January 12, 2011 - 17:25 AMT
Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of Naming of our Lord on January 13

On January 13, Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of Naming of our Lord, marked by holy liturgies in Armenian churches, AAC Ararat Eparchy press service told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Each year, on January 13, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. As Evangelist St. Luke writes in his Gospel, according to the Jewish tradition “On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.” (Lk 2:21). “Jesus” is a Hebrew word meaning “Savior”.

Parallel to the name “Jesus” the name “Christ” is given to the Savior, which is a Greek word meaning “Consecrated” and corresponding to the Hebrew word “Messiah”. On the Feast of Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ a Divine Liturgy is celebrated in all Armenian Churches. On the eve of the feast, following the evening service a special service is conducted.