A CHRISTMAS TRADITION ARMENIAN FESTIVITIES BEGINNING TONIGHT.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Christmas gifts have been opened, wrappings discarded and trees stripped of their decorations and left on the curb, but many Armenians will begin to celebrate Christ's birth tonight.

Even though others in the Christian world recognize the birth of Christ on Dec. 25, Armenians have long celebrated the event on Jan. 6.

Members of the Armenian Church chose to remain faithful to the traditions of their forefathers and celebrate the event on the date still recognized by most orthodox churches.

``We stood firm in our convictions and our faith by not changing the celebration of Christ's birth and standing by the original date,'' said the Rev. Muron Aznikian of St. Illuminators Church in New York.

Tonight, Armenians who recognize the tradition will get together with their families and have a traditional Christmas Eve meal of western Armenian foods including fish - long a symbol of Christianity - and vegetarian dishes like ``nivik,'' a fritata-like dish prepared with different herbs, vegetables and eggs.

The holidays span a three-week period for most Armenians who celebrate Christmas Eve on the 24th, open gifts on Dec. 31 when Santa Claus visits their homes and have a traditional Armenian Christmas dinner on Jan. 5.

Many Armenians living in America have tried to incorporate the culture's traditions into American customs, creating a hodgepodge tradition.

``We kind of celebrate a little bit of everything because that's what gives us the complete picture,'' said Glendale resident Tamar Tujian. ``I think it's beautiful and I think the kids appreciate it because it's fun celebrating many times.''

Continuing to recognize Jan. 6 reflects a desire to maintain a cultural identity and Armenian traditions, Aznikian said.

``We celebrate on the 25th. We honor, we respect, we participate in the Dec. 25 celebrations and festivities,'' Aznikian said. ``On the other hand, we keep our own national traditions that go back 2,000 years and our identity.''

Tujian said at times it's difficult to explain to her two young children why Santa Claus has already visited their friends and has yet to drop by their house to give them their gifts, but she feels it's important for them to understand and appreciate the differences in traditions.

``That's the way we were brought up and we try to maintain that tradition,'' Tujian said. ``I just can't imagine giving up celebrating Christmas and New Year's as we do. To me, it's the whole heritage that's passed on from my parents. There's always challenges to preserving it, but you don't question it.''

Ultimately, the date on which people choose to celebrate Christmas is less important than recognizing the spirit and the meaning of the holiday, Aznikian said.

``It's not important the dates we celebrate the birth of Christ,'' he said. ``What's most important is how we give place to God in our lives and how we manage our lives to receive God.''

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Zovik Hagopian of Glendale picks up a newly delivered smoked whitefish from ANI Armenian Grocery Market employee Mahis Martirosan. The Armenian community will begin Christmas celebrations tonight.

(2) no caption (Fish)

John Lazar/Staff Photographer