LAS VEGAS

   DAY 1:

When  reading  Arthur  Hailey’s ‘  Airport”  as  an adolescent,  I  would  never imagine  that  I would  once  myself  appear in the focus of such ironic circumstances and moreover,  that the scene of action would be on other place than, one of the  airports in Illinois,  this time the O’Hare International airport in Chicago.

  …Weather forecast for December 15,  despite the heavy snow and severe wind, had predicted “favorable” conditions for the flight. I  had checked in and had several minutes (that  later turned into hours) before the flight, so  I decided to have a refreshing cup of coffee  reviewing my holiday plans for the upcoming  several days that I had managed to make  out from my busy schedule.

  Las Vegas… a city that has an appeal  so frustratingly unfathomable for people that are unaware of its secrets. I  had anticipated  this journey for a long time with most serious  preparation and eagerness.

  In a few more hours I would be on the scene of the Phantom of the Opera  and David Copper field’s  miracles, I would be watching Le Reve and admiring the stunning light  and sound effects of the Blue Men show. I had taken care of the tickets long in advance, on the internet. By the way, that is what I would recommend to everyone, otherwise standing in the line for the tickets just before the show is sure to leave you excommunicated from the “ myth” of the Phantom.

  Chicago-Las Vegas flight on US airways will be delayed for an indefinite time… This single message from the endless myriad of airport  announcements was referring to me. I recalled  the scene from Hailey’s Airport and smiled at the semblance of circumstances. Realizing that the airport and carrier staff were doing their best to deal with the bad weather conditions and the situation at the airport, I decided not to appeared before the information counter, and looked around…

  Just like me, Collin had “ scratched out” a few days off to visit the capital of world hedonism,  surprisingly with no more than a thousand US  dollars in his pocket. Five minutes later we had made friends and in ten more minutes we  were enveloped by a pack of other passengers  from the delayed flights who were watching  spellbound the smooth movements of Collin’s  miraculous fingers. Before the boarding there were five such “ Origami’s” formed.

   After a “brief” seven-hour waiting (that were easily whiled away thanks to Collin and his “Origami’s”) we were on board exchanging some cost-cutting solutions  on how to “conquer”  Las Vegas without spending a lot.

 Cheap  Las Vegas

 Perhaps the best way to begin to understand Las Vegas is to  see it firsthand. If you've never been to Las Vegas, plan a jaunt immediately. Not enough  cash to party like the casino whales?  No worries.  You can still have a decent time on a guppy’s  budget. After all, in this  desert mirage, the suggestion  of wealth is  often just  a fallacy  supported by “ comps.” We’d like to take in as much as we can without  maxing our accounts and suffering a vacation hangover when it’s all over. So here are some easy ways to cut expenses when visiting Las Vegas. We’ll look at cutting costs without sacrificing the  fun factor. 

  All amounts are listed in U. S. dollars.

 Cheap rooms in Vegas

Hotel  accommodations  in Las Vegas  are an easy way to either spend a fortune or save a  bundle. Considering our mission, we’re obviously shooting for the latter. Think about it: You really just need a place to crash and wash up. That doesn't  necessarily  mean that you’ll end up in a sleazy roach motel with hourly rates. When you research airfare or hotels  on the major  discount travel websites, consider lodging around Carranza International Airport, Fremont Street ( the old-school, downtown casino area),  at the north end of the Strip, or off the Strip altogether.

You’ll still be close to the big attractions,  and a few extra steps can mean big savings.
                                                                                                                         DAY:2

PRAGUE: OPEN 24 HOURS

          Early  in the  morning, the minute  you get off  the plane  you find yourself  in a miraculous  dream called  Prague…

   “ Ahoy’  is the  first  word you hear when  arriving  in the  Czech  Republic.  Whenever  you hear “Ahoy”  be sure that they are welcoming you and offering a closer acquaintance  with their wonderful  country.  Thousands  of people  visit  Czech  to just  stroll  along  the ancient the inimitable  architecture.

    The city,  with a population of 1,21  million,  is astounding  with the fusion  of Czech,  German and Jewish  cultures.  The variety  of architectural  styles, the ancient  monuments  and the   well-preserved  Old town  make  Prague  one of the most  beautiful  cities in Europe.

