Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Assumption Day on August 16August 14, 2009 - 14:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "Virgin Assumption Day is a modified form of pre-Christian holiday of Navasard," ethnographer Hranush Kharatyan told today a news conference.Christian world celebrates Assumption Day on August 15, but Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the holiday on the Sunday following sacrifice and pilgrimage to the holy sites devoted to Virgin Mary. "Dominating tradition in pre-Christian and Christian Armenia was bloodless sacrifice, i.e. vine offering. Puritan society in that period encouraged dances and merry making," Kharatyan added. In pre-Christian period, Navasard celebration was dedicated to motherhood and fertility Goddess Anahit who was praised for harvest. As a result, Virgin Assumption Day inherited some of the traditions of praising Anahit when people in pray-houses addressed praises Virgin Mary, pronouncing tender epithets. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |