Tiarn’ndaraj: newly-weds in Armenia will jump over the fire

On February 14, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Lord’s
Presentation to the Temple. Tiarn’ndaraj, or Candlemas as it is known
in the West, symbolizes the presentation of the 40 day-old Christ
Child to the Temple in Jerusalem.

In the tradition of the Church, Evening Services (Nakhatonak) are
conducted on the night preceding the Feast Day. At the conclusion of
the service, the priest lights a candle from the Holy Altar, and
distributes the flame to all present. With great care, the faithful
take the lit candles home to their families.

This day newly-married and loving couples jump over the fire and
receive congratulations and blessing from relatives and friends. The
ceremony is followed by traditional songs and dances around the fire

Under the auspices of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Garegin II,
Tearnendarach has been announced the day of blessing the newly-weds.

Tomorrow Armenian Church will celebrate Feast of the Lord’s
Presentation. In accordance with the Law of Moses, the infant Christ
was brought to the Temple by Mary and Joseph and presented to God. A
man named Simeon was there, to whom it had been revealed that he
should not see death before he had seen the Lord. Simeon held the
infant in his arms, blessed God, and said, `Lord, let your servant now
depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your Salvation, which you have
prepared before the face of all people. A Light to lighten the
Gentiles, and the Glory of Your people, Israel.’ (Luke 2:29-32)

The morning of the Feast Day, Divine Liturgy is celebrated in Armenian
Churches throughout the world. The hymn offered during the Liturgy
commemorating Tiarn’ndaraj glorifies Simeon’s articulation of `a Light
to lighten the Gentiles’. The hymn praising Simeon also lauds the
Mystery of the Incarnation.

Many additional customs have been inherited from the past, including
the blessing of the four corners of the world in the Andastan Service,
the blessing of newlywed couples, as well as offering prayers for the
crops and fertility of the fields.