A draft bill proposed by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation in the RoA National Assembly regarding a "national identity" holiday has drawn flack from religious circles. Today, at the "Hayeli Club" the issue was debated by ARF MP Alvard Petrosyan and Vardan Devrikyan, Chief Editor of the "Etchmiadzin" periodical. At issue is the draft bill proposed by the ARF that calls for making "Navasart" an official holiday of "national identity" on August 11th. Mr. Devrikyan stated that he viewed the celebration of the holiday on August 11th to be a crime since according to the church calendar the holiday of the Transfiguration of the Virgin Mary is celebrated during the period of August 12-18. He proposed that the holiday be called "Ancestor Remembrance Day" at that it be celebrated on the day of "Vardavar". He also stated that Vardavar or the celebration of the Transfiguartion could also be considered as national identity day. MP Petrosyan stated that a holiday devoted to Armenian national identity shouldn't contain religious overtones but rather should assist in the strengthening of national self-awareness. She added, "A holiday of national identity is all encompassing and tis is why the ARF proposed such a bill. In these times of crisis all peoples must seriously reflect on their national identity."