Grape Blessing Ceremonies Held Across Prelacy Churches

Traditional grape blessing ceremonies were held across Armenian Prelacy of Canada churches following Divine Liturgy on the afternoon of August 17, 2008.

His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate, presided over the special ceremony in honour of the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Toronto.

This sacramental ceremony, which is one of the five major Feast Days of the Armenian Church, is also known as the Feast of the Dormition of Mary and commemorates Mary's assumption into heaven, just like her Son, Jesus Christ.

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.

In Montreal, His Eminence Archbishop Souren Kataroyan presided over Divine Liturgy and the blessing ceremony at Sourp Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church. Archpriest Hrair Nicolian led the rite at Laval’s Sourp Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church, Very Rev. Fr. Housig Mardirossian for Vancouver’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, and in Cambridge, Very Rev. Fr. Sipan Ketchedjian headed the service at Sourp Nishan Armenian Apostolic Church.

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