Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in Armenian Church

In the tradition of the Armenian Church, Evening Services (Nakhatonak) are conducted on the night preceding the Feast Day. At the conclusion of the service, the priest lights a candle from the Holy Altar, and distributes the flame to all present. With great care, the faithful take the lit candles home to their families.

On this day, newly-married and loving couples jump over the fire and receive congratulations and blessing from relatives and friends. The ceremony is followed by traditional songs and dances around the fire. The jumping is not a religious event, but a folk tradition.