On This Day

Origin of Armenian calendar

The Armenian calendar is the calendar traditionally used in Armenia, primarily during the medieval ages.

The Armenian calendar is the calendar traditionally used in Armenia, primarily during the medieval ages. Since 1918, the civil calendar in Armenia is the Gregorian calendar.

The Armenian calendar was based on an invariant year length of 365 days. Because a solar year is about 365.25 days and not 365 days, the correspondence between the Armenian calendar and both the solar year and the Julian calendar slowly drifted over time, shifting across a year of the Julian calendar once in 1,461 calendar years (see Sothic cycle). Thus, the Armenian year 1461 (Gregorian & Julian 2011) completed the first Sothic cycle, and the Armenian Calendar was one year off.

In A.D. 352, tables compiled by Andreas of Byzantium were introduced in Armenia to determine the religious holidays.

Historical Significance

The Armenian calendar is the calendar traditionally used in Armenia, primarily during the medieval ages.

Events Before

  1. Ostrogoths of King Totila conquer Rome by bribing the Byzantine garrison during the Gothic War

    Ostrogoths of King Totila conquer Rome by bribing the Byzantine garrison during the Gothic War

  2. Gothic War (535-552): The Ostrogoths, under King Totila, conquer Rome after a long siege, by bribing the Isaurian garris

    Gothic War (535-552): The Ostrogoths, under King Totila, conquer Rome after a long siege, by bribing the Isaurian garrison

Events After

  1. Second Council of Constantinople (5th ecumenical council) opens

    The Second Council of Constantinople is the fifth of the first seven ecumenical councils recognized by both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church.

  2. Moon Jaguar becomes the 10th ruler of the Maya city of Copán (modern Honduras), will reign for 25 years

    Moon Jaguar becomes the 10th ruler of the Maya city of Copán (modern Honduras), will reign for 25 years

  3. Ravenna becomes the seat of the Byzantine military governor in Italy

    Ravennaa] ; Romagnol: Ravèna, Ravêna) is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy.

  4. Vigilius ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    Vigilius ends his reign as Catholic Pope

  5. Pelagius I begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    Pelagius I begins his reign as Catholic Pope

More from the 550s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 10, 552?
The Armenian calendar is the calendar traditionally used in Armenia, primarily during the medieval ages. Since 1918, the civil calendar in Armenia is the Gregorian calendar. The Armenian calendar was based on an invariant year length of 365 days.
Why is Origin of Armenian calendar significant?
The Armenian calendar is the calendar traditionally used in Armenia, primarily during the medieval ages.

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