 An  ancient legend  goes that the legendary Princess Libuse,  who had visionary  powers,  exclaimed in her  dream:  “I see an  enormous  city and its fame will reach the stars and  its name will be  Prague!  Thus ,  in the  seventh  century  the Princess predicted the future glory  of the city. 

  Why  is Prague  so enthralling  and what is the secret of its attraction?  Maybe it’s the romantic  evenings  when the city  turns  into an illuminated  scene, or maybe it’s the enchantment  of the hundreds of cozy  pubs inducing  beer-lovers.  Maybe it is the indescribable  thrill  to be in the homeland of Franz  Kafka or the  exhilarating  moment of walking with  someone  close to  your  heart along the Carl’s  Bridge. Maybe…  By  the way,  about Carl’s  Bridge or the Karlov Most as  the  citizens  call it…

  This  structure  is  one  of  the most  famous  historic  monuments  of  Prague.  It was  built  according to the  designs  of Petr  Parlor  .  The  exact  date and time  the  cornerstone  was  laid  was July 9,  1357  at 15:31.  If  you  regard  this  date closely,  you will  see  that  it consists  of odd  numbers  in an  increasing  and  decreasing  order: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 5, 3, 1.  The  date  was specifically  chosen  by  mathematicians and astrologers  as the most  favorable  time for construction.

   Each  of the 30 statues  located along  Carl’s Bridge has  a peculiar  history,  but the most incredible is the story of  Jan  Nepomuck or St. John Nepomucene. In his fully  developed legend he was the confessor of the Queen  of  Bohemia.   Her husband,  Wenceslas  4  King  of Bohemia  and emperor  of  Germany  was  very jealous   and suspicious  of the Empress,  who  used to spend  hours  in the Church  praying.  The king  called St. John Nepomucene  and  ordered  him to reveal  what his  wife had  told him in confession,  but the confessor  refused  to  divulge the secrets of the confessional,  for which he  was tied up and thrown  into the Vltava  River  from  Carl’s  Bridge.  When  peasants found  his drowned  body in the river,  golden stars were  shining above his head.  Since then,  sculptors  have been  depicting  St. John Nepomucene with five  stars circling  his head.

  People still believe  that if they touch the bas-relief  beneath the sculpture with a dream in their mind, it will certainly come true.

 Strolling along the streets in Prague is  sheer delight.  It  helps explore this wonderful  city more thoroughly  and  intently.  One of the most  magnificent structures in the Old Town is the Casle,  presently the Presidential  Residence. The Prague Castle is the largest  medieval castle  complex in Europe and the ancient seat of Czech kings  throughout the ages. A little charming  passageway leads into the famous Golden  Lane,  yet another interesting part of the Prague Castle  complex. The tiny colorful  houses that were once inhabited by the castle servants, perhaps  goldsmiths and castle marksmen, take you back to a childhood fairy tale. Dating from the 15^th  century,  this small street is lined by 11 historic houses,  which exhibit medieval armory and textiles,  as well as selling tourist  souvenirs.  From 1916 to 1917  house  No.22  was inhabited by the writer Franz Kafka.

  Throughout centuries , one of Prague’s most notable and popular  attractions was the

Prague Astronomical Clock or the Prague  Orloj  mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town  City Hall in the old Town  Square in 1338 and  featuring the procession of the Twelve Apostles.

    The nearby Jewish Quarter with its historic buildings and monuments is an  important part of the  history of  Prague.

  On the opposite bank of the Vltava  River rises the world-class Dancing House (Tancini Dum),  a  masterpiece of contemporary architecture and a most daring experiment.  Built between 1992-1996, by  Yugoslav-born Vlado Milunic and the renowned American architect Frank  Gehry, the Dancing House forms a strikingly modern contrast  to  Prague’s historic attractions.  At first the citizens  of  Prague were too reluctant to accept the “gigantic  Monster” covered in glass and iron in their beloved fairy-tale city.  But in a short time span they reconciled  themselves to its existence and even  named it the “Ginger & Fred Building”, after the legendary dance  duo. In  fact,  amidst the daring, curvy outlines of the building there is a fine love melody as if the famous dancers are giving their best performance in front of the audience.  Dancing House is home to one of the city’s leading restaurants, La Perle de Prague Restaurant that offers magnificent views over Prague.  Prague is the political and cultural  center of the Czech Republic. More than 2000 cultural events take  place every month in this wonderful city. Aside from aesthetic pleasure,  Prague offers a large variety of entertainments.

