Summer Celebrations · Week 34

Vartavar

Վարդարառ

feast

For younger children (5-6), focus on the vocabulary cards and repetition. For older children (8-10), engage with the discussion questions and encourage them to use the words in sentences.

🙏 Opening Prayer

Read together, slowly.

Տէր Աստուած, օրհնեա́ մեզ.

Der Asdvadz, orhnyal mez.

Lord God, bless us.

📖 This Week's Story

One of the most fun Armenian holidays is Vartavar! On this day, people splash water on each other — even strangers! It's a day of joy and laughter. But why water? Vartavar celebrates the Transfiguration — "Paytsarrakerpootyoon" — when Jesus went up a mountain with three of his disciples. Suddenly, his face and clothes began to shine brighter than the sun! Moses and Elijah appeared beside him, and God's voice said: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!" The disciples saw Jesus in his true glory — full of light and power. The water splashing on Vartavar reminds us of this light and joy!

📝 Vocabulary

Լեռ

Lerr

Mountain

Jesus shone on the lerr.

Փայլել

Paylel

To shine

Jesus paylel brighter than the sun.

Ջուր

Joor

Water

We splash joor on Vartavar!

Փառք

Park

Glory

We saw God's park on the mountain.

🎮 Activity

game

If outdoors, have a gentle water-splashing activity (use spray bottles or cups)! Explain this is the Armenian Vartavar tradition.

1Why do Armenians splash water on Vartavar?
2What does the Transfiguration mean?

🙏 Closing Prayer

Փառք քեզ, Տէր. Ամէն.

Park kez, Der. Amen.

Glory to you, Lord. Amen.

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