No major Vardavar celebrations planned in Gyumri this year, councilor says

Famous producer Ruben Mkhitaryan, a member of the Gyumri City Council, has announced that no large-scale Vardavar celebrations will be held in Vardanants Square of Armenia's second largest city this year.

In a social media post on Friday, Mkhitaryan revealed that plans had been made with the municipality to celebrate the Feast of Jesus Christ's Transfiguration (Vardavar) with grandeur and creative events aimed at attracting tourists, but they were cancelled due to the imprisonment of Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, the head of the Shirak Diocese.

"Celebrating this Christian holiday without the presence of our spiritual leader would be inappropriate and unbecoming to the faithful," Mkhitaryan stated.

He urged local residents and visitors to attend church services across the city and celebrate the holiday in their neighborhoods and courtyards, in keeping with tradition.

"God protect Archbishops Mikayel and Bagrat. Freedom to our spiritual fathers!" he added.