This week was 'Duruntez' also knows as 'Dyaruntarach'.
40 days after Christ was born, He was taken to the church on this day. Duruntez-Dyaruntarach is 'to go forward to meet Christ', an explanation given by the Armenian Church.
The way it's celebrated in Armenia has a zesty flavor to it.
Even when I was a kid, Armenians kept their Christmas tree decorated, and on Dyaruntarach took it out to street to burn. In later years this tradition died in Lebanon.
This week in Armenia couples joined hands and jumped over flames in their wedding costumes to get married in the church. A sight worth seeing.
Believers walked to church and lit candles and carried them all the way to their homes.
Once upon a time when we worshipped the fire we took our newborns, engaged and new weds to it for blessing and good fortune.
So, what conclusion should we draw?
That the Armenian Church is very wise?
That we are a strong people?
That we are struck in our old ways?
Or, all of the above:)