The Feast of the Transfiguration (Baydzaragerboutioun) is one of the five principal feasts of the Armenian Church, so named because of Christ’s luminous appearance to His disciples Peter, John and James on Mount Tabor.
Archpriest Father Norayr Patanian was the celebrant on Sunday 24 July 2022, as the church commemorated this beloved feast, also known as Vartavar, after the old pagan feast it replaced.
The pre-Christian festival was held in honour of Asdghig, the goddess of water, beauty, fertility and love. People used to sprinkle water on each other and held festivities in the hopes of bringing rain for the crops.
This tradition now forms part of the Feast of Transfiguration as the clergy blessed the congregation by sprinkling water throughout the Antasdan service.
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5) ![?](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t1f/2/16/1f64f.png)
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