New Year (or Navasard) is celebrated on the eve of the last day of the year and the first day of the new year in the calendar. Most of the countries (including Armenia) celebrate New Year on January 1, which, according to the Gregorian calendar, is the first day of the year. It is lavishly celebrated throughout Armenia with families preparing for weeks and sometimes even months for an extravagant New Year table full of traditional dishes. Throughout the holidays, which end right after Christmas, families visit each other to toast well wishes.
Armenians celebrate Christmas on January the 6th. Celebrations start on Christmas Eve with church services from where the congregation takes blessed water and lighted candles home. The evening continues with traditional Christmas dinner of fish and rice pilaf with raisins. On Christmas Day, Devine Liturgy takes place in all the churches.
