Matagh

In many regions of Armenia today, this practice is very much alive in the regular slaughter of chosen animals in front of churches.

People generally gather at the house where the Matagh was done, where they pray and eat the meat.

Vazken Movsesian states, Matagh is "not a magical incantation, and the Armenian Church does not condone that kind of thing.

"[2] Most Armenians consider it a simple recognition of thanks to God and to give food and alms to the poor and needy, as a means of "paying it forward.

In many cases a Matagh takes place as an act of thanksgiving to God after an accident or other life-threatening event with a good outcome.

Matagh of a rooster at the entrance of a monastery church ( Alaverdi , Armenia , 2009), with inset of bloody steps.