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Riverside: Blessing of grapes set for Inland church

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  • Riverside: Blessing of grapes set for Inland church

    Press-Enterprise , CA
    Aug 3 2004

    Blessing of grapes set for Inland church

    TRADITION: The event at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Riverside
    observes the Virgin Mary.

    The Armenian Apostolic Church of Riverside will hold its annual
    church picnic and traditional blessing of the grape service beginning
    at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 15 at La Sierra Park, 5215 La Sierra, Riverside.

    The blessing of grapes is part of the Orthodox Christian Feast of the
    Assumption of St. Mary, an observance of the death, burial,
    resurrection and transfer to heaven of the Virgin Mary, the mother of
    Jesus.

    "Grapes are blessed during the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary to
    symbolize a number of values that are important to life and living,"
    the Rev. Dr. Stepanos Dingilian, pastor of the church, said in an
    e-mail.

    Wine comes from grapes and symbolizes the blood shed by Christ, he
    said.

    "This 'blood' in turn signifies that no achievement that raises the
    standard of human civilization is possible without wholehearted
    dedication, total commitment and unselfish perseverance," he said.

    Grapes grow in clusters, illustrating that people need family and
    community to grow spiritually and mentally and to live a meaningful
    life, he said.

    The blessing of the grapes is observed on the Feast of St. Mary,
    Dingilian said.

    For information, call (951) 684-1722, (951) 522-5172 or (909)
    883-1066.
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