January 5th ~ Armenian Christmas

January 5th - 6th ~ Armenian Christmas Eve/Day

Unusually, Armenian celebrate their Holidays on January 6th, and their Christmas Eve is known as January 5th. In Jerusalem, the Armenian Christmas is actually celebrated on the 19th of January because the "old calendar" is off by 13 days, which is also why some Christians celebrate on the 7th. The Armenian liturgical calendar is the only one in which the Christmas holidays are celebrated on January 6th.
The Armenian Holiday Season. During New Year's Eve, people in Armenia would drink and eat in order to celebrate along with gift giving and, unusually, where they would say Santa Claus would make his rounds.

History

January 6th was the original Christmas holiday in Armenian and the Church of Rome decided to split this day, or holiday, into two different holidays. One is on December 25th, which is the celebration of Nativity. And then one is on January 6th, which is the celebration of the Magi and Baptism. As a fun fact, the time period between the two days is 12 days, as in the 12 days of Christmas.

New Year’s Traditions

In some regions of the country, several boys would make their rounds to several houses hanging a bag down the chimney and singing carols. And in exchange, or with hope, they will get sweets, money, fruit, or even nuts. It is said that, in Palu, they would also hang an apple and receive a gift in exchange.

In West Armenia, people would feast on New Year's Eve, however, you would have to fast for a total of seven days before Christmas on January 6th. New Year's Eve was the 2nd day of this fast which would require a Vegan Diet. In order to bypass this, people would place vegan food on the table along with some sweet soup. This soup is normally called Anoushabour. It can contain dried fruits, sugar, pomegranate seeds, and some nuts.

Christmas Traditions

In Armenian, they would burn sawdust, instead of wood. And with one Christmas tradition, they would bury a Watermelon in that dust, in order to keep it fresh. Then, come to New Year's Eve, they would eat it and enjoy it.
Other Armenian traditions include; cleaning the house in preparation for Christmas, lighting candles, praying, fasting, visiting the elders (and kissing their hands), feasting, caroling,
Some food that is eaten for this time may include oranges, leblebi, dried apricots, apples, walnuts, raisins, dried pears, lamb, or chicken, Ayva Abour (Quince Soup), grilled fish (usually its Palamut) with onions and roasted potatoes.

Summary

Country Celebrating: ARMENIAN
Celebrating activities: Cleaning the house, lighting candles, praying, fasting, visiting the elders (and kissing their hands), feasting, caroling
Foods eaten: oranges, leblebi, dried apricots, apples, walnuts, raisins, dried pears, lamb, or chicken, Ayva Abour (Quince Soup), grilled fish (usually its Palamut) with onions and roasted potatoes.


Subject to edits by the instructors