Sovrp Sarcis


Sourp Sarkis is an Armenian religious tradition that has been celebrated for many years. It is a unique holiday that requires a lot of self sacrifice. Sourp Sarkis is also a time of festivity in many Armenian houses especially in those homes that include a family member with the name Sarkis or Mardig.

Sarkis the strong (zoravar) lived during the fourth century. By Rome's ruler, Gostantianos Sarkis would be the General of Gabatovgio , that was his birthplace. Sarkis who was a loyal Christian takes his son and decides to go to Armenia. But his presence in the Armenian castle may have turned into a reason to cause a war between the Armenian and the Greeks. To avoid a potential war they go to Persia, where King Shabouh the second (310-379) happily admitted him and made him the general of the Persian-Roman borders. He had many victories. Shabouh the second learned about the spread of Christianity and invited Sarkis the strong and his son to his palace. Sarkis accepted the invitation and decided to show his true beliefs.

Sarkis the strong didn't pay homage to the Persian gods and the palace officials killed his son and sent Sarkis to a dungeon far away from town, with a plan to cut off his head .The King's wish was done. Fourteen Christian soldiers under Sarkis' army decided to go and honorably bury Sarkis the strong, those soldiers were later killed. Other Christian soldiers tried to find Sarkis' body and they tried to take it to Asorick. Because of all the Sarkis, his son Mardiros, and all the fourteen soldiers were made to Saints. In the Fifth Century Mesrop Mashdoths tried to take his body to Armenia. The Armenian society have ever since named churches after Sarkis and Mardiros.


H7P7U7M7 Manovgyan Dymirjyan Tbrox
Avydis Gyrboyan

(Wyratar2i4r n,ylow P7 @y-nargi n,anu)