While many are by now putting away their Christmas decorations, for Armenian Apostolic Christians, who celebrate the birth of Christ on Epiphany, the festivities have only just begun. 

1. Armenians celebrate the original Christmas

Քրիստոս Ծնավ և Հայտնեցավ. Ձեզի մեզի մեծ Ավետիս

Christ is Born and Revealed. Good news for you and us.

Before the 4th century, Christians en masse celebrated Christmas on January 6th. It wasn't till the end of the 3rd century that the date was changed to December 25th, to replace the pagan feast dedicated to the Sun God. 

Armenia chose to stick with the original celebration date, which marks both Jesus' birth, baptism, and the Epiphany. 

2. Traditionally, Armenians fast before Christmas

A week before Christmas day, some Armenians fast and abstain from meat so as to receive the feast of the Epiphany on a "pure stomach".

On Christmas Eve (which falls on Dec 31st, New Year's Eve) Armenians prepare a dish called ishkhanatsoog, which basically translates to princely trout. They also prepare traditional braided bread, rice pilaf, figs and others.

On Christmas Day (January 6th) they break the meat fast with a traditional dish called poulgeur pilav, which is essentially lamb & rice.

3. They make sweets to keep the whole year sweet

Traditional Armenian Christmas desserts are very unique, and some hold a special meaning. 

Besides the traditional dried fruits and nuts, rojik - walnuts enveloped in grape jelly and hung on a string- is made. 

Another traditional dish is anoushabour, which loosely translates to sweet soup.  It's a wheat-based pudding with berries, dried apricots and other fruits. It's symbolically made on Armenian Christmas to keep the whole year sweet. 

4. You get your gifts with a side of prophecy

While it's not clear who gives the presents (Santa Claus, Gaghant Baba, Dzmer Pap or a Baboushka/grandma), gifts are open on December 31st, with the giver predicting the events for the coming year. 

5. Armenian hymns celebrate birth, baptism, and the Epiphany.

Christ is Born and Revealed. Good news for you and us.