About the

Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God

The story of the Assumption is beautifully narrated in the Armenian Orthodox hymn “From the Highest Heavens - Arevelk Kerarpi” (excerpt):

After the Holy Mother of God lived in Jerusalem for 15 years, she died. All the Apostles performed the funeral, except for Bartholomew which included a procession to bury the Holy Mother of God in the Garden of Gethsemane. After three days and nights of angelic voices at the tomb, Bartholomew arrived and desired to see the Holy Mother one last time. He pleaded with the Apostles to open the tomb...and they found it empty. They determined she had not died, but was awakened by the angelic voices and taken to heaven as Christ had promised.

It is for this reason that the Armenian Church calls the entombment of the Holy Mother of God the “Dormition - N’nchoom’n” which means to sleep. This doctrine of the Assumption was adopted by the Church by the ninth, but no later than the twelfth century. It is one of the five major feast days (daghavar) of the Church, and comprises a week of fasting (navagadik) and a memorial day on the Monday which follows.

On the Blessing of Grapes

Relating the wine of the Holy Eucharist (Communion/blood of Christ) and the concept of Christ being the “fruit of the womb”, as well as numerous other biblical references, the Church incorporated the blessing of grapes as the “first fruits of the harvest” in the celebration of the Assumption, and in thanksgiving to God.

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Sunday Worship:

Morning Services - 9:30AM
Divine Liturgy - 10AM
[Requiem Services are not offered on this feast day.]

Fellowship Hour is offered on most Sundays following Services

All are Welcome