Armenians celebrated the holiday of Vardavar on July 27, throwing water on one another in the streets of Yerevan. Observed on the 14th Sunday after Easter, the festival is associated with the biblical Transfiguration of Jesus when he appeared before his disciples on Mount Tabor. But the water festival tradition predates Christianity, and was originally a celebration of the pagan deity Astghik, the goddess of water, beauty, love, and fertility. Today, Vardavar is largely an opportunity to cool off from the summer heat. (Photos by Photolure News Agency)