While most of the world has packed away its Christmas decorations, Armenians are only getting to the main day. The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6, together with Theophany, the baptism of Christ. Here is how the holiday works and what goes on the table.
Why January 6
The Armenian Church, one of the oldest in the world, kept the ancient practice of marking the Nativity and the Baptism of Christ on the same day, January 6. Most other churches later moved Christmas to December 25. The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem follows the old Julian calendar, so there the feast falls on January 19.
For Armenians, the season runs from New Year's Eve into early January, and the greetings are often combined: "Happy New Year and Merry Christmas".
Khetum: Christmas Eve on January 5
Devout Armenians fast for a week before Christmas. On the evening of January 5 the family gathers for Khetum, a light Christmas Eve dinner that ends the fast. Candles are lit at home and in church.
Traditional Khetum dishes include:
- fish, often trout;
- rice pilaf with raisins;
- nevik, a dish of Swiss chard and chickpeas;
- dried fruit and nuts, and sharots, walnuts threaded and dipped in thickened grape juice;
- anoushabour, a sweet wheat pudding with dried apricots and nuts;
- red wine.
January 6: the blessing of water
On Christmas Day, after the morning liturgy, the church performs the blessing of water in memory of the Baptism of Christ. Families take the blessed water home. After church comes a richer festive meal.
The traditional greeting is «Քրիստոս ծնաւ եւ յայտնեցաւ» (Christ is born and revealed), and the reply is «Օրհնեալ է յայտնութիւնն Քրիստոսի» (Blessed is the revelation of Christ).
Armenian brandy on the holiday table
After the meal, Armenian brandy is often poured with coffee, dried fruit and sweets. It is also a common gift when visiting family over the holidays. TUFF XO is aged 20 years and TUFF Heritage 30 years in Caucasian oak, and each bottle is closed with a cap of volcanic tuff carved by hand, the stone of Armenia's churches. The TUFF collection
Questions and answers
When is Armenian Christmas?
On January 6. The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Nativity and the Baptism of Christ together on that day. In the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem it falls on January 19.
What do Armenians eat on Christmas Eve?
Khetum, a light dinner on January 5: fish, rice pilaf with raisins, greens with chickpeas, dried fruit, nuts and anoushabour, a sweet wheat pudding.
How do you say Merry Christmas in Armenian?
The traditional greeting is «Քրիստոս ծնաւ եւ յայտնեցաւ», "Christ is born and revealed". Many people also say «Շնորհավոր Ամանոր և Սուրբ Ծնունդ», "Happy New Year and Merry Christmas".
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