Artzeburst (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.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More