Ukhtagirk
Encyclopedia
Ukhtagirk is a literary work, a book, written by Slak Kakosyan, a political dissident
in Soviet Armenia and an Armenologist, and the founder of Arvordineri Ukht (Armenian pagan) organization in Armenia. The book contains ancient Armenian legends, myths and folklore that existed and religiously practiced in Armenia before the adoption of Christianity
as a state religion in 301 AD.
The pre-Christian Armenian folklore as expressed in Ukthagirk could be considered as an attempt by ancient Armenians
to preserve their ancestral memory of various historical events and a system of traditional religious beliefs that was practiced in Armenia within thousands of years. With the adoption of Christianity by Armenia
in 301 AD, many of those beliefs were absorbed into the religious practices and ceremonies still conducted by the Armenian Apostolic Church
. Some of those practices are very popular among Armenians and are known as Vardavar, Trndez
, Navasard (new year), Surb Tsnund (holy birth) and others.
Dissident
A dissident, broadly defined, is a person who actively challenges an established doctrine, policy, or institution. When dissidents unite for a common cause they often effect a dissident movement....
in Soviet Armenia and an Armenologist, and the founder of Arvordineri Ukht (Armenian pagan) organization in Armenia. The book contains ancient Armenian legends, myths and folklore that existed and religiously practiced in Armenia before the adoption of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
as a state religion in 301 AD.
The pre-Christian Armenian folklore as expressed in Ukthagirk could be considered as an attempt by ancient Armenians
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
to preserve their ancestral memory of various historical events and a system of traditional religious beliefs that was practiced in Armenia within thousands of years. With the adoption of Christianity by Armenia
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
in 301 AD, many of those beliefs were absorbed into the religious practices and ceremonies still conducted by the Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
. Some of those practices are very popular among Armenians and are known as Vardavar, Trndez
Trndez
Trndez is a feast of purification in the Armenian Apostolic Church and Armenian Catholic Churches, celebrated 40 days after Jesus's birth. The two churches celebrate this on different days, the 14th and the 2nd of February...
, Navasard (new year), Surb Tsnund (holy birth) and others.