Armenian church commemorates Ark of the Covenant
The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the Ark of the Covenant (Tabernacle of the Old Testament) and the Feast of the New Holy Church on Saturday 6 July.
The Ark of the Covenant is the most sacred sanctity of the Old Testament. It consisted of a pure gold covered wooden chest with an elaborate lid called the Mercy seat. The Ark is described in the Book of Exodus as containing the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. According to the New Testament Book of Hebrews, it also contained Aaron’s crosier (rod) and a golden urn full of manna.
The Christian church is considered to be the prototype of the New Testament, that is, the Church of Christ (New Holy Church).
These two combined commemorations take place on the Saturday prior to the Feast of the Transfiguration (Vardavar).