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Armenia celebrates the Feast of St. Sarkis, the patron saint of love, on Saturday. The feast is observed 63 days before Easter, on a Saturday falling between January 18 and February 25.
St. Sarkis was not Armenian by nationality, but he was a brave soldier who was martyred for the Christian faith. In Armenian tradition, the image of St. Sarkis symbolizes the victory of holiness over sin, evil, and idolatry. The feast is dedicated to those who seek and find love, those who fight for love, and those who do not give up.
According to tradition, when the persecution of Christians began during the reign of Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate, God appeared to Sarkis and said: “It is time, Sarkis, for you to leave your country and people, like Abraham before, and go to the land that I will show you.” After giving all his wealth to the poor, Sarkis left with his son Mardiros and went to the Armenian king Diran. Learning that Julian was advancing toward Persia with a large army, the king urged Sarkis to go to Shapuh.
When Sarkis and his son arrived in Persia, King Shapur, having heard of his bravery, appointed him commander of the Persian military. Through Sarkis’ influence, many soldiers renounced paganism and embraced Christianity.
When the Persian king later demanded that Sarkis offer sacrifices to pagan gods, Sarkis refused, saying he would worship only the one true God. The king began to criticize Sarkis and his faith, but Sarkis could not tolerate such words. In response, he spat in the king’s face and destroyed the temple idols.
An angry mob attacked Sarkis and his son. Sarkis’ son, Saint Martiros, was martyred, while Sarkis was imprisoned but remained steadfast in his faith. He was later executed by beheading. Fourteen soldiers loyal to St. Sarkis were also martyred for their Christian faith.
For the Armenian nation, St. Sarkis is one of the most beloved saints. According to tradition, Mesrop Mashtots brought his relics to Armenia and buried them in the village of Ushi, where the Church of St. Sarkis was built over his relics.
The Feast of St. Sarkis is accompanied by a number of beautiful traditions. On this day, unmarried Armenian women eat a piece of salty bread, ideally after fasting throughout the day, in the hope of dreaming about their future husband. Tradition holds that the man who brings them water in the dream will be the man they marry.
On the night before the feast, young people and lovers place a tray filled with flour or roasted wheat (pokhind) on their balcony or rooftop, believing that St. Sarkis, accompanied by angels, will pass by during the night. If the hoofprint of his white horse appears in the flour, it is considered a sign of good fortune, happiness, and the fulfillment of love-related wishes.
By decree of His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the Feast of St. Sarkis the Commander has been proclaimed the Day of the Blessing of Youth. On this day, the Armenian Apostolic Church holds a special liturgy, during which believers pray for peace, love, and happiness, seeking St. Sarkis’ intercession.