On December 28, 2012 the Armenia post introduced into circulation a postage stamp
devoted to the New Year and Christmas holidays. The issue is printed in mini sheet of 8 values with decorating margins. Artist: Vahagn Mkrtchyan. Photographer:: Ofelia Haroutyunyan
Printing:
offset. Size of stamps: 40 х 30
mm. Edition: 50 000 copies Printed in printing house "Cartor"
France.
TheNew Year celebration by Armenians has very long
tradition. According to the remained data the Armenians had three New Year's
holidays: Amanor, Navasard and January 1. Till XXV century BC the Armenians met the New year, the
called Amanor, on March 21 - in day of a spring equinox. The second New Year's holiday is Navasard. This holiday was
celebrated during ten centuries in Armenia on August 11. Navasard was devoted
to the seven Armenian pagan gods: In the XVIII century by the decree of Catholicos Simeon
Erevantsi January 1 began to be considered officially as the beginning of new
year. However, only at the beginning of the XX century the Armenians everywhere
passed to modern model of chronology.
