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As the summer months roll in, so do the celebrations of the Armenian Water Festival, known as 'Vartavar,' which combines the words "vart" meaning "rose" and "var" meaning "shimmer" in Armenian.
Vartavar, one of the five major festivals observed by Armenians, has roots dating back to the story of Noah's Flood and has been commemorated for five thousand years.
The festival takes place with with places of worship adorned with beautiful roses, symbolizing the renewal of life after the devastating flood. What sets Vartavar apart is the playful tradition of water drenching, where people joyfully soak each other as a gesture of camaraderie and celebration.
Beyond its significance for Armenians, Vartavar has also found a place among the Hemshin community, who have embraced this joyful festival in the Eastern Black Sea Region.
Divinity and humanity
Reflecting on the meaning of Vartavar, Sahak Maşalyan, the Patriarch of the Armenians of Turkey, had explained its symbolic significance in an interview with Agos newspaper.
He explained that Vartavar represents a pivotal event in the life of Jesus Christ, where he revealed his divine nature. Jesus took three disciples to Mount Tabor, near Galilee, and underwent a transfiguration, surrounded by Moses and Elijah. This momentous occasion highlighted the divine presence within humanity, an act of revelation.
"Before his crucifixion, Jesus took three of his disciples to Mount Tabor near Galilee to pray. Before their eyes, Jesus transformed, radiating light, and suddenly, they saw Moses on one side and Elijah on the other. "Peter then suggested, 'Let's build three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'
"At that very moment, just like during the baptism, the sky was covered with a cloud of light, and a voice proclaimed, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'."
"The festival holds two meanings," Maşalyan explained. "One is the manifestation of divinity in Jesus, and the other is the revelation of humanity within him.
"This festival, known as 'Aylagerbutyun' (transfiguration) or 'Baydzaragerbutyun' (revelation), symbolizes the manifestation of the divine hidden within the humanity of Jesus Christ.
"The Armenian Apostolic Church exclusively uses the latter name. In fact, this festival holds two meanings: the unveiling of the divinity within Jesus and the unfolding of humanity within Jesus." (VC/VK)
