Today marks Assumption Day

An ancient church holiday, this feast, dedicated to Virgin Mary, is widely popular as the day of blessing grapes.

For comments on the day’s message and its changing perceptions, Tert.am has talked to Armenuhi Stepanyan, an ethnographer who describes Assumption as one of the most joyous folk feasts dating from the pre-Christian times.

“Leaving fruit as a gift to divinities is an ancient custom. Historian Agathangelos (4th-5th centuries AD) pointed to a tradition of leaving fresh twigs, plants and fruit by the statue of Goddess Anahit during feasts dedicated to her,” she explained.

The ethnographer said she regrets that despite remaining popular, the Assumption Day is no longer celebrated with the one-time splendor. 

“In the ancient times, the Armenians would take grape to church on trays for blessing, as they believed that the fruit was not allowed to buy, to sell or to taste without blessing. Now they eat it before the Blessing of Grape. People did believe that grape gave them special power after the ceremony of blessing. And they would treat one another to grape right there in church, doing their first tasting of the fruit for that year,” she explained.

The ethnographer noted that the Blessing of Grape is among is an outdoor feast celebrated in valleys.

“People would traditionally make a pilgrimage [on the Assumption Day]. Every community in Armenia had its favorite pilgrimage sites. It didn’t have to be a church; it could be a sacred tree or spring thought to have a healing power people attached belief to. The mere preparation for a pilgrimage was a joy for people, as it was a form of entertainment,” she added.

Stepanyan further spoke of the historically known entertaining events and games – such as tightrope walking, horse-riding, singing and dancing groups of fellows and young women – traditionally organized in valleys to celebrate the blessing of grape. “It was the occasion for boys and girls to communicate with one another, as they weren’t allowed to do so very often in everyday life,” she added.

The day symbolizes the falling asleep of Virgin Mary after ending earthly life and her bodily resurrection on the third day of passing away, says Priest Yessayi Artenyan.

“Joining her son, the Virgin has become our intercessor in Heaven as she was on Earth. She remained on Earth 12 years after the resurrection of Jesus, and all pious people who sought consolation would gather around the Mother of God. Her assumption came to reaffirm the divine truth of eternal life and the salvation of soul,” he told our correspondent. 

Asked why especially grape was chosen as the fruit to be blessed on that day, the priest noted that Jesus gave a special honor to grape when alive, comparing it to his own vine.

“This demonstrates the Christian virtue. If we are attached to Christ, from whom we get our spiritual food, our life becomes as fruitful as vine. And vine is also identified with the Mother of God. Likewise grape is used for making wine which also symbolizes Christ’s blood, the Mother of God is the vine that gave birth to Christ who sacrificed his blood for our salvation,” he explained.