FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
Aysor.am
Saturday, August 15
The Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary,
the Holy Mother of God, with grace. In the Calendar of the Armenian
Church, this feast is the fourth of five major feasts that are
commemorated, and is the oldest one dedicated to St. Mary.
According to the legend, following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ,
the Holy Virgin remains in Jerusalem, and lives under the care of
St. John the Evangelist. For nearly 12 years, St. Mary lives by
praying, fasting, and often visiting the empty tomb of her beloved
Son. During one such visit to the tomb, the Archangel Gabriel appears
and gives her the news of her imminent assumption to heaven. St. Mary
relays the news to her relatives and all Christians, asking them to
bury her in the valley of Gethsemane.
St. Mary also asks the Apostle John to celebrate a Divine Liturgy, so
she may receive Holy Communion one final time. After receiving Holy
Communion, St. Mary returns to her room. As the Apostles prepare to
mourn her death, St. John asks the Mother of God to leave an image
of her face on a board of wood. St. Mary takes the board, crosses
herself and brings it close to her face. Moistening the board with
her tears, she asks God that by means of the board, people would be
cured from disease.
As the Apostles surround St. Mary, an indescribable light appears. The
Son of God and the angels of heaven appear in the room. Seeing Christ,
St. Mary dies. The church calls the St. Virgin’s death sleeping fro
making clear that she was delivered to the heaven. St. Bartholomew
the Apostle was absent and did not participate in the burial service
of St. Mary. Upon his return to Jerusalem, he wishes to see St. Mary
for the last time. Per his request, the Apostles open the tomb,
yet they do not find the remains of St. Mary.
It means that Jesus Christ had delivered His mother to His heavenly
kingdom. The Apostles give the board of St. Mary to St. Bartholomew
for consolation. According to Moses of Khoren, St. Bartholomew
brings the board to Armenia. It is kept in the Province of Andzav,
in a location called Darbnots. Years later, a church is built there
in honor of St. Mary, and a convent is opened.
The Armenian Church has a deep and abiding respect towards
St. Mary. Special emphasis is placed on her being a mother, her
honesty, her unique spirit of humility, her virtuous behavior and
her unselfish dedication. For Armenian women, the Holy Virgin is
the embodiment of virtue, pious motherhood, and the protector of
family sacredness.
On the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary, the Ceremony of the
Blessing of the Grapes is conducted, and the harvest for the entire
year is blessed on that day. Next day after the feast, on August 17
will take place All Saints Day.