Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Assumption Day on August 16

August 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.
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