Chapter III: Christian Folk Festivals

The second group of festivals comprises those newly created by the church, such as the Blessing of the Grapes, New Year, Easter, and Christmas. I wish also to include in this group a few of the peculiarly characteristic church ceremonies which also have a distinct festival value for the people, i.e., the ceremony of the "Washing of Feet" on Maundy Thursday, "Khatchanguist" or the "Blessing of Water," the consecration of the Katholikos, and the manufacture of the "holy oil."