Trndez in Armenia Date in the current year: February 13, 2024

Like many folk festivals that coincide with Christian feasts, Trndez is pagan in origin, but has merged with the feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple (in the Armenian Apostolic Church it is called the Coming of the Son of God into the Temple).

Traditionally, Candlemas is celebrated 40 days after Christmas. As the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas and Epiphany on the same day, January 6, the feast of Presentation in Armenia falls on February 14, and Trndez is celebrated the day before.

In ancient pre-Christian Armenia, the feast of Trndez was connected with fire and sun worship and symbolized the arrival of spring and fertility. On this day, bonfires were lit. Couples jumped over the fire to make their love stronger, and childless women did it hoping to get pregnant. Ashes from the fire were scattered across fields to guarantee good harvest.

Nowadays, bonfires are less common, but most Armenians light candles during an evening church service and bring them home. Sometimes, bonfires are lit in church courtyards using these candles. The ceremony of blessing the newlyweds often takes place after the liturgy.