The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ on January 6. The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ on December 25.

Before the 4th century all Christians celebrated the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ on January 6. However, even after adopting Christianity Romans continued to celebrate heathen feasts. The thing is that on December 25 the feast dedicated to the worship of son was solemnly celebrated. In order to hinder the celebration of heathen feasts in 336 the Roman Catholic Church officially proclaimed December 25 as the day of birth of Jesus Christ. Later the day of birth of Jesus Christ was moved to December 25 in Assyria and almost in all parts of the east, and January 6 remained as the day of the Holy Nativity and Theophany and Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Only the Armenian Apostolic Church has remained loyal to the ancient tradition and evangelical calculations and celebrates the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ jointly on January 6.

In the evening of January 5 candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated in all Armenian churches. It is interesting that candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated only twice during the year – on the eve of the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ and on the eve of the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the evening of that day people take to their homes candles lit in the church symbolizing the divine light and the blessing of the Church. Lighting candles symbolizes also the light of Bethlehem star leading the magi from the east to the Baby Jesus.