Friday 14 February 2014. On Thursday evening, a large number of parents with their children gathered at the to St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral to attend the evening service prior to the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. His Holiness Aram I presided over the ceremony and preached. After recounting the story of Jesus’ parents taking the 40 days old baby to the Temple according to the Jewish tradition, His Holiness spoke of the importance of traditions as one of the pillars of a nation’s heritage. The Catholicos then talked about the role of education in teaching the children their religious and cultural traditions; and concluded by emphasized the important role of the Armenian family in transmitting and safeguarding these traditions.

At the end of the service, the clergy, the seminarians and the congregation gathered around the traditional bonfire to celebrate the ancient church tradition of Dyarentarach by songs and poetry.