The Naming of Our Lord
About This Feast
On today’s feast of the naming of Jesus, we are reminded that something extraordinary happened when Jesus was named. Jesus’ name has great significance, it comes from Yeshua, or Joshua, and means 'God saves.' Yet even more amazing is that Jesus was named at all. When we name something or someone, we have power over them, to contain, control and shape them. This is why in Judaism, the name of God is not to be written or spoken. How could humans dare contain, control or shape God! Yet the season of Theophany reminds us of GOd's great love for us; that he would choose to become vulnerable and subject to human constraints. Ours God is awesome, but not distant, we know his face, his name, his love. With the naming of Jesus, God opens himself up to the abuse of humanity, but also to love us and be loved in return. In lowering himself to be named by men, he raises up all who believe in his name.
More About This Feast
In Summary
The Feast of the Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ, celebrated in the Armenian Church on January 13, commemorates both Christ’s naming and His circumcision on the eighth day after His birth (Luke 2:21). In obedience to the Law, Jesus fulfilled every requirement given to Israel, including circumcision. Yet the Armenian Church emphasizes His naming rather than the physical act, referring to the feast as the Naming of the Lord.
Before His birth, the Archangel Gabriel instructed both Mary and Joseph that the child was to be named Jesus, a name meaning “the Savior” or “He will save.” By accepting this divine command, Mary and Joseph demonstrated faithful obedience to God’s will. The feast reminds believers that Christ’s name reveals His mission: He came to save humanity from sin and bring reconciliation with God.
Thus, the Armenian Church celebrates not only an event in Christ’s infancy but also a profound theological truth: Jesus is the promised Savior, Emmanuel, “God with us,” whose saving work was revealed from the very beginning of His earthly life.
In Depth
THE NAMING OF JESUS (CIRCUMCISION)
(Tulpadootiun Krisdosi or Anvanagochootiun)
It was Christ’s wish that all the requirements of the law be met by him, and so he was circumcised on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). The Directorium (Donatzooytz) indicates the eighth day of Theophany as the Feast of Circumcision. However, no commemoration of it is found in the church’s chants or hymns. As though to avoid any mention of circumcision, all our calendars unanimously use the designation, Feast of the Naming of Christ.
During the celebration of the Feast of the Naming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we remember both the naming and the circumcision of Christ. The basis for this feast may be found in the first chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. In both Matthew 1:21 and in Luke 1:31 there is the story of the annunciation to Mary by the angel Gabriel. In the account recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, we read that the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream saying that the name of the child Mary bore was to be Jesus. Insofar as angels are messengers of God, Gabriel was in fact relating to Joseph that it was the will of God that Mary name her child Jesus. Similarly, in the account of the annunciation recorded in the Gospel of St. Luke, the angel tells Mary that the name of her child (a child which she had not yet conceived) was to be called Jesus.
The name Jesus is similar to both the Hebrew and Aramaic forms of “he will save.” This feast is in commemoration of Christ’s being named Jesus, which means “savior,” as commanded by the angel to Mary during the Annunciation (Luke 1:31). It took place on the eighth day, on the occasion of the circumcision (Luke 2:21), in keeping with Hebraic law and is commemorated by the church on January 13. In the Gospel, the name Emmanuel (which means “God with us”) also has been used (Matthew 1:23), in keeping with the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14.
Jesus was named either at the time of his birth (Matthew 1:25), or at the time of his circumcision (Luke 2:21). In either case, Mary and Joseph accepted the message which the angel brought to them to name the child Jesus. Mary and Joseph consented to the will of God. Interestingly, Jesus was not named Jesus Christ at the time of his birth. The word Christ means “the anointed one” or “the Messiah.” The word Christ is a title. Jesus, the Christ, then became known as Jesus Christ. The name Christ is also used by itself.
We celebrate the naming because his name is representative of his mission; that is Jesus was, and is, the Savior. Thus, in celebrating the naming of the Lord we are recognizing Jesus as our Savior.
-From Fr. Tavit Boyajian 'Living the Armenian Church Year,' 2011