Pasadena Star-News, CA
Aug 16 2004
Church blesses grapes
Father Nareg Pehlivanian performs a blessing of the grapes at Saint
Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Pasadena on Sunday. The ceremony
took place in celebration of an Aug. 15 feast day honoring the
assumption of St. Mary into heaven. Roza Balyon and Knarik
Chaparioin, bottom left, grab a bag of blessed grapes at the Pasadena
church. The blessing of the grapes, a fruit used to make wine, is
symbolic in the church as the blood of Jesus. Nevait Der Ohanessiam
of Pasadena buys nuts from Kevork Babasan, bottom right, at the
church’s street fair to celebrate the Blessing of the Grapes festival
Sunday.