The Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God will be celebrated and traditional grape blessing ceremonies will be held across Armenian Prelacy of Canada churches following Divine Liturgy on the afternoon of August 16, 2016. His Grace Bishop Meghrig Parikian will preside over Divine Liturgy and the blessing ceremony at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Toronto.
One of the five major Feast Days of the Armenian Church, the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God commemorates Mary’s assumption into heaven, whereas the blessing of the grapes became part of this celebration due to their association to Jesus Christ and in thanksgiving to God as the first fruit of the harvest.