Vardavar Celebration in Gyumri Will Not Be Held with Grandeur

This year, a grand event for Vardavar will not be organized at Vardanants Square in Gyumri due to the imprisonment of the spiritual leader of Shirak, Bishop Mikael. Ruben Mkrtchyan, a member of the 'My Powerful Community' faction of the Gyumri City Council, posted this on his Facebook page.

“We had planned to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ and Vardavar in a grand fashion with unique solutions together with the Gyumri Municipality, which would have ensured a significant influx of tourists to Gyumri. However, considering the political imprisonment of the spiritual leader of Shirak and deeming it inappropriate to celebrate this Christian holiday without our bishop's presence, we have decided to refrain from organizing a grand event for Vardavar at Gyumri’s Vardanants Square,” wrote Mkrtchyan.

He urged fellow citizens and visitors to participate in the holy liturgy of the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ in Gyumri’s churches, and to celebrate Vardavar in their yards and neighborhoods.

“God protect Bishops Mikael and Bagrat. Freedom to our spiritual fathers,” Mkrtchyan concluded.