Living the Armenian Church Year

Scroll below for summaries, readings, reflections & lessons for upcoming Sundays & Saint's Days or click calendar to browse by season. May this enrich your Sundays as you live into the blessed rhythms of the year!

Theophany

(Jan-Feb)

Theophany Աստուածայայտնութիւն

A season of gifts; God's first gift of creation, then recreation by His Son-so that we'd know the love of the Father

Աստուածայայտնութեան

Great Lent

(Feb-March)

‘The soul grows not by addition but subtraction’ thus we repent & refocus our priorities on God & others

Մեծ Պահքի

Easter

(March-May)

As the buried seeds of Winter rise to new life in Spring, the self-giving love of Jesus raises us from sin & death unto new life

Յարութեան

Pentecost

(May-July)

Returning to his Father, Jesus sends his Spirit to dwell in the sacramental life of the church and the hearts of the faithful

Հոգեգալստեան

Transfiguration

(July-Aug)

Transfiguration Այլակերպում

Jesus is revealed as the light of the world, we are to reflect his transforming light, in worship and in our daily lives

Այլակերպութեան

Assumption

(Aug-Sept)

Assumption Աստուածայայտնութիւն

A season of gratitude to God for the gifts of the harvest and all life; offering our best to God in return

Վերափոխման

Exaltation

(Sept-Nov)

Exaltation Խաչվերաց

A season where we look up from the ways of the world, lifting the cross and God’s merciful love over all things

Սուրբ Խաչի

Advent

(Nov-Jan)

Advent Յիսնակ

As the season grows dark & still, we repent & ready ourselves for the light of the world

Յիսնակի

1) Meaning & Pronunciation

  • Read the English translation of the hymn below and discuss the meaning with your teacher/parent
  • Read the Armenian words of the hymn below. Practice pronunciation with your teacher/parent

In all things blessed are you, O Lord. We bless you, we praise you; We give thanks to you; We pray to you, O Lord our God.

2) Listening/Singing

  • Sing along with your teacher or at home, as you watch the words scroll before you

3) Worshiping

Armenian church worship is very sacred and often solemn, fitting the gravity of our repentance and salvation and the glory of God. Badarak is also supposed to be upbeat and joyful, and hymns like 'hamenaynee' convey such conviction and joy. 'Hamenaynee' is not only upbeat but also easily learnable and signable outside of liturgy. The videos below are a children's version of 'Hamenaynee', as well as a couple signing the hymn on a visit to Geghart monastery in Armenia.

4) Practice Games

  • Practice the Armenian vocabulary using the quizlet flashcards below.
  • Now choose other review games and tests by scrolling “Choose a Study Mode” on the bottom right.