   Cafes have always been  a favorite  venue  for   artists and intelligentsia  alike who can freely discuss  various political  and cultural  issues inspired  by the peaceful  coziness. Café “Medusa” ,  for  instance,  hosts a  diversity of exhibition sales by  modern  artists.  This is a popular  meeting point, as well as  a place for  round  table discussions and, of  course,  drinking.  You are sure to find something  amazing here. Majority of pubs and  cafes are open  until 1 o’clock  in the morning and even 04:00  or  05:00  a.m.  on weekends. Night  clubs are normally  working  until 05:00 a. m.,  but if you  are not contented you can attend  the so-called “ after-parties”, the  clubs that are open 24 hours. After sunset, Prague  divulges its  night  life. If you are a real  party animal,  then  this is just the place  for  you to go.  The  city has  numerous  top-scale  night clubs and you  are sure to  like at  least one of them. Night life in  Prague  opens endless  opportunities  to  meet  interesting  people and spend the night  in a friendly  environment.

  During the entire trip I could not  help  but recall  the saying that  “Prague  is like a woman:  tender and  persistent,  impulsive  and deep, like  a well  where you can  recognize  your  real  face.” Who  knows,  maybe  Yaroslav  Seyfert’s  words reveal  the  whole truth about  Prague…

  “Prague  is  like a woman: tender and  hard,  capricious and deep as a well  in which you can recognize your real  face.” 

DUBAI

District  guide

Set between Europe and  Asia,  Dubai  is the jewel  in the crown of the United Arab  Emirates It offers  visitors an  oasis from the surrounding  desert. At the  same time, it remains  mostly  sunny and  warm  throughout the year.  Dubai  is  the second largest  of the seven  Emirates (  Abu  Dhabi,  Dubai, Ajman,  al-Fujaira,  Ras al-Khaimah ,  Sharjah,  and Umm  al-Qaiwain)  and  is located on the south-western  shore of the Persian  Gulf.  Dubai’s  population in  2001 was approximately  1,029,000.  Visitors from the four  corners of the earth  make their way to Dubai by land, sea and air.  The  Dubai  International  Airport is a  vital  link for business,  commerce and  tourism.  Its  state of  the art  facilities and runways permit daily  take-offs and landings  whacking  visitors in and out of the emeriti. 

  City of contrasts  

   Tourists and business travelers will  find something to provoke their imagination in this busy and cosmopolitan  city.  The central city itself  is designed with ultra-modern offices,  hotels  and shopping malls all set alongside  the Creek. This natural  sea-water inlet cuts through the center of the  city.  But just around the  corner, you might  come upon an ancient  house or  other testament to  the rich  heritage  of this city.  Don’t  think the inhabitants  of Dubai  are  living  too  abundantly  with their  dwindling  oil supply though. They  were smart enough to plan ahead  economically  to soften  the blow,  and  tourism  is one of their main plans.  Dubai  is able to  boast an Arabian  experience in a protected, open- minded  city.  Even the  desert  itself  holds tourist  appeal.

   Dubai’s  central business  district  is  divided into two parts: Diera on the  north  side of the Creek  and Bur Dubai to the south. They are connected by a tunnel and two  dirges.  But no  matter which side  you find yourself on, a stroll along its banks  will remind you of the  city’s  centuries-old trading  traditions. And each side  has everything you might want, from  great hotels and stores to mosques  and  bustling  markets  (souks.)

 For a glimpse of Old Dubai,  head to the old Bastakiya  distrist.  The narrow streets  remind you of days  gone  by and the old wind towers  are the mark  of Dubai. Before  electricity, the wind towers brought  air into the homes to help cool them.  This district is  being restored to show tourists the true old Dubai. Just outside the central city to the  north is the neighboring  emirate of  Shariah. Andto the west and south are the neighborhoods of Satwa,  Jumeirah, and Umm Suqeim.

