The hymn Park Sourp Khatchit (Glory to Your Sacred Cross) is sung; Biblical passages are recited, followed by a prayer composed by Catholicos Nerses Shnorhali specifically for this occasion. They became a way to express the unique image of our nation and church. Armenians use wine during all rituals as Armenia is the homeland of wine. St. Sahag Partev sanctified the practice, and St. Nerses the Graceful established it as a formal service with readings from the Gospel, the prophets, and the apostles, as well as a special prayer of consecration. From the prayer written by Catholicos Nerses Shnorhali for the Blessing of the Grapes). That fire was lit at night when the color of the grapes changed. On Wednesday, Father Movses Shannakian was joined by a dozen ministers as they visited Adventist Health Glendale, formerly Glendale Adventist Medical Center, to partake in the annual Blessing of the Grapes ceremony. In the Armenian Church, grapes are traditionally privileged over other fruits to be blessed as the first fruit of the harvest. Indeed, He is profoundly moved by even the most ordinary experiences of life: our private troubles and our simple pleasures, the longings of our hearts and bodies, our gentle affection for family and friends. These and other facts have given scientists a right to declare about the Armenian origin of grapes. Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God- Grape Blessing | Armenian Apostolic Church. Join us in worship this Sunday. Grape has the symbolic significance, as considered as "forbidden fruit", the case with the Vardavar, and people must refuse to eat grapes until priest blessed the fruit. With dawn, the congregation would begin preparing to the feast day. On the Monday after the Blessing of the Grapes, or "Khaghogh Orhnek, " it is traditional to honor the dead by going to the cemetery.
It is noteworthy that the Armenian Church commemorates the memory of the deceased on the Monday following the five major feasts with a Divine Liturgy. St. Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church | Glendale, CA. Location: Areni, Vaitsdzor Province. According to the data of the Union of Armenian Winemakers, today about 40 winemaking companies produce more than 100 varieties of wine in Armenia. Armenian Traditions. In churches after the mass when the priests bless the grape every present member of it gets blessed grape and takes them home. After the ritual, the locals start to make the tasty Armenian wine. The "Blessing of the Grapes" is one of the most beloved ceremonies in the Armenian Church calendar. Sunday, August 17, more than 150 faithful came to St. John Church to celebrate The feast day of the Assumption of St. Armenian Church in Fresno marks 100th year of blessing grapes –. Mary. Donations in lieu of Grapes are being collected. When I was a young child, my mother would take me to the annual Blessing of the Grapes Armenian ceremony and picnic every August. They will distribute them to the deacons and others. "
Special services of thanksgiving were conducted by priests in the temple, a tradition that prevailed to the time of Christ. Roman historians tell that, in the first century, Nero tasted the chrism that was sent from Armenia and became happy. Blessing of grapes armenian church in glendale. Once again, the simple, human love of child for parent is given that "spark of the divine, " by being reflected in God Himself. The locals say that "Blessed grape is tastier". Long before 301 A. D., when Christianity was adopted as the religion of Armenia, priests went out into the vineyards at the beginning of the grape harvest to bless the grapes and the harvest, clippers in one hand, cross in the other. All this proves that the roots of Armenian winemaking are really deep and winemaking in the Ararat Valley has a centuries-old history.
Some of the ancient Armenian customs were transferred to the Armenian Church, since the Armenians could not forget their long-standing customs. St Vartan Armenian Church. During the ceremony of the grapes' consecration, the believers ask God to bless the grape seeds to let them bring people physical and spiritual tranquility. Blessing of grapes armenian church and state. According to tradition, following the Ascension of Christ, Mary lived out the rest of her days in Jerusalem, cared for by St. John the Evangelist. After the Flood, our ancestor Noah planted a vineyard in the valley on the slopes of Mt. The clergyman then reads a prayer, blesses the grapes three times, after which the grapes are given out to the people.
For curious travelers, it remains a worthwhile tradition to visit and will feel as if you are in a different country. Second, the grape was the national symbol of Israel and at the same time a symbol of peace.