BLESSED IS THE REVELATION OF CHRIST!

In the Armenian tradition, Christmas is celebrated on January 6. Celebrations begin on the evening of January 5, when we gather at church for the Candlelight Divine Liturgy, known in Armenian as Jrakalooyts or, in classical transliteration, Jragalooyts (Ճրագալոյց). During the service, the faithful light candles symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem, which led the wise men to the manger where our Lord and Redeemer was born. The candles also recall the light Jesus brought to the world. Traditionally, the faithful take home a number of candles from the church equal to the number of family members and, in the past, shared a candlelit Christmas Eve dinner. It is customary to exchange greetings in Armenian, saying “Christ is born and revealed,” («Քրիստոս ծնաւ եւ յայտնեցաւ») to which the other person responds, “Blessed is the revelation of Christ” («Օրհնեալ է յայտնութիւնն Քրիստոսի»). May the candle of the glad tidings that we light to welcome the birth of Jesus burn brightly throughout 2026.