While  in Dubai, you may want to  visit the Duabi Museum which will introduce  you to the heritage and  culture of the emirate. Another  great  site is the Diving Village. The Duabi Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Arabian  peninsula. If  your interests  run to Archeology,  there are three  main excavations in that area. One  at Ghusais, another at al Sufooh  and another at  Jumeirah.  The first  two are 2,000  year old graveyards  and the third dates from the 7^th to 15^th  century and contains artifacts  and  more. Visitors  must obtain  a  permit from the Dubai  Museum.

 Climate                                                         

   Temperatures  run from a mean  daily  maximum  of about 41 degrees Celsius  in July to a mean daily  maximum of 24 in January.  The climate in Dubai is classed as  sub-tropical,  arid. But if you’re  expecting predictable  weather,  guess again. Although Dubai is relatively regular, it does have its  share of rain, wind, and storms. Dubai is a truly international city and  it has an abundance of lodging options for the  business or leisure traveler. Depending on your circumtances you  may select from a number of fine hotels to meet your needs. For the ultimate Seven-Star Deluxe  comfort, spend your visit at the Burj Al  Arab Hotel. For Five-Star Luxury, there’s the Sheraton dubai creek hotel & Towers. A bit less luxe-plush, but still more than adequate, with all the amenities a world traveler should expect, include:  the  Fairmont Hotel; Crowne Plaza Hotel Dubai; Ritz- Carlton Dubai Hotel; and the Shangri-La Hotel.  The locally run hotels are also generally  excellent. Swimming pools, health center, and restaurants are not uncommon features to Dubai’s accommodations. But for the budget traveler, there are also self-catering apartments  and hostels. 

MUNICH: MADE FOR MEN

DAY: 3

  Tying  up loose ends

   Presuming  you have put off another drinking  binge  for a later time, it is on this day,  call it a day of “rest”,  that you should  do Munich  proud. Rest assured, you’ll  still try out some famous beverages,  but you can’t leave the city  without visiting more attractions.

 Top attractions

First on your list, after you’ve overcome your hangover,  should be  the Residenz and Koenigsplatz.  These two areas are dominated by several museums,  beautiful  buildings from the 1600’s and other famous landmarks. 

 
   Watch your watch at the  Residenz museum,  as it is easy to spend your  whole day looking at the Bavarian treasures housed here. Instead,  divide your time between here, the Egyptian  Art Museum and the Lenbach House, which holds several  masterpieces from Kandinsky,  among ohers.

   As you continue northwest from Residenz to Konigsplatz and beyond, it only makes sense to stop at the Schloss Nymphenburg. Don’t worry, it’s not  another  museum. The Schloss is a Baroque palace that defines  opulence and excessiveness- built by royals” the rooms  are all open to the public and give a peek into a rich world  of art and desing.  Not to be missed on the large grounds are the witch’s  cottage and Chinese teahouse.

   Beautiful   beemer  museum

A late lunch  might now do you good,  so head over to the Olympiazentrum,  the site of the 1972  Olympics  .  At  Caf   Oly,  you  can grab  a light but  hearty meal before exploring the park area.  Really,  though, this sports  complex  and relaxing spot is just a gateway to something much cooler.

   Across  the street, there is an impressive  building that will catch  your eye.  Shaped like the four cylinders of an engine, it is BMW’s   headquarters and you should  definitely make a pilgrimage.  Next to the unique  edifice is  the BMW  Museum;  a must-see  with over 400cars,  and tons of machinery  and facts  sure to get your  testosterone  pumping.  Tours are free  and there is only a small  entrance  fee  to pay.

   Quench your thirst

  Having  been  alcohol-free  for the whole day, you are  surely suffering  from withdrawal by now. As  night  creeps in on your  third day,  more partying is in order.  A wise  choice is to head to Kunstpark  Ost,  a revamped  industrial  complex  which features a wide  selection of bars,  nightclubs  and restaurants.  Have a late  dinner,  then make like the locals and club-hop to find a place you like.  Entrance  fees are between  5 and 7  euros at  the clubs, so decide on a spot fairly  quick  and save your money for drinks.

  Miss the Oktoberfest? You can always make your way there instead, as last  call for alcohol is usually  around  midnight. It it’s not the right  season,  party  it up at  Wien’s  world,  a  beer hall  and club that celebrates  Oktoberfest year round.

