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ARMENIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATES BLESSING OF GRAPES
ABC30.com
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8762017
Aug 5 2012
CA
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Valley Armenian community celebrated
a centuries-old tradition in Fresno County, blessing grapes and the
upcoming harvest.
The annual 'blessing of the grapes' at the California Armenian Home
is part of a worldwide tradition that dates back 15 hundred years.
Church leaders say the event coincides with a holiday marking the
Assumption of Mary, and the grapes represent the blood of Jesus.
"It's blessing of the first grapes of the harvest because traditionally
grapes were among the first fruits to be harvested so they are blessed
and also to bless all blessed and also to bless all the other fruit
and production of all the land," Barlow Dermugrdchian of St. Paul's
Armenian Church said.
After the ceremony people shared the grapes as well as a traditional
Armenian meal. Every year the public is invited to attend as well.
ABC30.com
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8762017
Aug 5 2012
CA
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Valley Armenian community celebrated
a centuries-old tradition in Fresno County, blessing grapes and the
upcoming harvest.
The annual 'blessing of the grapes' at the California Armenian Home
is part of a worldwide tradition that dates back 15 hundred years.
Church leaders say the event coincides with a holiday marking the
Assumption of Mary, and the grapes represent the blood of Jesus.
"It's blessing of the first grapes of the harvest because traditionally
grapes were among the first fruits to be harvested so they are blessed
and also to bless all blessed and also to bless all the other fruit
and production of all the land," Barlow Dermugrdchian of St. Paul's
Armenian Church said.
After the ceremony people shared the grapes as well as a traditional
Armenian meal. Every year the public is invited to attend as well.