The Fast of Catechumens begins today
Today marks the beginning of the Fast of Catechumens (Arachavorats) in the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church. This is the church’s first and unique fast, as it is specific only to the Armenian Church.
It is one of the 11 weekly fasts and lasts for five days—from Monday to Friday—three weeks before Great Lent.
The Fast of Catechumens was established by St. Gregory the Illuminator to prepare the Armenian people for baptism.
The primary goal is not only to abstain from food but also to renounce sins and bad habits, preparing spiritually for repentance before God. The symbolic significance of the five days of fasting is connected to both the repentance of St. Gregory the Illuminator and the Armenian people, as well as the concept of repenting for sins committed through the five human senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.
The Fast of Catechumens is followed by the Feast of Saint Sarkis, which is why it is often also referred to as the Fast of Saint Sarkis.