[13] See p. 30 of this thesis, note 32.
[14] Ormanian p. 74.
[15] Ibid.
For the relation of the church to the Turkish and Russian Governments see Lynch 1:269, also Ubicini, Letters on Turkey.
Chapter II
Pagan Folk Festivals
Section 1. Vartavar and the Festival of Mihr
Vartavar, meaning “flaming of the rose,” was celebrated in pagan times in honor of Anahit, goddess of chastity, at midsummer. The central act of the festival was the offering of a dove and a rose to her golden image. With the introduction of Christianity the temple and the image were destroyed, and it may be noted that upon the site of the Temple of Anahit in Vagharshapat was built the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin. This would lead to the strange conclusion that in the vision of St. Gregory, Jesus Christ descended upon a pagan temple. The fact seems to be that this marvelous vision was seen by a pious monk who published a life of St. Gregory some two or three centuries after the Illuminator’s death.[1] But the festival became the “Festival of the Transfiguration of Christ,” although the name Vartavar still remains, and doves are still set flying.[2]