Christmas, Armenian style

Apostolic Armenians, such as yours truly, (i.e. Orthodox) celebrate the birth and baptism of Christ on the 6th of January. Therefore, I wish a most heartfelt Merry Christmas to those so inclined.

There are websites that explain the origins of the “Armenian Christmas”, not to mention that of the Church (the Armenian Catholic and Protestant Church(es), while a minority, are nonetheless well and thriving) and postulate its various traditions. I offer the following resources to satiate your curiousity: for a concise explanation or the poignant explanation that the Armenian Church provides.

Dear Ararat

I have finally decided to write again.

Back in 2000, I gave up my therapeutic web journal as dramatic events unfolded in my then harrowing life and while Blue Skies, my web journal, had sustained me emotionally as well as creatively for years, I eventually succumbed to a never ending reticent mood.

As time went on, I was not interested in blogging because I found it too peripheral and all too impersonal. Also, writing online had been oddly therapeutic for me for such a long time, so I was understandibly hesitant to take it up in the public arena again. Time passed and my fascination with personal storytelling fully extended to lurking elsewhere. After all this time, I want to take this up again, if only for my own guilty pleasure.

It is my hope to incorporate Dear Ararat into my daily life as I embark on decidedly exciting and challenging endeavours in the new year. Thus, I will unravel my plans or my hopes for my plans gradually as well as feed my penchant for literary and cultural critiques as well as political op-ed pieces.