Matagh

In the Armenian Christian tradition, there is a practice known as matagh, involving the sacrificial offering of a lamb or rooster to God. This ritual originates from ancient pagan customs and continues to be observed in various parts of Armenia today. The chosen animals are typically slaughtered in front of churches.

Matagh is performed for several purposes: to seek forgiveness, to pray for good health, or simply as an offering to God. After the ritual, people gather at the site of the sacrifice to pray and share a meal made from the sacrificed animal. This meal is typically prepared as Khashlama—a simple stovetop dish with minimal spices—and is consumed before sundown.

A remarkable aspect of matagh is the tradition of sharing the meat among seven families, often including relatives or neighbors. Sometimes, matagh ceremonies are held as a means of expressing gratitude to God after surviving a near-death experience or another life-threatening event with a positive outcome.