 More than beer paradise

    
   Even  a versatile  itinedrary  such as  this one cannot divert too far from Munich’s true beer-drinking  roots.  With this as a teaser,  millions  of tourists  have  flown to the Bavarian  city  and been impressed by more than just the drinks.  A proud people,  dozens of world-renowned  landmarks  and gastronomic  pleasures (sausage,   and  more sausage) make Munich  more than a dream for lager-lovers; it is a must-see for anyone who  can appreciate art and a rich culture. Visit Germany’s  fastest-rising tourist spot: you won’t regret it, though  your liver might

 Tips for the trip

a/  Forget taxis or driving yourself: Use Munich’s punctual public transportation  when needed,  especially when going to the busy Oktoberfest. The  metro (subway  is efficient and runs until at least 1 a. m. on weekends.

b/ Munich can get very expensive, so save up beforehand and keep  an eye out for tourist traps. The city has a wide selection of shops and restaurants, so don’t settle for something until you’ve looked at other places.

c/ Know the names of the beers before you drink: doppelbock is the strongest,  usually at over 7% alcohol. Wizen, a wheat beer,  packs a punch at over 6%. Enjoy!

Resources: http://www.askmen.com

MUNICH: MADE FOR MEN

DAY:2

Did someone  say Oktoberfest?

  With  about  three  months of planning needed  to properly  enjoy the self-proclaimed  world’s  biggest  festival, Oktoberfest  should be a big, if not integral part, of your  trip. Six  million  visitors arrive in Munich to eat drink like crazy,  so this means you have to be in the ball for this party.

   Pick a tent, any tent
    Located  in the  Theresienwiese  area, the grounds  of the  festival  are huge, and comprise 14  sprawling  tents, each serving  pints upon pints of  different  beers  and pounds of mouth-watering  pork sausages.  

  Arrive in  the  morning  to  ensure  a spot  in one of the tents-recommended  above all  is the Schottenhamel  tent,  where the goal is  not only to consume as much beer and Bratwurst  as possible, but to socialize  with the hundreds  of people around.

  More to  fest  then beer

 When you feel  the need to stretch  your  legs  and give  your  stomach  arrest,  cruise  the  grounds  and scope out  the popular  brass  bands on outdoor  stages,  as well as the Rifleman’s  and  folklore  parades. Explore other tents  as well,  not necessarily  to have  another  drink,  but  to get a glimpse  of the fair  maidens  serving the alcohol.

  These tempting  and traditionally-dressed  Bavarian  babes can handle  what seems  like a dozen  glasses in their hands  and never  spill  a precious  drop.  Feeling adventurous? Pass up on yet another pork  sausage and try the oxen or pork knuckles  instead.  Should be interesting

  If you thought  a beer garden was too  good to be true, Munich  also has the largest  city park in Europe  and it’s  filled  with  nude,  sunbathing  goddesses.  Not to mention a BMW   museum…

  Babes in the buff

  As  the evening  wears on, the crowds and prices  may get a bit much.  It was only a matter of time  before Oktoberfest  became tourist-infested,  but don’t despair  since  there is still  lots more to do. Slam back a few more beers  if you want,  but if you have had your fill but still want to enjoy the early evening, stroll through the English Garden, north of the Asltadt  area you visited  yesterday.

 Another Munich claim  to fame ( at 900 acres, it is Europe’s largest  city park), the highlight of this green  space is undoubtedly  the nude  sunbathing.  That’s  right, it’s not just the beer that’s affecting  your vision;  if the  sun is not yet down, you are likely  to  see fair-haired  babes  catching  some rays  in the buff.

 Chill  in the  burbs

 As  you must  be weary from the long day of drinking and eating, grabbing a seat and just relaxing might be the right call. This can be done nearby in the happening  suburb of Scwabing,  as there are  numerous  cafes and  restaurant  where you can have something light to eat or drink and take in the sites of the city.

  Late night draws festivities, Oktoberfest and  otherwise,  to a close,  which  may be  welcome if the strong German brews are taking effect.

