The Feast of the Assumption was celebrated at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral on Sunday, August 16th beginning with a Morning Prayer Service at 9:30 a.m. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.
Nearly 1,500 faithful participated in the observance of the Tabernacle Feast.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Mr. Ara Abrahamyan, former president of the Union of Armenians of Russia, UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador, and the President of the World Armenian Congress, with his spouse and Dr. Aramayis Paronyan and his spouse Dr. Natella Lalabekyan-Paronyan, Pillars of the Western Diocese, the Honorable Ardy Kassakhian, Clerk of the City of Glendale.
In his homily, the Primate said “the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God is one of the most beloved feasts observed by the Armenian Apostolic Church. Today we celebrate and venerate St. Mary, the humble figure who bore the Son of God and graciously answered to God’s call with the utmost humility. Because of her courage and unshakable faith, St. Mary serves as the exemplary figure to all mothers who in turn ought to lead their children toward God and the Church.”
At the conclusion of the service, the Primate, accompanied by the Cathedral’s Pastor the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan performed the traditional Blessing of the Grapes ceremony.
The blessed grapes were distributed to the faithful and more than a thousand faithful received Holy Communion.
About the Feast of the Assumption
Assumption comprises a week of fasting, Navagadik, and a Memorial Day. In the early centuries, the observance took place over the course of three days; but as arranged by Shnorhali, it was extended to nine days.
The tradition concerning the dormition of the Holy Mother did not become a basic teaching (doctrine) of the church until the 9th century; and it wasn’t until the 12th century that the feast was titled “the Assumption.” It commemorates how St. Mary was taken up in body and soul, or “assumed,” into heaven. This was performed by Christ many years after His Ascension as a loving tribute to the mother who bore and raised him.
On this feast day, the Blessing of Grapes service takes place immediately after the Divine Liturgy. The service is rich in symbolism and emphasizes the important role of the Virgin Mary in the revelation of God.
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