Note 326 — Chapter IV
Reading edition
Footnote 326
:
(return)
Cirbied, "Mémoire sur la gouvernment et sur la religion des anciens Arméniens," Mémoires publiées par la Société Royale des Antiquaires de France, ii. (1820) pp. 285-287; Manuk Abeghian, Der armenische Volksglaube (Leipsic, 1899), pp. 72-74. The ceremony is said to be merely a continuation of an old heathen festival which was held at the beginning of spring in honour of the fire-god Mihr. A bonfire was made in a public place, and lamps kindled at it were kept burning throughout the year in each of the fire-god's temples.