YEREVAN. – Araratian Patriarchal Diocese today made a “Trndez” bonfire in the backyard of Yerevan’s Surb Zoravor Astvatsatsin church on occasion of the Feast of Purification, a holiday symbolizing the coming of spring and fertility.

The celebration was mainly attended by fellows and girls, who hoped to find love by jumping over the fire. Newly-weds also took part in it dreaming of creating a strong family.

Being pagan by origin, Trndez is a holiday dedicated to the newly-weds. Some specialists think the word “Trndez” means “heaped up fired”. With the adoption of Christianity in Armenia, the name and essence of the holiday also changed.

One of the key constituents of the holiday is the bonfire. Loving couples jump over it, and if they manage to jump without leaving each other’s hand, they say the family will be strong and their love will be eternal.

The couples are followed by childless women who believe the fire will help them get pregnant. At the end, everyone dances in a circle.

The holiday symbolized the 40-day birth of pagan God Vahagn, who was born through flames. The priest took fire from those flames and made a bonfire for the pagan community. During the pagan celebration, the brides jumped over the fire to be able to give birth to male children like Vahagn.

According to another thesis, the holiday was dedicated to God Mihr and has to do with fire worship.