On Easter Eve, Armenian Church Honors the Resurrection with Holy Candlelight Ceremony

On the eve of one of the holiest days in Christianity, Armenian churches across the world are glowing with sacred light and spiritual meaning. Today, the Armenian Apostolic Church is observing Easter Eve, known as Chrakaluyts, a deeply symbolic and joyful moment that comes just before the celebration of the Holy Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This day marks the beginning of the most important feast in the Armenian Christian calendar—the Resurrection of Christ. For centuries, this moment has united Armenians in faith, family, and history, carrying with it a powerful message of life after death, of hope after pain, and of light after darkness.
Chrakaluyts, meaning “lighting of the lamps,” is the name of the special Divine Liturgy held on Easter Eve. During this ceremony, something deeply moving happens: after the church service, the faithful light their candles from a single flame—one brought down by the clergy from the altar. That flame represents the light of Christ, the light that overcomes death and brings spiritual rebirth.
One by one, people in churches all over Armenia and the Armenian diaspora gently pass this light to one another. Then, they take it home, careful to protect it from the wind, and place it in their homes as a sign of blessing and holiness. It is more than a tradition. It is a sacred act of carrying the message of Christ into daily life.
This evening, the service holds even greater importance. His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, will lead the episcopal liturgy from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. As the leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church, his presence adds spiritual weight to the ceremony. From the altar, he will descend holding the holy flame, and from that one flame, thousands of candles will be lit across the world.
This act symbolizes the spread of Christ’s light from His Resurrection to all corners of the Earth—beginning from the heart of the Armenian Church.
The Resurrection is the central truth of Christian faith. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified, died, and then rose from the dead on the third day. His victory over death is not only a miracle; it is a promise—that life does not end with death and that all believers may also rise again one day.
For the Armenian people, who have survived genocide, war, and hardship, this promise of Resurrection holds even more meaning. It is a message of hope that has helped Armenians stay strong, rebuild, and keep their faith alive through centuries of trials.
Even before His own Resurrection, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. That act showed His divine authority to give life, to renew, and to save. And His own Resurrection became the foundation of all Christian belief.
The Apostle Paul once wrote, “If Christ had not risen, our faith would be in vain.” These words ring true to this day. The Resurrection is not just a moment in history—it is the reason for Christian faith. Armenians believe because Christ rose, and they carry that belief into their homes, into their communities, and into the world.
Tonight, as families gather in candlelight, as churches ring with hymns, and as homes glow with the flame of Chrakaluyts, a timeless truth shines once again: no matter how dark the night, light will come. Through Christ’s Resurrection, Armenians find strength to believe, to endure, and to rise.
This is not just the eve of a holiday. It is a moment when history, faith, and hope come together—a moment that reminds all Armenians of who they are, where they come from, and the light they carry forward.

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