Garni and Geghard to host Vardavar festival
10.07.2015,
17:38
On July 12 the Garni pagan temple and the Christain Geghard monastery in Armenia’s Kotayk region will host Vardavar festival, traditionally associated with the goddess Astghik, who was the goddess of water, beauty, love and fertility in old Armenia, chairman of the Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia Atom Mkhitaryan, said today, according to panorama.am.
YEREVAN, July 10. / ARKA /. On July 12 the Garni pagan temple and the Christain Geghard monastery in Armenia’s Kotayk region will host Vardavar festival, traditionally associated with the goddess Astghik, who was the goddess of water, beauty, love and fertility in old Armenia, chairman of the Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia Atom Mkhitaryan, said today, according to panorama.am.
"Since this holiday is celebrated in summer, when a lot of foreign tourists visit Armenia we decided to make it international and chose the Christian Geghard monastery and the pagan temple of Garni as its venue,' he said, according to Armenpress.
Mkhitaryan said last year's festival attracted 150 tourists from 26 countries "This year, we expect their number to be much higher,' he said.
As part of the festival a festive liturgy will be conducted at Geghard monastery and the blessing of the youth. There will be also a concert and various funny games and merrymaking.
On July 12 the Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate also the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, one of the five great holidays of the Armenian Church and one of the most popular.
In the old times this day was celebrated as a pagan holiday, when people drenched water on each other and some of its elements penetrated into the Christianity. However, the Church relates the tradition with the Flood and the dove of Noah.
In the VI century Catholicos Movses II (574-604) included the feast of the Transfiguration in the Easter cycle setting it for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost. Thus, the holiday has become movable being celebrated from June 28 to August 1. -0-
"Since this holiday is celebrated in summer, when a lot of foreign tourists visit Armenia we decided to make it international and chose the Christian Geghard monastery and the pagan temple of Garni as its venue,' he said, according to Armenpress.
Mkhitaryan said last year's festival attracted 150 tourists from 26 countries "This year, we expect their number to be much higher,' he said.
As part of the festival a festive liturgy will be conducted at Geghard monastery and the blessing of the youth. There will be also a concert and various funny games and merrymaking.
On July 12 the Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate also the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, one of the five great holidays of the Armenian Church and one of the most popular.
In the old times this day was celebrated as a pagan holiday, when people drenched water on each other and some of its elements penetrated into the Christianity. However, the Church relates the tradition with the Flood and the dove of Noah.
In the VI century Catholicos Movses II (574-604) included the feast of the Transfiguration in the Easter cycle setting it for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost. Thus, the holiday has become movable being celebrated from June 28 to August 1. -0-
