Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God celebrated at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia

On August 16, 2020, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. It is the fourth of the five major feasts of Armenian Church. Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God was celebrated with Divine Liturgies and Blessing of Grapes Services at all churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

From the early morning, altars of the Diocesan churches were decorated with different types of the symbol of the day – grapes and other fruits. And the flow of the faithful to the church did not stopped: people were coming with beautifully decorated trays and baskets of grapes and other fruits hoping to receive blessings for the harvest of the year and ask for the intercession of Almighty God.

After the Morning Service, Service of Blessing the Four Corners of the World (Andastan) was offered in churches. The four corners of the world and all peoples were blessed. Afterwards, Divine Liturgy was celebrated everywhere.

The Vicar of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan celebrated Divine Liturgy in Saint Etchmiadzin church in Avlabari.

The Divine Liturgy was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Georgia Ruben Sadoyan; Georgian Member of Parliament Ruslan Poghosyan; Adviser to the Prime Minister of Georgia on regional development affairs Sozar Subari; Adviser to the Prime Minister of Georgia Kakhi Kakhishvili; Gamgebeli of Isani region of Tbilisi Kakha Labuchidze; Diplomats Zarmik Danielyan and Levon Zargaryan, Editor of ''Vrastan'' (''Georgia'') newsletter Van Bayburdyan, Artistic Director of the Petros Adamyan Tbilisi State Armenian Drama Theatre Armen Bayanduryan; Chairman of ''Multinational Georgia'' public movement Arnold Stepanyan; representatives of Armenian community in Georgia; intellectuals, leaders of organizations; numerous faithful.

During the Divine Liturgy, Rev. Father Kirakos Davtyan properly preached about the mystery of the day – the big mission of Holy Virgin Mary, the falling asleep of Holy Mother of God, Her Resurrection and Assumption. Rev Father highlighted the love and deep respect of the Armenian Church towards Holy Virgin Mary, touched upon mother – son relationships, encouraged the faithful to continue to live with the light of the Assumption and the Faith of Resurrection. The celebrant wished peace and progress to Armenia and Georgia and the people of both countries, as well as congratulated the attendees, especially mothers and those women, whose name in Mary.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a passage from Gospel summarizing the mystery of the day was read, afterwards ''Blessing of Grapes'' Prayer of Nerses the Gracious was read. Under the presidency of the Diocesan Vicar and with the participation of clergy, the service of blessing of grapes and all the harvest of the year was offered.

Divine Liturgies were celebrated and Blessing of Grapes Service was offered also in Saint Gregory the Illuminator church in Akhaltsikhe; Holy Cross church in Akhalkalaki; Saint Sarkis church in Ninotsminda; Saint Karapet church in Gandza; Saint Savior church in Batumi; Saint Mother of God church in Shahumyan, Kvemo Kartli region; Saint Gregory of Narek Spiritual Center in Rustavi city and other churches and chapels of Armenian populated regions.

Then a reception took place in the church yard. Grapes, fruits and Matagh (Thanksgiving Animal Sacrifice) were offered to the faithful by Armenian benefactors and godfather of the church.

Monday, August 17, is the day of commemoration of deceased. Divine Liturgy will be offered in the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia in memory of deceased. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a Requiem Service will be offered for the peace of souls of deceased.