Today, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Khachverats

Today, on September 15, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Khachverats. Khachverats is the last of the five feasts of the Armenian Church.

It is the most important of the holidays dedicated to the Cross, because it is dedicated to the memory of the return and glorification of the cross from captivity.

In the Armenian Church, Khachverats is celebrated on the Sunday between September 11-17. The Holy Cross is celebrated in memory of the Lord's return to Jerusalem from the Persian captivity and the erection (removal) at Calvary. Hence the holiday is called Khachverats.

In folk tradition, Khachverats or "Serbkhech" is a joyful holiday symbolizing the beginning of autumn. On the eve of the holiday, on Saturday, women prepare pastries, men slaughter and prepare gorov. According to folk tradition, uli meat and semolina pilaf are the special foods of that day, without which the holiday cannot be complete.

Many places perceive Khachverats, "Serbkhech" as the beginning of autumn. As the people of Kesap used to say: "Cross, take the blanket, run inside" - that is, those who spend the night outdoors spend the night at home.

The day after the Cross is the Day of the Dead. On that day, St. A liturgy, a memorial service is performed, after which the graves of the deceased are visited.

The Armenian Apostolic Church has the following holidays dedicated to the Holy Cross. Apparition of the Holy Cross, Khachverats, Varaga St. Khachi, S. The invention of the cross. Three out of these four are celebrated in all Christian churches, and only the holiday of Varaga Holy Cross is purely Armenian and is celebrated only in our Church.