On June 7, at 11.00-17.00-in Lovers' Park will host "Vardavar 2013" event, which aims to revive popular holiday for national customs and traditions.
The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the five main «Tabernacle» feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church 
This material has been courteously provided by the press service of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese at www.qahana.am
The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the five main «Tabernacle» feasts of the
Evangelists St. Matthew, St. Mark and St. Luke testify about the transfiguration of Jesus in the Gospels (Matthew 17:1-13; mark 9:1-12, Luke 9:28-36).
… As they looked on, a change came over Jesus: his face was shining like the sun and his clothes were dazzling white. Then the three disciples saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. So peter spoke up and said to Jesus, « Lord, how good it is that we are here! If you wish i will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah». While he was talking, a shining cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, «This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased-listen to him!» When the disciples heard the voice, they were so terrified that they threw themselves face downward on the ground. Jesus came to them and touched them. «Get up, « he said. « don't be afraid!» So they looked up and saw no one there but Jesus. (Matthew 17:2-8)
In the Armenian church, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated 98 days after Easter. It is a movable holiday and may occur during the period from June 28 to August 1. The Feast is also known by the common name of «Vardavar». This day is an ancient ritual dating back 4-5 millennia, established by the Forefather Noah, and is associated with an old Armenian tradition of pouring water on one another. On that day, Armenians weave wreathes of colorful flowers, especially red roses ( in Armenian « vard») to decorate their temples and churches. They also swim in rivers and release doves in remembrance of Noah and the deliverance from the deluge. Just as before the Feast of the Holy Mother's Transfiguration, when people are not allowed to eat grapes, people are not allowed to eat apples, the tradition know as «Apple Feast». In various regions of Armenia Vardavar is celebrated with a variety of festivities. According to the national tradition, on the night of Vardavar, divine light descends on the tombs of the saints and whoever witnesses it will have his most sacred dreams fulfilled. Some sources attribute the tradition as a remnant of an Armenian pre-Christian celebration. The Monday following the feast is a Memorial Day. Masses are served in churches on that day followed by liturgical rituals, after which people pay visits to their relatives' graves.
