19 Aug Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God

On Sunday, August 18, the Armenian Church will observed the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God, which commemorates how St. Mary was taken up in body and soul, or “assumed,” into heaven. This was performed by Christ many years after His Ascension as a loving tribute to the mother who bore and raised him.
On this feast day, the Blessing of Grapes service took place immediately after the Divine Liturgy. The service is rich in symbolism and emphasizes the important role of the Virgin Mary in the revelation of God.
The blessing of the grapes became part of this celebration due to their association to Jesus Christ in numerous biblical references and in thanksgiving to God as the first fruit of the harvest.
His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate, presided at St. Mary Armenian Church and delivered Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 18.