Trndez

Trndez, also called Tyarnndarach, is one of the Armenian Church holidays celebrated on February 14, forty days after the Epiphany of Christ. The name of the holiday means "to meet the Lord." According to an ancient Jewish tradition, a boy was taken to the temple at forty days old to offer a sacrifice and receive a blessing. The Armenian Church linked this tradition to bringing the infant Jesus to the temple. The celebration of Trndez begins after the evening service, when a preliminary prayer and the Andastan ritual are performed to bless the four corners of the world. Then fires are lit with fire taken from the church, symbolizing the light of Christ. People sing and pray around these fires, and newlywed brides jump over the flames to purify themselves and wish for good fortune. Unmarried women burn the hems of their dresses, hoping for health and fertility. The holiday rituals also preserve ancient pre-Christian customs. Ashes from the fires are scattered over houses, barns, and fields to wish for a good harvest and prosperity. Young couples hold hands and jump over the fire, believing this will make their family strong and their love eternal. Traditional dishes are prepared for the holiday, such as ahandz, made of toasted wheat and ginger, considered a dish for newlyweds and lovers. Today, Trndez bonfires are lit less often, but young people light candles and walk through the streets. The meaning of the holiday is purification, the beginning of a new life, and family well-