Vardavar is Celebrated in Armenia Today

The Armenian Apostolic Church today commemorates the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, which is popularly known among the people as Vardavar.

Vardavar, or the Transfiguration of Christ, is one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The feast is celebrated 98 days after Easter, during the period from June 28 to August 1. This year, it is celebrated today, July 11.

The history of the feast dates back to pagan times. Since ancient times, in July, after completing the main farming work and gathering the harvest, it was customary to organize a large celebration, blessing and making sacrifices to the forces that protect the fields.

Vardavar is a feast of the transfiguration, thus the following day is commemorated as the Day of the Dead. The working day can be considered non-working or moved to another day by government decision, however, this year no such decision has been made by the government. Thus, July 12, which is Monday, will be a working day.