Armenian memorial days: 7, 40, and the anniversary

The Armenian Apostolic Church maintains a memorial calendar similar in skeleton to Orthodox practice but with distinct prayers and gestures. For diaspora families with relatives in Uzbekistan — and there's a small but historically rooted Armenian community there — this is the practical reference.

Day 7: a short hokehangist service in church on the seventh day after burial. Hokehangist is the requiem prayer for the soul of the departed. Family attends; close friends optional. After the service, families typically visit the cemetery.

Day 40 (Quaranta in some Armenian dialects): the major post-burial service. Longer hokehangist; sometimes a hogejhash (memorial meal) at the family home or in the church hall. The 40th day marks the end of active mourning per Armenian custom.

Anniversary (tareliats): annual memorial service in church, plus cemetery visit. Red carnations (the Armenian memorial flower), a brass candle, sometimes a small bottle of Armenian cognac as a memorial gesture.

Other significant Armenian dates. April 24 — Genocide Memorial Day. Families with ancestors who fled the 1915 genocide and ended up in Uzbekistan may schedule a special visit on this day. Hokejhash (Pentecost-related All Souls' Day) — broader Armenian all-souls commemoration; less universally observed.

Khachkar visit. The khachkar (cross-stone) is the characteristic Armenian grave marker. Visit etiquette: place a small stone or a single red carnation; light a candle; recite the Lord's Prayer in Armenian (Հայր մեր) or in Russian/English. Some families bring a small Bible or hymnal and read a Psalm.

From abroad. We coordinate with the Armenian Apostolic Church in Tashkent for hokehangist services; provide photo/video from the cemetery on the date you set. Most diaspora Armenian families schedule day 7, day 40, anniversary, and April 24 — 4 events per year on a standard subscription.