NEW YEAR IN ARMENIA

    In reality Santa Claus  has been  a clergyman. He  is one of  the most beloved  saints  of the Universal Church-Pontiff Nikoghayos( Nicholas the bishop). In   his time Greek pontiff  Nikoghayos  used  to  go  from  home to  home  and to  put  money  or  gifts on the windowsills   of the houses of the poor.  The  image of Santa Claus  derives  just from  that fact.  The translation  of Santa  Claus  means  St. Nikoghayos ( Nicholas ) .  That’s why  children  admit  the  gifts  of  Santa Claus  as God-granted  gifts.   For the  Armenian  nation the New  Year  is an appeal,  an  invitation  to  celebrate  a  feast.

  In  Christian sense  the new Year  is  a day  of special  analyses  when  all  deeds  done during  the year are  summarized  and  thought  over.

  The Feast  of the Holy Nativity  and Theophany  of Our  Lord  Jesus Christ  ( Christmas) ,  which  is the commemoration of the  Birth  and Baptism  of  Jesus  Christ,  is one  of the most important and beloved  feasts of  Christians throughout  the world. Both  by its essence  and sacrament Christmas  is  more  important  than  the  New year.  The New  Year is merely a change  of calendar  year  and has no sacrament. Whereas Christmas  itself  is the sacrament  of the Birth of the son of   god which  becomes a new and endless  beginning  for the mankind.  That’s why  it is already more than  2000  years  that  all  calendar  calculations are conditioned  by the Birth  of Christ  and are  divided into BC ( before the  birth  of Christ )  and AD ( Anno Domani  in the year since the  birth of Christ).

  The Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany  of Our Lord  Jesus  Christ ( Christmas ) is preceded  by  a fasting period starting  on December 30and  ending  in the evening of  January  5, when  a Candlelight  Divine  Liturgy  is  celebrated.  Any food of animal origin is  forbidden  during  that period.  Clergy  exhort the faithful  to  meet  the New Year in the Church, to  ponder over  the spiritual state and  to receive  God’s  blessing.

  By the order of His Eminence  Archbishop Navasard  Ktchoyan, Vicar  of  Araratian  Patriarchal  Diocese,  on the night from  December 1 to January 1  all  central  churches  of Yerevan  will be open till 2.00 a. m.

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

Intoxicating tradition

     It is agreeable  to your palate, it creates  mood,  it soothes  your  soul and clears your mind…

  Wine-making  has been  one of Armenia’s calling cards forever.

 However, to be able to share in the mystery of wine-making, one would have  to at least peek in through the crack  in the secret  door of vilification or enology.  To do that, you do not necessarily  have to wander through  various  departments of a wine factory.  All you need to do is  just partake  in one of the traditional  festivities  of wine-making  held  in Armenia annually.  Observing  the ancient ritual of wine creation will help imprint  the flavor and fragrance  of the divine beverage in your memory and imagination.  The gigantic wooden containers filled with sun-flavored ripe grapes will transform  into an immortal fluid under the feet of the beautiful  young women.

  Wine intoxicates the fools, but inspires the sages…

DAY:3

More  Vegas  freebies

  Vegas  offers plenty more affordable  activities.  There are the fountain shows at the Bellagio Hotel and Caesars Palace, the brilliant  lights and booming sounds of the  Fremont Street Experience, the Sirens of Treasure island  pirate  battles, and the volcano at the Mirage Hotel. While at the Mirage, the white tigers are also always good for a gawk,  as well as the wildlife habitats  at The Flamingo and at the MGM Grand Hotel. Here are some other frugal  ways to spend a day: 

Hit the clubs  on an  off day

   For example,  there  is usually no  cover charge at  the Voo Doo Lounge on Sunday  nights  since the place isn’t as “happening” as  it is on other days of the week. Some clubs also have restaurants where you can eat first,  then stay longer and not pay a cover charge. Just ask,  and you may receive.

 Golf outside the strip

  Don’t  even try to golf at the hotel-chain courses.  In most such instances,  you need to be a guest to play on the course. And even as a guest,  you’ll still need to dish out about $500  for 18 holes. And why do that when a short drive beyond the Strip will find you  quality courses for a fraction of the cost?

   Extra economical  tips

Use the concierge. The concierge is there to help.  He  can really assist you in finding the best deals for  tickets to shows,  nightclubs,  restaurants, and more. Remember to tip your concierge for his assistance.

 Ask a local

      Locals can suggest deals and attractions “ off the beaten path”, like  high-quality restaurants that are close to the Strip and  not too expensive. If you can charm some local ladies into partying with you, bringing them to certain places on certain nights can translate  into free drinks and cover charges.

Dress  sharp

  If you really have to ask why you should  put a bit of effort into your appearance, just check  out the herds of retirees in  their matching warm-up  suits. Try  to  be  comfortable  and look your  best  at  the same  time.  Sometimes the  illusion  of  wealth  can  make  others believe your  part  of the “in”    crowd,  and  you might get  away with  some special  treatment  at  clubs,  restaurants  and on the casino floor.  Since you’ll  be on your  feet  for extended periods,  break  in your new  shoes well  before the trip.

  Viva Las Vegas

 Remember! You could easily drop your life savings on a single game at just one casino,  but with a  little planning you can  have a great time  in Las Vegas and still  have open bank accounts  when you return to the real world.