In Armenia, Easter is called "Zatik". Presumably, this word comes from the word "azatutyun" - "freedom". Freedom from evil, death, suffering, coming through the Resurrection of Christ. Armenia has its own traditions of celebrating Easter, based on ancient apostolic traditions and folk customs.
When Easter is celebrated in Armenia
Easter in Armenia is celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar. During the early Christian period, there was much controversy about when to celebrate Easter. At the Ecumenical Council in Nicea, which took place in 325, the fathers of the Christian church decided: to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ on the Sunday following the first full moon following the vernal equinox.
According to this instruction, the Armenian Apostolic Church began to celebrate Easter from March 21 to April 26. Traditionally, Easter week begins on Palm Sunday. This holiday is called in Armenia Tsaghkazard - "decorated with flowers", and it is dedicated to children, in memory of the little ones who met Jesus Christ when he entered Jerusalem.
Home decoration
According to ancient traditions, before the beginning of Lent, the Armenians make straw dolls - the hostess of the kitchen, grandmother Utis and grandfather Paz. Grandfather Paz holds 49 threads in his hands, to each of which a pebble is tied. Every day, the inhabitants of the house untie one thread at a time, counting the days from the first day of Great Lent to Easter.
In addition to Utisa and Paz, the Armenians make another doll that symbolizes good luck and masculinity - Aklatis. It is placed in the house on the first day of Great Lent, and on the eve of Easter it is hung on an Easter tree. This tree is decorated, in addition to dolls, with embroidered Easter eggs. After Easter, Aklatis is taken by women and burned or thrown into the water.
Cuisine and traditions of celebration
Like other Christians, Armenians paint chicken eggs red for Easter. In addition to colored eggs, pilaf and other national dishes are served on the Easter table in Armenia: akhar, auik, kutap. Kutap are beans baked in dough, auik are white flour cakes. Ahar is a meat dish made from a rooster or lamb.
At five o'clock in the evening of Great Saturday, the Andastan rite takes place - the illumination of all four cardinal points. At the end of the ceremony, the celebration begins. On the night from Saturday to Sunday, Armenians go to church to attend the Easter service and consecrate traditional food at dawn.
It is customary in Armenia to celebrate Easter noisily and cheerfully. Rejoicing in the bright Resurrection, people drink a lot, eat, listen to music, sing songs and dance. While competing, they break colored eggs, take part in outdoor games, light bonfires, and arrange equestrian competitions. In a word, they do everything to glorify Christ and proclaim to the world about his Resurrection. On this day, people greet each other, uttering exclamations: "Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ!"
