St. Sarkis Day: Armenia's Romantic Valentine's Day

St. Sarkis Day, celebrated in late January or early February, serves as Armenia's equivalent to Valentine's Day. This charming holiday blends religious commemoration with romantic folk traditions, particularly the famous salty cookie custom. ## Who Was St. Sarkis? St. Sarkis (Surb Sarkis) was a Roman military commander who converted to Christianity in the 4th century. He served in the Roman army with his son Martiros, and both were martyred for refusing to renounce their faith. According to tradition, St. Sarkis was known for his handsomeness and bravery—qualities that made him an appropriate patron for romantic love. The Armenian Church commemorates him 63 days before Easter. ## The Salty Cookie Tradition The most beloved St. Sarkis Day custom involves salty cookies (aghi kurabia). The ritual works as follows: 1. On the eve of St. Sarkis Day, elderly women (typically grandmothers) bake extremely salty cookies 2. Single young people eat the cookies before bed without drinking water 3. Their thirst causes them to dream 4. The person who brings them water in their dream will be their future spouse Young people take this tradition seriously, eagerly discussing their dreams the next morning. Some claim the tradition works; others simply enjoy the romance and mystery. ## Other Romantic Customs Additional St. Sarkis Day traditions include: **Leaving food for St. Sarkis's horse**: Some families leave a plate of food outside overnight for St. Sarkis's white horse. A disturbed plate in the morning means the saint visited and will grant wishes. **Weather divination**: Snow on St. Sarkis Day is considered auspicious for lovers, promising happiness to those who marry in the coming year. **Gift giving**: Couples exchange small gifts, similar to Western Valentine's Day customs. ## Church Observance The religious commemoration includes church services honoring St. Sarkis as a martyr and military saint. The faithful light candles and pray for his intercession, both for personal matters and for Armenia's protection. The dual nature of the holiday—religious commemoration and romantic tradition—reflects how Armenian Christianity absorbed and transformed folk customs. ## Comparison with Valentine's Day While similar to Western Valentine's Day in its romantic focus, St. Sarkis Day has distinctive elements: - It's tied to a specific saint's feast day - The salty cookie tradition has no Western equivalent - The emphasis on dreams and destiny differs from Western gift-giving - The date varies based on Easter, not fixed on February 14th Some young Armenians now celebrate both St. Sarkis Day (traditional) and February 14th (global Valentine's Day). ## Modern Celebrations In contemporary Armenia, St. Sarkis Day has experienced revival. Bakeries sell salty cookies; restaurants offer special menus; flower sales increase. The holiday provides a distinctively Armenian way to celebrate romance. Social media fills with posts about dreams and cookie-eating experiences. The tradition adapts to modern life while maintaining its essential elements. ## Diaspora Observance Armenian diaspora communities often celebrate St. Sarkis Day, with grandmothers baking traditional salty cookies and young people eagerly participating in the dream tradition. The holiday connects diaspora youth to Armenian culture through engaging, memorable customs. ## Tips for Celebrating If you want to try the salty cookie tradition: - Get a traditional recipe (the cookies should be very salty) - Eat one before bed - Don't drink anything! - Sleep with intention to remember your dreams - Share your dreams the next morning Whether or not you meet your future spouse in dreams, the tradition creates connection to Armenian culture and enjoyable romantic anticipation.