St. Sargis the warrior has his special place among the numerous saints that fell for Christ’s Church. All Christians celebrated the day of his remembrance with love and admiration. Among those celebrating the holiday are the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church and all Armenians, especially the youth with many types of ceremonies and ancient national customs. The remembrance of St. Sargis the warrior is one of the holidays that shifts on the calendar (due to Easter), and this year it is celebrated on February 4.

Historical background

St. Sargis (of Greek origin) is one of the most beloved saints of the Armenian nation. For his courage, St. Sargis was ranked prince and commander by the Pious Emperor Great Konstandianos (4th century) in Kapadovkia near the border of Great Hayk.

During the reign of Juliano Renegade when Christians were once again persecuted, Sargis leaves the empire and takes refuge in Christian Armenia along with his son, Martiros. However, after a while, he moves from Armenia to Persia and gets accepted to military service by King Shapuh. When Shapuh finds out that Sargis is Christian, he demands that he worship the fire and sacrifice. The brave warrior rejects the Persian King’s demand, saying: “Only one God is worthy of being adored, that is, the Holiest Trinity that has created the earth and heaven. The fire or the idols are not and can’t be gods because the man made from sand can eliminate them.” After this, the Saint drowns the god. The infuriated crowd attacks Sargis and his son, and the first to become the martyr is his son, Martiros.

St. Sargis is sent to jail and is subject to indescribable tortures, but he stays true to his faith, for which he is executed. After his execution, a light strikes on the Saint’s body. The 14 Persian soldiers that were loyal to St. Sargis and had converted to Christianity were also executed for following the Christian religion.

A century later, Archimandrite, St. Mesrop Mashtots brings St. Sargis’s relics to Armenia where, in Ushi village, he builds the first church named after St. Sargis.

Tradition and ritual

According to one of the folk stories, Sargis and his 39 brave soldiers celebrated their victory in another battle at the imperial palace. While everyone goes to sleep, the emperor orders 40 girls to kill the 40 brave soldiers. The 39 girls fulfill the emperor’s order, but the 40th, seeing Sargis’s manly face, falls in love with him and instead of killing him, wakes Sargis up by giving him a kiss. Seeing what has happened, Sargis sits on his white horse, takes the girl that had fallen in love with him, destroys the city’s gates and leaves the city.

This beautiful story has served as a basis for those in love to start considering St. Sargis their patron with lightning speed in order to make their dreams come true.

Alongside the St. Sargis celebration, one of the customs that is common among Armenians is the tradition of eating salty pies. It is in no way linked to the tradition of the Armenian Church, but the Armenian Church respects the people’s traditions. However, it rejects any type of fortune telling.

Before the eve of the St. Sargis celebration, one of the memorable customs is placing a tray of flour on the roof or balcony and waiting to see the trace of the horseshoe of St. Sargis the warrior. According to tradition, St. Sargis has to pass by with the accompaniment of angels. Whoever sees the trace of the horseshoe in the tray of flour, the dream of the youth in love will come true that year.

St. Sargis the warrior is the patron of youth with lightning speed. He makes miracles happen. On that day, youth pray to the Saint for God to hear their wishes.

St. Sargis Day has been proclaimed Youth Blessing Day under the direction of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, and this year it is celebrated on February 4.

Today, all churches named after St. Sargis will serve the Divine Liturgy, after which the ceremony will end with the blessing of youth that has already turned into a tradition.

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