Living the Armenian Church Year

Click calendar or scroll below for readings, reflections & lessons for each Sunday of the season, along with Saints days & hymns to more fully live the Armenian Church sacred year

Jan-Feb

Աստուածայայտնութիւն

Theophany

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

Sundays of Theophany

Feb-March

Մեծ Պահք

Great Lent

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

Sundays of Great Lent

March-May

Յարութիւն

Easter

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

Sundays of Easter

May-July

Հոգեգալուստ

Pentecost

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

Sundays of Pentecost

July-August

Այլակերպութիւն

Transfig.

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

Sundays of Transfiguration

Aug-Sept

Վերափոխում

Assumption

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

Sundays of Assumption

Sept-Nov

Խաչվերաց

Exaltation

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

Sundays of Exaltation

Nov-Jan

Յիսնակ

Advent

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

Sundays of Advent

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

We give thanks to you, Lord, who have fed us at your table of immortal life; distributing your Body and your Blood for the salvation of the world and for life to our souls.

2) Listening/Singing

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

3) Worshiping

The Armenian calendar does not have a day of Thanksgiving as in America, but maybe that's because every Sunday is 'Thanksgiving Day' in the Armenian Church. Musical proof of this is this hymn "Kohanamk," which translates "We Give Thanks." At this point in worship, we have just received the precious gift of Jesus' body and blood, his very life which unites and strengthens his people. It is no coincidence that the original word for communion in Greek 'Eucharist" also means thanksgiving. For their is no greater gift in the world than God the Father's gift of his only begotten Son for the salvation of the world. As you probably know, there are different settings for the music of Divine Liturgy. Click below to hear the beautiful Gomidas version of "Kohanamk" sung by Hover Chamber Choir. Which do you like better, the Gomidas version or the regular Yekmalian version?

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.