Today is the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God – Grape Blessing

Today is the Grape Blessing, an ancient celebration dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and the fourth of the five major feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

On this occasion, a divine liturgy will be held in churches, after which the grapes will be blessed.

According to tradition, some time after the Ascension of Christ, the angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary to inform her that she would soon meet her Son again. Saint Mary ascended to the Mount of Olives, from where her Son had ascended, prayed, then called her friends and bid farewell. That night, her soul departed from her body.