ARCHBISHOP ANOUSHAVAN PRESIDES AS ST. SARKIS CELEBRATES EVE OF PRESENTATION FEAST

On Friday, February 13, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, presided over the eve of the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Temple at St. Sarkis (Douglaston, New York) with the participation of Salt and Light members, known in Armenian as “Dyarnentarach” («Տեառնընդառաջ»). Dyarnentarach is an ancient Armenian tradition that welcomes spring, symbolizes purification, and brings good fortune.

During the service, Greg Injoyan, Armen Megherian, David Mirzoyan, Maral Tateosian, Armen Fiesel, and Steven Miskaryan read passages from Scripture describing the blessing of Jesus followed by an explanation of the rite. After the readings, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor, reflected on the meaning of the day. The Prelate brought a lit candle from the altar, and the presents went to the courtyard, where the Dyarnentarach bonfire was lit with liturgical hymns and songs dedicated to Sts. Vartanantz. The ceremony came to an end with a closing message by Archbishop Anoushavan and the Lord’s Prayer.