Christmas Eve in Armenia

Armenia, one of the oldest Christian nations, celebrates Christmas on January 6th, which means that Christmas Eve falls on January 5th. This is in line with the old Julian calendar, as the Armenian Apostolic Church did not adopt the Gregorian calendar reforms for its religious feasts.

History and Traditions

The Christmas season in Armenia is traditionally called "Navasard," which has pagan origins but was later Christianized. On Christmas Eve, or "Chragaluyts" (the lighting of the lamps), Armenians celebrate with various religious and familial customs:

1. Church Services: Many attend an evening church service where the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated. A special liturgy called "Jrakaluyts" is performed, where churches are illuminated by candles to symbolize Jesus Christ as the light of the world.

2. Home Decoration: Armenians often decorate their homes with Nativity scenes and Christmas trees (introduced more recently), although traditionally a centerpiece called "Dzmer Pap" (Christmas Elder), a decorated branch from a tree such as pine or fir, was used.

3. Fast Breaking: Leading up to Christmas Eve, many Armenians observe a fast known as "Hisnag", abstaining from meat and dairy. The fast is broken on January 5th with a feast that includes fish, rice cooked with raisins (a dish known as "khetum"), nuts, and wine.

4. Purification Rituals: Some Armenians engage in purification rituals such as lighting bonfires and jumping over them to burn away sins figuratively.

5. Charitable Acts: Acts of charity are also common during this time, echoing the spirit of giving associated with Christmas.

What People Do

On Christmas Eve:

• Families gather together for festive meals.
• People attend church services to participate in liturgies.
• Children often receive presents from family members.
• Special songs called "Gaghant Baba" are sung by carolers visiting homes in some regions.
• It's common for people to visit neighbors and exchange good wishes.

While Armenian Christmas traditions may differ somewhat from Western practices due to different dates and cultural influences, they share underlying themes of family unity, spirituality, joyous celebration, and reflection on the nativity story.