ARMENIAN TRADITIONS: DREAMING OF YOUR FUTURE BRIDE OR GROOM

St. Sarkis is one of the most beloved saints in Armenia. He is known as the warrior patron of love and youth. Every year Armenians celebrate the feast day of St. Sarkis and his soldiers sometime between January 11th and February 15th. According to folk stories, upon their return from a victorious battle, St. Sarkis and 39 of his soldiers, celebrated at a royal palace. As they drank and went to sleep, the King ordered 40 women to kill the saint and his soldiers. 39 women killed the soldiers, however, the one ordered to kill St. Sarkis fell in love with him and kissed him instead. St. Sarkis woke up with a rage seeing what had happened, took the woman and left the city.

Photo source Western Diocese of the Armenian Church