Unique Events

Grape Festival on Assumption Day

A long time ago in Armenia, a solemn ceremony took place every August in the vineyards, where the priest would walk in a procession carrying a pair of scissors in his right hand, and a cross in his left hand, and he would bless the vineyard and the grapes. After the ceremony, best wishes were exchanged among the parishioners for increased bounty. It was also customary to set aside a portion for the birds as well, for whom the grapes were hung from high perches, such as a lamppost or a stone monument.


Mid August was the beginning of harvest time, a time of rebirth and regeneration. The priest would ask God to bless the vines on which the grapes ripened, and would beseech Him to save the vineyards from evil in the form of hail, frost, high winds, and harmful insects.
This annual ritual had been repeated every year since the early settling of Armenia, much before Armenia accepted Christianity as its official religion in 301A.D. It was customary for all religions at that time to present the first fruits and nuts to the temple, so they would be blessed and then distributed by the pagan priests.

Vardavar

On the 98th Day after Easter (Sunday) in the Eastern Arthodox Church, Armenians celebrate Vardavar, which is also known as Vartavar or Vardavar. Vardavar is a special celebration where anyone (not just children) is free to soak others with water from spray guns, hoses or even buckets. It is not uncommon to see people pouring buckets of water from upper windows or balconies on unsuspecting people walking below them. The festival is extremely popular among children, as it is one day where they can get away with pulling pranks. It is also a means of refreshment on the usually hot and dry summer days of July. Although now celebrated as a Christian tradition, Vardavar's history goes back to pagan times.
The ancient festival was associated with the goddess Astghik - the goddess of water, beauty, love and fertility. As it usually falls in July, it is, of course, also associated with the first harvests of the year. The festivities associated with the observance of Astghik were named "Vardavar" because of the fact that Armenians offered roses to her ("vart" is the Armenian for rose) as part of the celebration.