It is Known When the Remembrance Day of St. Sargis the Commander Will Be Celebrated This Year

Young people's intercessor St. Sargis the Commander's remembrance day will be celebrated on February 4 this year.

By the direction of the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, the feast of St. Sargis has been declared as the Day of Blessing of Youth. The Feast of St. Sargis holds a prestigious place in the liturgical calendar of the Armenian Church. His memory is celebrated nine weeks before Easter, on the Saturday following the Meat Fare week. The feast has a movable date that falls between January 18 and February 23.

St. Sargis the Commander is one of the most beloved saints. He was martyred for the Christian faith alongside his son, Martiros, and 14 brave soldiers. For his bravery, he was appointed by Emperor Constantine the Great (285-337) to rule as a governor and military leader in Cappadocia near Armenia. He was not only an outstanding military leader but also an excellent preacher. Taking advantage of the emperor's goodwill, he demolished pagan temples in the cities under his control, built churches, and spread Christianity.

During the reign of Julian the Apostate (360-363), when persecutions against the Church began, St. Sargis, having received a divine revelation to leave the empire's borders, came to Christian Armenia with his son Martiros, where King Tiran ruled, the grandson of King Trdat, son of Khosrov.

Upon learning that Julian was advancing towards Persia with a large army, the Armenian king urged Sargis to serve under Shapur to protect his country from the threat of invasion. Shapur gladly accepted St. Sargis and appointed him commander of the regiments. Many soldiers, seeing the piousness and devotion of the brilliant commander to God through his prayers and the miracles worked by the Lord, renounced paganism and became Christians. However, Shapur demanded that he worship fire and make sacrifices. The commander immediately refused, saying, "One God is worthy of worship: the Most Holy Trinity, who created heaven and earth. Fire or idols are not inherently gods; mortal man can destroy them." After these words, St. Sargis destroyed the idol.

The angry crowd attacked St. Sargis and his son. His son, St. Martiros, received the crown of martyrdom first. St. Sargis was imprisoned and, remaining steadfast in his faith, was beheaded. After his martyrdom, light shone upon the body of St. Sargis. The fourteen soldiers loyal to St. Sargis were also martyred for their faith. The faithful buried the martyrs in the city of Hamian.

St. Sargis is one of the most beloved saints of the Armenian people, and it is no coincidence that St. Mesrop Mashtots brought his relics to Karbi (in the Ashtarak region), where he built a church named after him.

The Feast of St. Sargis the Commander is celebrated in Armenia not only with ecclesiastical rites and prayers but also through popular customs, which have become a cherished tradition. St. Sargis the Commander is the swift intercessor for youth. Miracles occur through his mediation. On this day, young people pray to the saint to convey their prayers to God.

On the eve of St. Sargis's feast, young people eat salty flatbread, which is associated with the dreams of their future spouses. Among the notable customs of that day is placing a chaff basket on the roof or balcony of the house and waiting for the hoofprints of St. Sargis's horse. According to tradition, St. Sargis is expected to pass by accompanied by angels, and whoever's flour or chaff contains the print of his white horse symbolizes purity and will see their dreams come true that year.

On the occasion of the feast, young people exchange cards and sweets.