In the early days of Christianity, the custom was to fast five days before baptism in order to be freed from the evils of the physical world before one's spiritual rebirth. Thus, St. Gregory the Illuminator ordered King Tiridates and others to fast for five days before their baptisms in honor of this tradition.

However, St. Gregory extended this fasting practice beyond baptism to an annual fast to purify the five human senses from impurities before Great Lent. For this reason, the Fast of Catechumens, which begins three weeks before Great Lent, is also called the "fast of salvation." In ancient times, people were not allowed to eat anything other than bread and salt during the Fast of Catechumens. On those days celebrating Divine Liturgy was also forbidden.

There are two explanations regarding the name of this feast. First, it is the precursor to Great Lent, and second, it is the first specifically Armenian fast-the Fast of Catechumens is particular to the Armenian Church.

At times, the Fast of Catechumens has erroneously been called the Fast of St. Sarkis because the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of St. Sarkis on the Saturday following the fast. In fact, in the Middle Ages, the Byzantine and Georgian Churches falsely accused the Armenian Church of sorcery for tying the Fast of Catechumens to the Feast of St. Sarkis. (According to the testimonies of Armenian medieval writers, the Greek and Catholic Churches also had the Fast of Catechumens in ancient times before abandoning it.)

It should also be noted that the fifth day of the Fast, Friday, is also the day of remembrance of the Prophet Jonah. However, Jonah's remembrance day is celebrated not as a feast but as a day of reflection in memory of the repentance and abstinence that Jonah preached.

This year that day coincides with the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple (always on February 14).

One of the holy traditions of the Armenian Church is the Home Blessing Service, which according to St. Gregory of Datev was established by Our Savior Jesus Christ, when after His Resurrection He entered the upper room and blessed the disciples. When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews,Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." (John. 20:19). During the apostolic times, the twelve apostles of Jesus visited the homes of the faithful to bless them and to spread the good news of Christ's birth and His Resurrection. Likewise their followers - priests and bishops, entered the homes ofthe faithful on the occasions of Theophany and Easter (Holy Resurrection) to tell the good news of our Lord's Nativity and to bless them and their homes through a special Service.

Through the Home Blessing Service, the house of the faithful becomes a small church. 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:2). During the Service the priest prays to God and asks Him to keep the home, its inhabitants, and the children in good health, so that they live a devout life, glorify the name of Almighty God and heighten the Holy Church.

Love and peace are established in the sanctified home. Therefore, it is desirable that the faithful devoutly keep the graces from heaven, which filled their homes. But if sinful behavior dominates in the house it can never become a church inhabited by the Holy Trinity, saints and angels.

According to the sacred traditions of the Armenian Church, God's blessing is asked for homes on different occasions, like on the Nativity and the Resurrection of Christ, as well as on the joyous occasion of moving into a new home.

Holiday season is the time when homes are blessed by the Pastor. All parishioners who wish to have their homes blessed on the occasion of the Feast of the Theophany and Nativity of Christ should call Der Hovhan (847) 644-7389 to make arrangements. Have a piece of bread, dish of salt and glass of water available for the blessing.

The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide with a powerful symposium that examines the United States' response to the genocide through the lens of the Near East Relief, the first non-governmental, non-sectarian, ecumenical effort of its kind. Panelists: Dr. Stephen Smith, USC Shoah Foundation; Dr. Peter Balakian, Colgate University; Shant Mardirossian, Near East Foundation; and Omer Ismail, Enough Project and Darfur genocide survivor.

Co-presented by Near East Relief Historical Society/Near East Foundation, in partnership with Armenian National Committee of Illinois.