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104 The Armenian Church

of fasting: every day in Great Lent, every
day following the week of Pentecost, all
Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the
year, except during the Fifty Days (yinunk‘)
following Easter, the week before Theopha-
ny, the week of Catechumens preceding the
feast of St. Sarkis, the week before Easter,
i.e., Holy Week, the week before Transfigu-
ration, the week of the Discovery of the Relic
of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the week
before the Assumption, the week before the
Exaltation of the Cross, the week of Advent,
and the weeks of the start of spring, sum-
mer, autumn, and winter.
Within the context of fasting, the Great
Lent (mec pahk‘) has a special place. It pre-
cedes Palm Sunday and is extended over 40
days. The Sundays of the Great Lent are
named as follows: Sunday of Expulsion,
Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Sunday of Unjust
Steward, Sunday of Unjust Judge, Sunday of
Second Coming. During this period, the
Church calls the faithful, in addition to
fasting or abstaining from foods, to deepen
their faith through confession, repentance,
and meditation. For this purpose the veil
of the church conceals the altar, only some
of the candles are lit, the daily prayers of
sunrise, peace, and rest hours are performed,
and spiritual renewal becomes the focal point
of prayers, sermons, and biblical readings.
Pilgrimages organized on the occasion of