The Feast of the Transfiguration; Baydzaragerbootiun
Archbishop Papken will deliver Divine Liturgy
at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Vancouver

Today, His Eminence Archbishop Papken Tcharian will deliver Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Vancouver.

Referred to as Baydzaragerbootiun, the Feast of the Transfiguration is one of the five principal feasts of the Armenian Church, so named because of Christ’s luminous appearance.  In Armenia, it is also known as Vartavar after the old pagan feast, which it replaced.
The feast marks Christ’s appearance with a resplendent countenance to three of His disciples, Peter, John, and James, on the holy mountain of Galilee, also known as Mount Tabor.
The ancient festival of Vartavar (the Festival of Roses) is traditionally associated with the goddess Astghik, who was the goddess of water, beauty, love and fertility.
The festivities associated with this religious observance of Astghik were named “Vartavar” because Armenians offered her roses as a celebration (“vart” means “rose” in and “var” mean “rise”). Vartavar is currently celebrated about 98 days after Easter.