National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia | Official Web Site National Assembly of RA
Day: February 14, 2024
Armenians gathered on February 13 outside Saint Anna Church in Yerevan and Holy Mother of God Church in Garni to celebrate “Trndez,” a festival with ancient roots tied to Zoroastrian traditions venerating the sun and fire.
This occasion marks the onset of spring and fertility, carrying a tapestry of folk beliefs. For newlyweds, it holds particular significance as they leap over flames, believing that if touched, they will soon be blessed with children. It has been observed that the weather traditionally begins to warm after this day.
Trndez’s history is rich, tracing back to Zoroastrian and Pagan origins, predating Armenia’s conversion to Christianity in 301 A.D. Originally named “Derendez,” it was later christened “Dyarnuntarach,” meaning “bringing forward of the Lord.” The term “Trndez” itself carries the essence of “the Lord is with you.”
Commemorations typically include church services followed by the lighting of bonfires, symbolizing divine light and warmth and the advent of spring and fertility. Participants encircle these fires, jumping over them as a ritual. “Dyarnuntarach” is intricately linked with the purification feast of the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches, celebrated 40 days after the nativity. It commemorates the presentation of the Lord to the Temple by Mary and Joseph and the confirmation of Jesus’ revelation as God.
Author information
Anthony Pizzoferrato is an Italian American freelance photojournalist, documentarian and filmmaker based in Yerevan, Armenia. His work places emphasis on reporting and documenting conflicts, political events, complex social issues, human rights and cultural history within post-Soviet states and the Middle East while creating understanding, intimacy and empathy. His work on the war in Ukraine and protests in Yerevan has been published in Getty Reportage.
| Twitter |
The post Leaping over the flames on “Trndez” in Armenia appeared first on The Armenian Weekly.
Armenian Greco-Roman wrestler Artur Aleksanyan beat Russia’s Magomed Murtazaliyev in the finals to clinch the gold at the European Championships under way in Bucharest, Romania.
Aleksanyan made it to the final, defeating Belarusian Abubakar Khaslakhanav in the semi-final with a score of 5:1. The Armenian wrestler started the fight from the 1/8 finals, where he beat Beitula Kaisdagin of Turkey 9:1, and in the quarterfinals he won 8:3 over the representative of the Netherlands, Tyrone Stenkerburg.
Earlier, member of the Armenian national team, Malkhas Amoyan, was crowned European champion for the third time in his career, achieving a 7-0 advantage in the finals over the world bronze medalist, two-time European vice-champion, Turkish Yunus Basar.
The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Poland have called for a fair and sustainable peace in the South Caucasus.
“We call for a fair and sustainable peace in the South Caucasus and support the mediation efforts of the European Union and of the United States of America to facilitate dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Stéphane Séjourné, Annalena Baerbock and Radosław Sikorski said in a joint statement.
“We reiterate our support to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the states of the South Caucasus,” the Ministers said.
Categories