentecost)

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Transfiguration period

»   Prophet Isaiah  (following the Feast of Transfiguration)

»   The Holy Forefathers of the Old Testament: Adam, Abel, Seth, Enosh, Enoch, Noah, Melchizedek, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses,  (prior to the 3rd Sunday of Transfiguration)

»   The Holy Maccabees, Eleazar the priest, Shamooneh and her seven sons   (following the 3rd Sunday of Transfiguration – in case of an early Easter)

»   The 12 Holy Prophets of the Old Testament: Hosea, Amos, Micah, Joel, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Jonah, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi   (following the 3rd Sunday of Transfiguration – in case of an early Easter)

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Assumption period

»   Prophet Jeremiah  (following the 1st Sunday after Assumption)

»   The Holy Prophets Ezekiel, Ezra, and Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist  (following the 2nd Sunday of Assumption)

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Exaltation period

»   Job the Righteous  (Eve of the Fast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)

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Advent period

»   David the Prophet – King  (following the 5th Sunday of Advent)

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The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist, detail from handmade artwork, 1795, Ghessaria (Kayseri), St. John the Forerunner (Sourp Garabed) church

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