THE BLESSING OF THE GRAPES

Most of us can recall people who would Most of us can recall people who would refuse to eat grapes until a priest refuse to eat grapes until a priest

blessed the fruit. blessed the fruit. There is a day in the year when people There is a day in the year when people

buy the grapes before going to the buy the grapes before going to the church because on this special day church because on this special day

grapes enter the church as “forbidden grapes enter the church as “forbidden fruit” and leave it blessed. This festival fruit” and leave it blessed. This festival is a mixture of celestial and terrestrial, is a mixture of celestial and terrestrial, solemnity and familiarity, tradition and solemnity and familiarity, tradition and

modernity.modernity.

Armenian Apostolic Church is celebrating the feast Assumption of the Virgin Mary -The blessing of grapesArmenian Apostolic Church is celebrating the feast Assumption of the Virgin Mary -The blessing of grapes

Grapes do have a certain Christian symbolic Grapes do have a certain Christian symbolic significance, but for our ancestors it was a significance, but for our ancestors it was a

symbol of labor and recreation. Through the symbol of labor and recreation. Through the blessing, grape got divine significance. Our blessing, grape got divine significance. Our

clergymen had chosen grape for benediction clergymen had chosen grape for benediction since Christ blessed the wine made from grapes since Christ blessed the wine made from grapes

and gave it to his disciples as a symbol of his vital and gave it to his disciples as a symbol of his vital blood. Thus work, pleasure and worship were all blood. Thus work, pleasure and worship were all

brought together in this ceremony. The same brought together in this ceremony. The same blessed grape would become blessed wine, and blessed grape would become blessed wine, and from that very grape people preserved a bit for from that very grape people preserved a bit for the next year grape blessing ceremony as a sign the next year grape blessing ceremony as a sign

of richness and abundance.of richness and abundance.

On the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary, the Ceremony of On the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary, the Ceremony of the Blessing of the Grapes is conducted, and the harvest for the Blessing of the Grapes is conducted, and the harvest for

the entire year is blessed on that day.the entire year is blessed on that day.

Following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Holy Virgin remains in Jerusalem, and lives under the care of St. John the Evangelist.

For nearly 12 years, St. Mary lives by praying, fasting, and often visiting the empty tomb of her beloved Son.

During one such visit to the tomb, the Archangel Gabriel appears and gives her the news of her

imminent assumption to heaven. St. Mary relays the news to her relatives and all Christians, asking them to bury her in the

valley of Gethsemane. St. Mary also asks the Apostle John to celebrate a Divine Liturgy, so she may receive

Holy Communion one final time. After receiving Holy Communion, St. Mary returns to her room. As the Apostles prepare

to mourn her death, St. John asks the Mother of God to leave an image of her face on a board of wood.  St. Mary

takes the board, crosses herself and

brings it close to her face.  Moistening the board with her tears, she asks God that by means of the board,

people would be curedfrom disease.  As the Apostles surround St. Mary, an indescribable light appears.

The Son of God and the angels of heaven appear in the room. Seeing Christ, St. Mary dies.

Assumption of Holy Virgin

Assumption of Holy Virgin

St. Bartholomew the Apostle was absent and did not St. Bartholomew the Apostle was absent and did not participate in the burial service of St. Mary. Upon his participate in the burial service of St. Mary. Upon his return to Jerusalem, he wishes to see St. Mary for the return to Jerusalem, he wishes to see St. Mary for the last time. Per his request, the Apostles open the tomb, last time. Per his request, the Apostles open the tomb,

yet they do not find the remains of St. Mary.  According yet they do not find the remains of St. Mary.  According to His promise, Jesus Christ had delivered His mother to to His promise, Jesus Christ had delivered His mother to

His heavenly kingdom. The Apostles give the board of His heavenly kingdom. The Apostles give the board of St. Mary to St. Bartholomew for consolation.St. Mary to St. Bartholomew for consolation.

According to Moses of Khoren, St. Bartholomew brings the According to Moses of Khoren, St. Bartholomew brings the board to Armenia. It is kept in the Province of Andzav, board to Armenia. It is kept in the Province of Andzav, in a location called Darbnots. Years later, a church is in a location called Darbnots. Years later, a church is

built there in honor of St. Mary, and a convent is built there in honor of St. Mary, and a convent is opened.opened.

Bless, O Lord, these new fruits of the vine which Thou hast brought to maturity by the dew of heaven, by plentiful rains, and by tranquil and favorable weather. Thou hast given us this fruit for our use that we may receive it with thanks in

the name of our Lord JesusChrist, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end.

Amen.

Kind of Catholic Prayer for Grape blessing

Please join us for The Blessing of the Grapes! For more information about a celebration to bless the grapes,

please visit here :

ARMENIAN EVENTS – THE BLESSING OF THE GRAPES !

ARMENIAN GRAPE BLESSING TOUR !

THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION !!!

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