Gathering around New Year and Christmas tables

DENÇA DEĞİRMENCİ

The arrival of the new year might be nothing more than the turning of a calendar page for some. Yet, for many Armenian families, this period is a time that brings together every family member, from the youngest to the eldest, around tables adorned with joy. It is a moment when the past meets the future, heralding Christmas (Dznunt), one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church, celebrated on January 6th.

Every year, as this season comes, we often hear the question: “Why do you celebrate Christmas on January 6th?” The Armenian tradition of celebrating Christmas on this date, unlike many other Christian communities, has a historical background. In the 4th century, the Western Roman Church moved the symbolic birth of Jesus to December 25th, aiming to diminish the influence of the pagan celebration of the ‘Birth of the Sun God’ on the same day. However, the Armenian Church, remaining faithful to the early Christian rituals that commemorated both the birth and baptism of Jesus on the same day, preserved its calendar. For this reason, January 6th continues to hold its sacred significance for Armenians, marking not only the birth of Jesus but also His baptism.

Beyond its historical and religious meanings, Christmas in Armenian culture is a celebration that upholds traditional and societal values. These traditions have been carried on in various forms for years in the lands of Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and Thrace.While traces of regional customs can still be seen in the homes of Armenians in Istanbul, some traditions, unfortunately, have faded over time. For instance, Armenians from the Rodosto region once placed seven types of fasting-friendly dishes on their New Year’s tables. Before starting the meal, it was customary for adults to drink seven glasses of rakı in a ritual known as ‘’okhdı rakhi’’ (votive rakı). Additionally, a coin, often made of copper or silver, would be hidden inside a loaf of bread, and the person who found the coin was deemed the lucky one for the year. Among Armenians of Sasun, a dish known as Mariamacaş (Virgin Mary’s dish), a chard-infused version of harisa (a traditional wheat and meat dish), was an indispensable part of Christmas tables. In Kozan, it was customary during Christmas and other celebrations for the groom’s family to send a tray filled with food to the bride’s house, a tradition referred to as ’’sini donatmış’’.

Illustration: Tamar Gürciyan

As these customs reveal, tables have always been central to New Year and Christmas celebrations. In Armenian culture, a table is not merely a place for eating but a focal point where sharing, love, and intergenerational bonds are strengthened. For our elders, gathering the whole family around the same table is deeply meaningful, even for an ordinary dinner. On a culturally significant holiday like Christmas, this act carries an even greater weight. Those who gather around these tables—family members, neighbors, and family friends—share common values and create shared experiences. During these moments, stories from the past, cultural values, and family memories are passed down to the younger generations. The tales our elders tell about past Christmas celebrations serve as vivid links to history, and the bonds formed at those tables become legacies that influence not only the present but also future generations.

In my opinion, especially for Armenians in the diaspora, holidays like Christmas are powerful ways to keep our cultural identity alive. These occasions bring communities together, allowing us to greet the New Year and celebrate Christmas with shared rituals and traditions. No matter where we are in the world, this shared experience provides a sense of unity and strength.

In short, New Year and Christmas celebrations are not just traditional festivities; they are opportunities to remember the values we often overlook in the rush of life. The dishes we place on our tables reflect labor, history, and culture. As the year draws to a close, let us refresh our hopes for the future while remembering the past. May the memories we create during our holidays continue to be treasured legacies for generations to come. I hope that as the new year arrives, everyone will have the joy of gathering around a table with their loved ones, sharing these meaningful values. Merry Christmas, and may our new year be filled with hope.