Why Halloween is not an Armenian holiday

Halloween follows the calendar of the Western Church. Armenia has its own.

Halloween comes from “All Hallows’ Eve”, the eve of All Saints’ Day. The Western Church celebrates All Saints on 1 November.

Since 301, Armenia has had its own Church. Its feast of all saints, Amenayn Serbots, has a variable date: late October or November.

The dead are honoured on Merelots, the day after the five major feasts: at the cemetery the priest blesses the graves and families burn incense there.

Did you know? Some Armenians do celebrate Halloween, especially young people: it is just not a feast of the Armenian Church.

Words to listen to

Romanization	Armenian	Meaning
Amenayn Serbots	Ամենայն Սրբոց	of all saints: the Armenian All Saints’ feast
Merelots	Մեռելոց	the day of the departed
khunk	խունկ	incense

Tap a row’s button to hear the word. Romanization and audio come from the app (Eastern Armenian).

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