For Armenian fire-worshipers, New Year is the symbol of new life and recovery of nature. They celebrate it on March 21 (vernal equinox), the day of worshipping Vahagn, the Armenian god of war and strength. On this day, the fire-worshipers glorify god Vahang through a fire lighting ceremony, following which they congratulate each other on worldly and heavenly spring, as well as Armenian New Year.    

Fire-worshipers call the New Year celebrated by the Christians a “civil New Year.” Armenian pagans also celebrate it, but in another context. According to the fire-worshipers, New Year is the same holiday marking the birthday of Mihr, the deity of light and purity, celebrated on December 22, which the Christians substituted by New Year. 

“The civil New Year was taken from the holiday of Mihr. When pagandom was substituted by Christianity, the most important holiday of the year was preserved, but was interpreted as the birth of Christ. We celebrate the birthday of god Mihr, while the Christians that of Christ,” priest Gegham told Armenian News – NEWS.am correspondent. 

Despite the fact that New Year is not a very accepted holiday among the fire-worshipers, they also follow the holidays of the contemporary world, celebrating the “civil New Year” almost according to the Christian traditions. But instead of celebrating New Year, on January 1 Armenian fire-worshipers celebrate the birthday of Armenian commander Garegin Nzhdeh.   

The Christmas tree is also a different symbol for them. “We decorate the Christmas tree, but the symbolism is different. It is considered as a tree of life, which should have been an apricot tree. Since this is impossible, we put a Christmas tree instead,” priest Gegham said.  

According to him, the “civil New Year” is a good opportunity for the fire-worshipers and Christians to return to their relatives and spend several joyful and happy days together.