The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the five main “Tabernacle” feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church. It commemorates the transformation or the “transfiguration” that came over Jesus while He was praying.
Christ’s face shone like the sun and his clothes became a radiant and gleaming white.
The Apostles Peter, James and John witnessed that event which occurred on a high mountain named Tabor.
In the Armenian Church, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated 98 days following Easter. The Feast also is known by the common name of “Vardakas”. This day is associated with an old Armenian tradition of pouring water on one another. Some sources attribute the tradition as a remnant of an Armenian pre-Christian celebration. The Monday following the Feast is a Memorial Day.
Following the Divine Liturgy, all those faithful who carry the following names are invited to receive special blessing from the altar.
Vartges, Vartavar, Vart, Patrick, Alvart, Zarvart, Lousvart, Nevart, Baytzar, Vartanoush, Vartiter, Vartouhi, Varvaare, Sasvart.