January 13, 2010 - 14:30 AMT
AAC celebrates Feast of Naming of Jesus Jan. 13
The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus on January 13.
The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is observed anywhere from the first to the eighth of January, observing the naming of Jesus Christ on the eighth day of his life. It is a time to honor the revelation of Jesus' name by dream to Saint Joseph, and likewise the revelation of the same to Mary by the Archangel Gabriel at the Annuciation.
The Feast of the Holy Name originated toward the end of the 15th century, celebrated between New Year's Day and Epiphany. In its older incarnations, the Feast was a celebration of Christ's naming and circumcision (Luke 2:15-21), and thus a memoriam of the first shedding of the Lord's blood. In its modern form, it is considered to be the central feast of all the mysteries of Jesus Christ.
On the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus a divine liturgy is served in all Armenian Churches.