A system and method for nitridizing a glass article includes supplying a source of a nitridizing gas including gaseous NH3 to a glass article supported within a furnace assembly and heating the glass article. In some embodiments, the system includes a handle assembly configured to support the glass article within the furnace assembly and a gas supply conduit carried by the handle and configured to supply the nitridizing gas to the glass article. In some embodiments, a method of nitridizing a glass article includes supplying the nitridizing gas such that a residence time of the nitridizing gas at temperatures greater than 500° C. corresponds to a predetermined time period. In some embodiments, a method of nitridizing a glass article includes supplying the nitridizing gas such that the glass articles is exposed to the nitridizing gas within a contact time tc.