                                                                                                                       DAY:3

Resources: http://www.askmen.com

MUNICH: MADE FOR MEN

 “ Beer.”  That’s  all you have to when  someone has the nerve to ask, “Why  visit Munich?”  Sure, you could  list the  Bavarian  culture,  dozens  of museum  or Gothic  historical  sites  as top  draws,  but  let’s  be frank;  the home  of Oktoberfest  attracts  us  all for  its suds  first.

  Tourists  show up in drovers at one of Germany’s  most  famous  cities  and  Bavaria’s capital  to sample  all  the different  varieties of  ale,  and you should  too.  Whether you’re  tipsy or not, Munich  will  surely  leave  a  great  impression.

 Info  you need

  Visits  here are best  made  from  May to September,  when  the weather  is  fairest  and the sight-seeing  is  optimal.  Funnily  enough,  Oktoberfest,  that oh-so-famous  drinking  festival,  is help  in late  September  and is  the climax  of the tourist  season.

  Other  than  brushing up on some German  (Bier  mich!  Means “ beer  me!”  by  the way),  little  preparation is  needed  prior  to your  trip to beautiful  Munich.  The  city is laid  out  in a fashion  that  makes  navigation  easy  and, like the  rest  of  Germany, is  very modern.

   A typical  three  days  in September  can  encapsulate the best  this  fairy  tale  city  has  to offer, so let’s  get started:

DAY 1:

A lay of the land 

  The heart  of Munich  is  very  pedestrian  oriented,  and so,  instead of  batting  with droves of  BMWs on the roads, it  is  suggested you  choose  lodging  in a  convenient  location.  Try  the Hotel  Schlicker,  a  quaint  and  cheap  place, or  Le Meridien  for  something  more upscale.

  Although  you’ll  find  yourself paying a little more for the privilege of staying  in a centrally  located  hotel,  this investment  will  save you time and unnecessary  stress.  This will  become  evident  after a night  of downing  beer after beer.

Old  and new 
  The first  thing  you’ll  notice  about  Munich  is a unique  Bavarian  atmosphere.  The ornate  Gothic buildings,  friendly,  sophisticated  locals,  and   buzzing art  and cultural  scene  make Munich  a center  for the  avant-garde  and the classical.  Unlike  other cities,  however,  there is no  clash  of modern  versus old;  the  transition  is seamless.

  See this  firsthand  by walking along the  Isar  River,  which  cuts  Munich’s  center  on the eastern  side.  Head  northwest  to the Alstadt,  the historic  area, and get  ready for some real  stunning  sights.  The Marienplatz  square   is  a hub  of activity on a nice  day, as everyone  congregates  around  the Neues  Rathaus  (New  Town  Hall)  and Altes  Rathaus ( Old Town  Hall).  After  gazing  up and down  these architectural  wonders,  whip out  your  camera for  some  amazing  photo ops at the Glockenspiel, a tall  spire  within the Neues Rathaus  and probably  the most  famous  Munich site.

  Say  your   prayers

  For inspiring  views of the Alps,  and a chance  to  cleanse  your  soul  before  diluting  it with  alcohol,  visit two  majestic  churches  bordering  the square:  St.  Peterskirche  and Heiliggeistkirche.  Resist  the  urge  to go to the Hofbrauhaus,  the famous  beer  hall,  just yet and first  fill your  belly  with food.

   This  is  best done at the Viktualienmarkt,  undoubtedly Europe’s  best market  and a center to  grab  some great German eats and interact  with  the people. Visit the hundreds  of  stalls and fill up on classic German sausage,  try  the  weisswurst,  cheeses  and   exotic  fruits  and vegetables.

   To  wash it all  down,  visit the center of the market,  where a busy  beer garden  will seem like home,  though it  may  take  some time to get  used  to the Lederhosen-clad  regulars. Grab a stein,  or just a glass,  here, but  remember  that the Hofbrauhaus  calls your name.

Legendary  brew house

   Though largely a tourist  spot now, this famous  beer hall has been a Munich  tradition  since 1644. Walk in, soak in the live music and loud  die-hard  drinkers, and grab a seat. As long as you’re not in a spot marked Stammtisch ( this means it’s reserved for locals)  you’ll be accepted  with pleasure.

