Los Angeles Daily News
Jan 5 2005

Holiday tradition is kept alive

By Alex Dobuzinskis
Staff Writer

GLENDALE — In preserving the celebration of Armenian Christmas in
January, more than 60 youngsters visited the Armenian Relief
Society’s western headquarters in Glendale on Thursday to pick up a
bag of donated presents.
For many youngsters this was the second round of gift-opening this
holiday season. Ararak Apian, 12, said he finds it impossible to wait
until Jan. 6 — the day the Armenian church celebrates the birth of
Christ.

“I couldn’t wait to open them, so I just open them on (Dec.) 25th,”
said Ararak, who lives in Burbank.

Organizers hope the show of generosity will encourage
Armenian-American children to keep alive their cultural tradition.

“We remind them and we tell them that we have American Christmas, but
(they should) never forget that Armenian Christmas is Jan. 6,” said
Sona Zinzalian, director of social services for the Armenian Relief
Society.

Children sang the Armenian version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
as the red-clad gift-giver entered the room to distribute bags
containing dolls, toy cars, stuffed animals and musical instruments.

Christmas celebrations are spread over nearly three weeks for many
Armenian-American families, with a Christmas Eve dinner Dec. 24 and
another one Jan. 5. Vehans Mardian, 13, said he opens his gifts as
soon as he gets them, but that it is good to wait until Jan. 6.

“People should do that; it’s showing respect,” he said.

Other orthodox churches also celebrate the birth of Christ on Jan. 6,
said the Very Reverend Father Asbed Balian of the Armenian Church of
North America Western Diocese. A Christmas reception will be held at
the Burbank headquarters of the diocese Thursday.

Although Dec. 25 might not be celebrated in Armenia, Balian said it
is good that Armenian-Americans celebrate it.

“Nothing wrong in that. That’s what life is. It’s … to fit in, you
keep your identity but also you merge in with given local traditions
as well,” he said.

Armen Carapetian, 33, of Glendale came to the United States more than
20 years ago. In keeping with the tradition of other Armenians from
Iran, Carapetian and his family would exchange gifts Jan. 1 for the
first few years they were in America.

But now he opens presents Dec. 25, along with most of his friends.

“What happens I think over time is once you have kids and their
friends, typically non-Armenian friends, are getting gifts on the
25th, it’s hard to deny a child their right to a gift,” he said.

Glendale resident Ida Arutyunyan, however, said her family often
exchanges gifts Jan. 6. Arutyunyan, 20, said fish, a symbol of the
Christian faith, rice with raisins and a wrapped meat dish are
staples of the holiday meals at her home, along with rounds of
toasts.

Her family got more traditional over the years, especially after her
grandparents moved here a few years ago.

“Keeping it more traditional for the parents is getting important,
too, because they see how some kids are getting away from tradition,”
Arutyunyan said.

“As long as we have grandparents we’re traditionalists,” she added.