On Sunday, February 16, 2025, our school was filled with great excitement as we celebrated three holidays at once — the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple (Tearnandaraj), Saint Sarkis, and Great Barekendan.

The day began in the school kitchen, where senior students baked traditional salty cookies. Then, we hurried to the church to attend the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and receive Father Vazgen’s blessing. Before performing the blessing of the youth, Father Vazgen spoke to the faithful about the significance of the holidays and traditions of each celebration and warmly invited everyone to welcome the children. It was heartwarming to see the sheer number of faithful who took home the freshly baked salty cookies… you never know what they might reveal!

The festivities continued in the schoolyard, where teachers shared stories about Saint Sarkis, explained the meaning and history of Tearnandarach, and recounted the tradition of rolling Utis Tati’s doll down from the mountain on the last day of Barekendan, only to be replaced by Pas Pap (Lent Father).

As always, our parent committee outdid themselves with a delicious feast, followed by joyful dances, songs, jumping over the bonfire, and fun games.