Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord

On Thursday, January 6, 2011, the Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The feast is referred to as Theophany because at Christ's baptism there was a divine manifestation of who Christ was -- the Son of God. ('Theophany' means 'divine manifestation'). This was revealed as the Holy Trinity appeared clearly to humankind. The Incarnate Son of God, physically present and manifested in the flesh, the voice of the Father from heaven affirming His Son, and the Holy Spirit descending upon the Son in the form of a dove.

"And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." - Matthew 3:16-17

Why do we celebrate Christ's birth on January 6th in the Armenian Orthodox Church?

In the West, during the 4th century, there was much controversy surrounding the pagan celebration of the sun, and the Christian celebration of the Son. According to most scholars, there was an effort on behalf of Christians to replace the pagan celebration of the sun on December 25th by changing the celebration of Christ's birth from January 6th to December 25th. As a result, Western Churches, as well as Eastern Orthodox Churches, now celebrate the "Epiphany/Theophany" of Christ on January 6th, and the "Nativity" of Christ on December 25th. (Note: Rome and N. Africa always celebrated Christmas on Dec. 25th, and never on Jan. 6th).

Armenia was not part of the Roman Empire, and thus did not have the same problem. They were not faced with competition of the prevailing paganism of the West, and so the Armenian Orthodox Church never had to cease from celebrating the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord on January 6th. Instead, they have maintained the one Feast of Theophany, which links Christ's birth and baptism.

Krisdos dzunav yev haydnetzav! Orhnyal eh haydnootiunun Krisdosee!
Christ is born and revealed! Blessed is the revelation of Christ!

To read more about this Feast, click here

Please enjoy the video below which explains more about the connection between Christ's birth and baptism, and the Feast of Theophany in the Armenian Orthodox Church...