CELEBRATION AND FESTIVAL CULTURE IN ARMENIA | TERENDEZ
If you find yourself in February in Armenia, do not miss the opportunity to participate in the celebration of Terendez. Celebration which came to us from the depths of centuries, today symbolizes love, and at the heart of the holiday is the strengthening of family ties and prosperity.
Historical reference:
The official name Tyarnendarach “Տյառնընդառաջը” is explained by the fact that on the fortieth day from the birth of the Savior, his parents first time brought him to the Jerusalem temple. Here they were met by the elder Simon, a ripe old age man who was waiting for the coming of the Lord, hence the name of the holiday – Tyarnendarach i.e. before the Lord. Despite the diversity of the name, today in Armenia the folk form “Terendez” is more often used, and the church officially uses “Tyarndarach”. The holiday is celebrated annually on February 13th.
The folk holiday has ancient traditions and was originally associated with belief in the cleansing power of fire. A hundred years ago, in some villages, bonfires were lit only in the courtyard of the church, or in the courtyards of the village council and the church, in other places – in the courtyards of all houses, and in still others only in the courtyards of engaged girls and families with newlyweds. The fire was lit either by a priest, or this honor was given to newlyweds who got married in the same year.
If there were at least ten newlyweds in the village, then all of them had to participate in the fire-lighting ceremony, provided that each of them brought some gifts to the church. According to the rite, it was necessary to jump over the fire three or seven times. During the celebration participants sang songs, danced and made wishes.
In different cities and villages of Armenia, as well as in Western Armenia, the holiday was celebrated in different ways, for example, in Siirt, right after the church, women and men rushed to their gardens and fields and scattered the ashes from the fire there to ensure a good harvest.
In Mokk, at that same hour, they went to the graves with burning torches from the church – they carried the fire (light) of that fire to their dead.
Among the Karno Armenians of Javakhk, it was customary for the parents of an engaged girl send gifts to the groom on the evening of Terendez: sweets, honey, any gift (hat, belt, scarf).
In some places, people used this fire to burn a piece of their clothes, even a thread, to be sure that the snake will not bite them, they will be protected from the influence of the evil eye, or they will get rid of disease.
Terendez today
Currently, the celebration of Terendez traditionally continues in some regions of Armenia and beyond. Of course, over time, inevitable changes were made to it, certain rituals were forgotten or modified, new ones were added. According to ancient beliefs, the flame of a festive bonfire on this day gives energy to renewal and brings prosperity to life. To this day, the main attribute of the holiday remains a bonfire, through which, holding hands, couples in love jump, and if they manage not to disengage their hands during the jump, their love will be eternal, and the family will be strong.