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Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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(Armenian, a messengesr) is a name given in the Greek Church to the Wednesday and Friday in the eleventh week before Easter, which are not observed as fasts, although these days are so observed in every other week throughout the year. The following account is given of the origin of this practice. A favorite dog which served in the capacity of messenger to some Armenian heretics having died, its owners immediately accused the orthodox Greeks of having caused the animal's death. The Armenians set apart the two days above mentioned as fast-days in commemoration of the dog's services, and as a public testimony of their unfeigned sorrow for his untimely end. The Greeks, that they might not even seem to conform to this practice of the Armenian heretics, were excused by the Greek Church from fasting on those two days.