   Drink the night  away by trying  out the fruits of Munich’s  six major breweries’ labor:  a bock beer is quite  strong, while  a maze  is more common. This, the most famous  beer hall in the world,  will keep you buzzing  until closing time at  midnight,  after  which you can stumble  home in a content  stupor.

                                                                                                                         DAY:2

Resources: http://www.askmen.com

Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God

  This  year  the  Armenian Church  celebrates  the  Feast of the Assumption  of  St. Mary, the Holy  Mother of God, on August12.  In the Calendar of the Armenian Church,  this  feast is the fourth of  five  major  feasts  that are commemorated,  and is the  oldest one dedicated to St. Mary. The feast is usually  celebrated  on the  Sunday closest to the  date of August 15 ( on  august 12-18).  The feast  starts  on the eve, in the  evening  of August  16 is preceded by a 5-day  fasting  period  ending  on the eve of the feast, and the Monday  following  the feast day is a  Memorial Day.

  According  to the Sacred  Tradition  of the Apostolic  Church,  following the crucifixion  of Jesus Christ, the Holy Virgin  remained in Jerusalem, and lived  under the care of St. John the Evangelist.  For nearly 12 years,  St. Mary lives by  praying, fasting,  and  often  visiting the empty  tomb  of  her  beloved  Son. During  one such  visit to the  tomb,  the Archangel  Gabriel  appeared  and gave  her the  news of her imminent assumption to  heaven.  St. Mary  relayed the news to her relatives and all  Christians,  asking  them to  bury her  in  the valley  of Gethsemane.  St. Mary  also asks the Apostle  John  to  celebrate  a Divine  Liturgy,  so  she  could  receive  Holy Communion  one final  time. After  receiving  Holy Communion,  St. Mary  returned  to her room. As the Apostles prepared to  mourn her death, St. John asks the Mother of God to leave an image of her face on a board of wood.  St.  Mary  tode  the board,  crosses  herself  and brought  it close to her face.  Moistening the  board  with her tears,  she asked  God  that by  means of the board, people  would  be  cured from  disease.  As  the Apostles  surrounded St. Mary, an indescribable light  appeaed. The   Son of God and the angels  of heaven  appeared in the room.  Seeing  Christ,  St.  Mary  died. The   Armenian Apostolic  Church  uses the word « sleep»  instead  of the  word « death» in relation to the end of St. Mary's  earthly  life  thus emphasizing  her being  taken to the heaven. 

  St.  Bartholomew  the Apostle was  absent  and  did not participate in the burial  service of St. Mary. Upon  his return to Jerusalem,  he  wished to see  St. Mary  for the last time. Per his  request,  the  Apostles  opened  the tomb,  yet  they do not  find the  remains  of St. Mary.  According  to His  promise,  Jesus  Christ  had delivered  His mother  to  His heavenly  kingdom.  The   Apostles  gave  the  board  of St.  Mary  to  st.  Bartholomew   for  consolation.

  According  to  Moses  of Khoren,  st.  Bartholomew  brought  the board  to  Armenia. It  is  kept  in the  Province  of  Andzav,  in a location  called  Darbnots.  Years  later,  a  church  is  built  there in honor  of St. Mary,  and  a convent  is  opened. 

  Over  the  centuries  the  traces  of the  icon  have  been  lost,  however,  the feast  has   been  preserved  and  each  year,  on  the day  of  the  feast,  the  faithful  make  pilgrimages  and  go the  churches  bearing  the name  of St.  Mary,  and  offer  sacrifice  ( Matagh).

    The  Armenian  Church  has a deep  and  abiding  respect  towards  St. Mary.  Special  emphasis  is  placed  on her  being  a mother, her honesty,  her  unique  spirit  of  humility,  her  virtuous  behavior  and  her  unselfish  dedication.  For Armenian  woman,  the Holy  Virgin  is the   embodiment  of  virtue,  pious  motherhood,  and  the protector  of   family  sacredness.

   One of the  peculiarities  of the  feast  is  that on the  day  of the feast  the  Ceremony  of the Blessing  of the Grapes  is  conducted,  and the harvest for the entire  year is  blessed in  that  day.

 

 

 

 This material has  been  courteously  provided by the press service of the  Ararat Patriarchal  Diocese at       www.qahana.am