Translators’ Day in Armenia
October 8th is a day that’s celebrated as Translators’ Day all across Armenia. Also known as the Feast of the Holy Translators, the day commemorates the creation of the Armenian alphabet and the accomplishments of those who worked as holy translators. The work of these translators gave the Armenian Church a distinctive national identity that set it apart from the rest of the churches in Europe.
Armenia (Observance)For the diaspora of Armenians living abroad, this date is a part of “Culture Month,” a month-long celebration that honors scholars, writers, translators, and theologians that have contributed to Armenian culture and theology.
The History Of Translators’ Day In Armenia
Translators Day, also known as the Feast of the Holy Translators, is dedicated to saints and literary figures of the Armenian Apostolic Church. These people not only created the alphabet of Armenia, but they would also translate the Bible into Armenian. Their work contributed to a culture that focused its attention on translating some of the most important literary and theological works in the world into Armenian.
The Holy Translators who worked on this worthy endeavor included David the Invisible, Mesrop Mashtots, Yeghishe, Nerses IV the Gracious, Gregory of Narek, and Movses Khorenatsi. Their first Armenian translation of the Bible is one of the oldest in the world that has survived and is still in use by the Armenian Church. October 8th was chosen as the feast day for these translators.
Observing Translators’ Day In Armenia
This holiday and Feast Day is observed with religious services in the Armenian Church and with cultural events outside of the church. Although it’s not a public holiday, and as such, government offices, schools and businesses aren’t closed, it’s still a holiday that’s widely observed. It’s a source of pride for many Armenians, both in Armenia and around the world, and is observed as a part of Culture Month.
Armenia (Observance)
