Vardavar is a traditional Armenian holiday celebrated on the 98th day after Easter. In Armenia, it takes place on a large scale, as it is loved by the Armenian people, and is considered one of the main holidays of the Armenian Church. On this day, it is customary to pour water over each other, which in itself is relevant for the summer heat.
Vardavar holiday originates from the cult of the ancient Armenian pagan goddess Astghik, considered the goddess of love, water and fertility. It is from old beliefs that the tradition of pouring water and decorating houses with scarlet and orange flowers has been preserved. With the advent of Christianity, Vardavar was timed to the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which, according to biblical tradition, took place on Mount Tabor. So St. Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos of Armenia, established the celebration of the Transfiguration on August 11, which coincided with the first day of the month of the month on the pagan calendar. And on this day the pagan holiday Vardavar was celebrated, which later became as Christian as the day of Elijah the Prophet or Ivan Kupala.
Vardavar is celebrated in the morning. Everyone is trying to douse each other with water, despite the gender, age and position in society. And they do it from any available dishes in which flowers prepared for the celebration were kept until this day. According to an ancient tradition, one cannot be offended or express discontent, and the water on this day is considered especially healing. In addition, traditional chants, dances, games are organized, fairs and festivities are organized. People give each other flowers of scarlet or orange, try to decorate them with their homes, facades and roofs of houses. Lovers release pigeons: if a pigeon makes a circle three times over the house of her beloved, in the fall she will be married. In the mountainous regions of Armenia with their cool climate, the tradition of dousing with water is unpopular. Here, they mainly have fun, make distant pilgrimages to shrines and springs.
In ancient times, the feast of Vardavar was also accompanied by mass sacrifices, many of which took place in the temple of Astghik. In our time, the churches of Armenia hold holiday services on this day. Since Vardavar is also a feast of fertility, it is customary to collect ears of wheat from the fields and bless them in the church, protecting the future crop from hail and damage. From ears of wheat or flowers weave wreaths and toss them into the yards to neighbors and relatives. Bonfires are lit at night. Dancing around them and having fun, the most persistent meet the dawn.
