Darendas (Diarentarach)


On this day, big fires were lit on all the squares of the Mousadaghian villages. The people would go round the fire making cheerful sounds and all those who had unfulfilled wishes would jump over the fire hoping for the realization of their dreams. On Saturday night, there would be more candles lit in the church than usual. On the alter you would see 12 candles lit in a circle, representing the 12 Apostles of Christ, and another big one in the middle, representing Jesus Christ. After the Mass, people would light their candles from the big candle in the middle and carry them home hoping that their homes would be anointed with the light of Jesus, which would keep the evil spirits away. In the middle of the 12 candles there would also be a large piece of bee wax which would be distributed to the people, specially the children. They would make small crosses out of them and stick them on the doors of their homes and storage rooms for prosperity.