Today at the European University of Armenia, one of the most beloved holidays of the Armenian people, Trndez or Tyarndarach, was celebrated. Every year on February 14, 40 days after Christmas Day, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the feast of offering the forty-day-old baby Jesus to the temple, Tyarndarach. Armenian people have been celebrating the holiday known as Trndez, Tyarnndarach, Tandarej, Tndalesh, Tarinj-tarinj, Dardaranj, Doronj, Melet and many other names for thousands of years.
The EUA leadership, headed by the EUA Rector Heghine Bisharyan, academy staff and students participated in the event. Due to the advice of the day, the Trndez bonfire was lit, music was played, a round dance was held and a traditional flight over the bonfire was performed.
The main symbol of Trndez is the bonfire, around which everyone dances around, after which loving couples and newlyweds jump over the bonfire holding hands. Attendees also participate in the ceremony, warding off bad luck and failure. It is widely believed that if a loving couple can hold hands while flying over a bonfire, then their love will last forever. While the fire was burning, Tyarndarach festive dishes were placed on the table: gatha, raisins, aghandz, walnuts, halva, which were decorated with wheat ears and a tree of life. The origin of this holiday is connected by folklore with the myth about the Fire God Vahagn. Tired of the cold winter, men light bonfires to help the sun and hasten the arrival of spring. Today is also the day when Joseph and Mary brought the newborn Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem.
