Tonight the Candle-Lighting Divine Liturgy is celebrated in all churches.
The eves of two of the Church’s five major feasts — Holy Christmas and Holy Easter — are called Candle-Lighting (Chragaluyts). The name “Chragaluyts” derives from the expression “chrag lutsanel,” meaning to light a lamp, to light a candle. The Armenian Church celebrates the evening Divine Liturgy twice a year — on the eves of Holy Christmas and Holy Easter.
According to Krikor Datevatsi, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated twice — on the evening of 5 January, the Candle-Lighting, and on the morning of 6 January, the Lord’s, because Christ’s Birth took place at midnight, while His Baptism took place at midday; accordingly, the Candle-Lighting Liturgy is in commemoration of Christ’s Birth, and the morning one, of His Baptism.
According to ecclesiastical tradition, the new day begins from the evening of the given day (from 18:00). For this reason, on the evenings preceding the major feasts of Holy Christmas and Holy Easter, during the Candle-Lighting Divine Liturgy, the Church proclaims the good tidings: “Christ was born and revealed Himself,” “Christ rose from the dead.”
On the eve of Holy Christmas, 5 January, the solemn Candle-Lighting ceremony is held in the Armenian Church. The temple’s chandeliers and lamps are lit according to a special rite.
After its conclusion, the eve of the following day’s feast is observed, marking the beginning of the commemoration of the Feast of Holy Christmas. It is the preparation for the Feast of Holy Christmas.
At the conclusion of the Candle-Lighting Liturgy, the faithful light a candle or lamp from the church’s lamps and carry it to their homes to illuminate them. It symbolises the Divine light, the Church’s blessing, the Star of Bethlehem. According to an ancient popular custom, on the evening of Candle-Lighting, people visit one another to convey the feast’s good tidings.
The evening of Candle-Lighting is also called khtum, the eve of the meal. It is preferable that the supper of that day be prepared from fish, dairy and vegetables, and without meat.
After the Candle-Lighting Divine Liturgy, the blessing of homes for Holy Christmas is also performed until 13 January.
