Armenian and Caucasus studies at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

The Ascension Day (Hambartsum)

(religious holiday) Celebrated on 21 May
The Ascension day celebrates the love and enjoyment, and is realized 40 days after Easter, in May. In the past, the young the young ladies walked in the fields, sang songs, and meet young men on this day. The people thought of it as the night of miracle. Whole nature is stopping for a while, and who sees this magic will have his or her dreams fulfilled.

Christmas (Surb Tsnund)

(official and religious holiday) Celebrated on 6 January
This days is celebrated in Armenia as a major Christian religious holiday and they obligatory attend church services in their neighborhoods.
According to the tradition, the main dish is fish and rice prepared with butter and is served with wine.

The Constitution Day

(official holiday) Celebrated on 5 July
The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia was adopted on July 5 1995 through a national referendum.

The Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Earthquake in 1988

(official holiday) Celebrated on: 7 December
This devastating earthquake, which occurred in 1988 killed thousands of people and destroyed almost all the infrastructure of Armenia.

The Day of the First Republic

(official holiday) Celebrated on 28 May
On 28 May 1918, the Armenians restored what was left of historic Armenia after almost half a millennium of lost sovereignty.

Easter (Zatik)

(religious holiday) Celebrated on 12 April
Easter (Zatik) is the favourite and the most anticipated holiday in the Christian world as it is in Armenia. 40 days before Easter, the Armenians put some grains in a tin covered with cotton, and keep them in a light place until Easter when sprouts appear. These symbolises the spring and the awakening of nature. Until nowadays, Armenians have preserved the beautiful biblical ritual, referring to red eggs and cheorek (sweet bread).

The Genocide Victims Memorial Day

(official holiday) Observed on 24 April
Every year on April 24, Armenians all over the world solemnly honour the memory of over a million victims of the 1915 genocide. In Armenia there is a procession to Tsitsernakaberd to respect the memory of those who died in this attempt for extermination of the Armenian nation.

The Grape Blessing Day

(religious holiday) on 12 August
On August 15 (or nearest Saturday before it), the Catholicos blesses the harvest of grape.

The Holiday of St. Mary

(religious holiday) on 16 August
This holiday is devoted to St.Mary and is celebrated on a Sunday in the period between 12th and 18th of August.

Holy Cross (Khachverats)

(religious holiday) on 13 September
It is devoted to the Holy Cross (Surb Khach). It is used also as a memorial to those who have passed away.

Holy Translators Day (Targmanchats ton)

(religious holiday) on 13 October
It is dedicated to the creators of Armenian alphabet Mesrop Mashtots and Sahak Partev and to the Translators and Interpreters of the Bible.

The Independence Day

(official holiday) on 21 September
It memorises the restoration of the Republic of Armenia in 1991 after the Soviet rule.

The Motherhood and Beauty Day

(official holiday) on 7 April
It is the mother’s day.

New Year (Amanor)

(official holiday) on 1 January
New Year is celebrated a whole week starting with December 31.

Palm Sunday (Tsaghkazard)

(religious holiday) on 5 April
It is celebrated one week before Easter and marks Christ entry into Jerusalem as the messiah. The traditions include boys and girls dressed in their best clothes. Engaged men of each village uproot a young willow tree and decorate the branches with colored pieces of cloth, fruit and candles.

Purification (Trndez)

(religious holiday) on 14 February
This holiday is connected with the concept of coming forward to the Lord with fire, after 40 days of his birth. The main ceremony is a bonfire, symbolizing the coming of spring.

Saint Sargis

(religious holiday) on 7 February
It’s very popular among young people. It is celebrated 63 days before Easter, it is always on a Saturday between 18 of January and 23 of February. On the holiday eve the young people eat salty pies and are not given any water in order to encourage dreaming at night. It is believed that this saint decides their destiny and if they dream that someone gives them water, this someone will be their spouse.

The Transfiguration (Vardavar (The feast of water))

(religious holiday) on 19 July
It is the major summer holiday and is celebrated 14 weeks after Easter. In pre-Christian era it was associated with the pagan goddess Anahit, to whose heathen temple the young and the old went on pilgrimage. In Armenian Vardavar has two meanings - “the flaming of the rose and “to sprinkle with water. In our times, everybody pours water on one another in the early morning.