The Armenia Apostolic Church will mark the Christmas Eve today. On this occasion, all the churches serve the Candlelight Divine Liturgy. People bring lit lanterns and candles from church tonight, those symbolizing the divine light and the blessing of the church. Lighting of the lanterns symbolizes the light of the Bethlehem Star.

Since the church day ends after the evening liturgy at 5:00 pm, people begin celebrating Christmas on the evening of January 5 and all along January 6.

The Armenian Church always celebrates the Birthday of Christ on January 6, Araratian Patriarchal Diocese representatives told Armenian News – NEWS.am.

In fact, the Candlelight Divine Liturgy is served only twice a year – on the Eve of Christmas and Easter.