Articles on Armenian faith and traditions
Welcome to the blog of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Ruse, a place for inspiration, reflection and spiritual connection. Here we share stories from the life of our community, accounts of church feasts, Armenian traditions, notable people, events and moments that leave a lasting mark. Each article is an invitation to a deeper understanding of the faith, culture and mission that unite us.
The School Across from the Church: 150 Years in One Place
At 37 Bratya Miladinovi Street, across from the Armenian church in Ruse, stood the Armenian school Surp Mesrob Mashtots. Its history - and why the year 1944 is wrong.
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The Holy Badarak in the Armenian Apostolic Church
The Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Church: the meaning of the Badarak, its two parts, the eucharistic canon and the symbolism of its rites.
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Tsaghkazard (Palm Sunday) – When Faith Blossoms
Tsaghkazard, Palm Sunday in the Armenian Apostolic Church: willow branches, the opened altar and Trnpatsek – the opening of the gates of Paradise.
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The Sundays of Great Lent
The eight Sundays of Great Lent in the Armenian Church – from Paregentan to the Resurrection – each with its Gospel reading and its spiritual meaning.
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Diarnuntarach – the Armenian Feast of the Presentation
Diarnuntarach, forty days after the Nativity: Christ in the Temple, the Andastan service, the bonfires and the light carried home from the church.
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Surp Vartanants – the Defence of Faith and Freedom
The battle of Avarayr in 451: Vartan Mamikonian, the 1,036 companions and the moral victory that preserved Armenian Christianity.
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The Holy Muron in the Armenian Apostolic Church
The Holy Muron, the sacred chrism of the Armenian Church: its forty ingredients, its biblical roots, its consecration at Etchmiadzin and its meaning as a sign of unity.
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Saint Sarkis – Surp Sarkis Zoravar
Saint Sarkis the Commander: soldier and martyr of the fourth century, patron of young people and lovers, and the legend of the white horse.
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Surp Hovhannes Garabed – Saint John the Forerunner
Saint John the Baptist in the Armenian tradition: his ascetic life beside the Jordan, his martyrdom under Herod, and his veneration as Surp Garabed.
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The Nativity and Theophany in the Armenian Apostolic Church
Why Armenians celebrate Christmas on 6 January: the Nativity and the Baptism of Christ together, Jrakalouyts, the Christmas Eve table and the feast of Dznunt.
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Surp Bedros and Surp Boghos in the Armenian Canon
Saints Peter and Paul in the Armenian tradition: the rock of the Church and the apostle to the nations, commemorated on the last Saturday of December.
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Surp Stepanos – the Protomartyr of the Christian Faith
Saint Stepanos, one of the seven deacons of the first Church and the first martyr for Christ – his witness, his martyrdom and his veneration among Armenians.
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Surp Hagop Mdzpna – Saint James of Nisibis
Saint James of Nisibis: fellow student of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, defender of his city, father of the Council of Nicaea and the first to ascend Ararat.
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The Atyan – Where Hearts Gather in Prayer
The Atyan, the nave of the Armenian church: its place, its symbolism and its role as the living heart of the community across the centuries.
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Surp Tarkmanchats – the Feast of the Holy Translators
The feast of the Holy Translators: Saint Mesrob Mashtots, the creation of the Armenian alphabet and the foundations of Armenian culture and letters.
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Khachverats – the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Khachverats, the Armenian feast of the Exaltation of the Cross: the finding by Saint Helena, its capture by Persia and its return by the Emperor Heraclius.
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The Assumption of the Holy Mother of God in Ruse
The patronal feast of the Armenian church in Ruse: the Assumption of the Mother of God, the blessing of the first grapes and the custom of Madagh.
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The Gavit of the Armenian Church in Ruse
The gavit, the narthex of the Armenian church in Ruse: its architecture under Ottoman rule, its religious and social role, and its place in the life of the community.
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Vartavar – the Transfiguration and the Feast of Water
Vartavar, the Armenian feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord: its ancient roots, the drenching with water and the blessing of the grapes.
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The Symbols of Faith in the Armenian Apostolic Church
The chalice, the paten, the Muron vessel, the cross, the censer and the kshots – the liturgical objects of the Armenian Church and the meaning behind each of them.
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How an Armenian Church Is Arranged
Gavit, Atyan, Tas, Khoran, Surp Seghan, Baharan and Vernadun – the parts of an Armenian church and the spiritual meaning behind each of them.
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