Navasard

 


The ancient Armenian New Year is celebrated from August 11th-September 9th.

It is the first month of the Armenian calendar, marking the start of a new cycle.

The Navasardian deity represents the new harvest and hospitality, protector of the crops and feeder of the hungry.

Festivities include athletic games, such as horse racing, hunting, and fire jumping.


The great center of Navasard was the temple in Bagavan.


Today it is considered a pagan sanctuary, but Christianity did take it over.  It was pillaged in 1877, and then destroyed completely in 1915 during the Armenian genocide.

St. Hovhannes Cathedral was later built on the site.



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