Armenian Apostolic Church to hold grape blessing ceremony on August 12

17:28 | Armenia Levon Aronian to play in Sinquefield Cup

On September 9-15, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, Aronian will be joined by Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura and Gata Kamsky.
Source: armchess.am
17:12 | Region Iranian-Armenian community’s demands and expectations from Iran’s new President

Robert Beglaryan, an Armenian member of the Iranian parliament, has congratulated Iran’s new President Hassan Rohani and presented a number of proposals.
Source: Alik
15:18 | Armenia Police Chief: If there is a need to use arms, let me be the first victim

“We rule out the use of arms against our people under any circumstances,” Armenian Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan told reporters in Arzni.
Source: Panorama.am
14:47 | Armenia Armenian police hold command and headquarters exercise

Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan voiced his satisfaction with the exercise.
Source: Panorama.am
13:57 | In the world Meeting of CIS Council for Cultural Cooperation to take place in Minsk, chaired by Armenian Culture Minister

The meeting will discuss cultural events that have been held and are scheduled in CIS states as well as expansion of cultural cooperation.
Source: Armenian Ministry of Culture
13:21 | Region Turkey unrest: Young protester loses eye from rubber bullet, mother wants justice

One young man, who was shot with a rubber bullet during the police intervention in the demonstrations in Taksim Gezi Park last week, lost his sight in one eye but counts himself lucky for being alive.
Source: Hurriyet Daily News
13:19 | Region Key suspect of Hrant Dink murder case arrested

Ersin Yolcu is now again being held in Trabzon's Bahçeçik prison, pending the second trial.
Source: Hurriyet Daily News
13:00 | Armenia Ashot Vardevanyan: Armenia is not poor in water resources, but it spends too much water

“25 percent of Armenian territory faces the danger of desertification, while 81 percent is subject to desertification,” said the coordinator of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Source: Panorama.am
11:56 | In the world Resolution urges countries to join Convention on Cybercrime

Cyber attacks should be viewed as equal to conventional acts of aggression according to a resolution now pending at the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE.
Source: OSCE PA
11:48 | Armenia Fire in Martiros Saryan House-Museum

The Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations received a call at midnight that Martiros Saryan House-Museum was on fire.
Source: MES
11:21 | Armenia Heritage again considered most prospective and authoritative opposition party

The Americans have understood that they should no longer have expectations from Levon Ter-Petrosyan, and the idea of turning Prosperous Armenia into opposition is an absolute failure.
Source: Iravunk
10:48 | Armenia Lomonosov Moscow State University to open branch in Armenia

The issue was once discussed by the leaders of the two countries, and was lobbied by Armenian Education Minister Armen Ashotyan.
Source: Aravot
10:29 | In the world Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s move not yet certain

The information that Armenian international midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is moving to Liverpool is not confirmed.
Source: Haykakan Zhamanak
09:43 | In the world US, France, Russia issue statement on Karabakh

Presidents of the US, France and Russia, Barack Obama, Francois Hollande and Vladimir Putin, as heads of states of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries, issued a joint statement Tuesday regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution process.
Source: Asbarez.com
09:16 | In the world Heavy blasts hit munitions depot in Russia’s Samara

More than 1,500 firefighters are combating the blaze, while thousands of locals have been evacuated and dozens hospitalized.
Source: RT
09:07 | In the world Pentagon unveils plans for moving women into combat roles

The plans, which call for gender-neutral job requirements like scaling walls and lifting 55-pound (25-kg) tank ammunition, will require more years of study, education and training before some services open combat jobs to women.
Source: Reuters
09:03 | In the world U.N. recommends bringing Iraq closer to ending 1990s sanctions

Iraq is still subject to a U.N. arms embargo and asset freeze on individuals and entities linked to Saddam.
Source: Reuters
08:57 | In the world Mom, child held in 'subhuman' captivity in Ohio

A mentally disabled woman and her daughter were held in an Ohio apartment crowded with people and animals for more than a year, forced to perform manual labor and threatened with dogs and snakes to keep them compliant.
Source: CNN
08:49 | In the world Obama in Berlin to give Brandenburg Gate speech

He last addressed Berliners as a presidential candidate in 2008 - drawing a crowd estimated at 200,000 in the once-divided city.
Source: BBC
08:44 | In the world Afghan attack kills US soldiers hours after news of talks

The soldiers were killed by "indirect fire" from insurgents at Bagram air base, US officials said.
Source: BBC
08:40 | Armenia Transitory rain expected in Armenia

The air temperature will not change.
Source: Meteo-TV
23:30 | In the world Angelina Jolie stunt double launches News Corp phone-hacking lawsuit

News Corporation is facing its first phone-hacking lawsuit in the US after a former stunt double for Angelina Jolie launched a lawsuit alleging her mobile phone messages were intercepted by the now defunct News of the World and the Sun.
Source: The Guardian
23:20 | In the world German 'should be a working language of EU', says Merkel's party

The inferior status of German is a long-standing grievance for Berlin, which points out that it has over 100 million speakers, including German-speaking minorities in Belgium, Denmark, Italy and Poland.
Source: The Telegraph
23:12 | Armenia Mali and Tuareg rebels sign accord

The nation of Mali signed an accord with Tuareg separatists who still control the country's northernmost province, paving the way for the Malian military to return to the areas that remain under rebel control.
Source: Associated Press
23:05 | In the world Obama opens 24-Hour trip to Germany

US President is opening a 24-hour visit to Germany, the culmination of which will be a speech Wednesday at Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate.
Source: ABC News
22:58 | In the world Putin ‘not lonely’ at G8 summit

Russian President played down assertions that, regarding how to deal with the Syria conflict, he alone was opposing all other leaders of the Group of Eight powerful economies in talks this week in Northern Ireland.
Source: Ria.ru
22:50 | In the world Laurent Koscielny will snub Bayern Munich AND Barcelona to remain at Arsenal

Koscielny’s agent, Stephane Courbois, had fuelled talk of a move by confirming that the defender is a summer target for Europe’s top clubs.
Source: The Sun
22:37 | Armenia G8 leaders agree tax evasion measures

Leaders of the G8 major economies have agreed new measures to clamp down on money launderers, illegal tax evaders and corporate tax avoiders.
Source: BBC
22:30 | In the world U.S. to hold Afghan peace talks with Taliban in Doha

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, warned that the process would likely be lengthy.
Source: Reuters
20:27 | Region Freedom House again registers democratic progress in Armenia and regression in Azerbaijan

While neighboring Azerbaijan aggressively stifled political opposition, Georgia and Armenia conducted parliamentary elections under new electoral laws that emphasized equal access to campaign resources and media coverage, the Freedom House new report on “Nations in Transit 2013” reads.
Source: Freedom House
19:01 | In the world Messi tax fraud case could be extended

The Spanish Tax Authority could expand its investigation into Leo Messi’s fiscal affairs to the years 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Source: AS
18:38 | In the world UN: Turkish government and civil society must work to defuse tensions

“The atmosphere is still clearly highly combustible,” said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.
Source: UN
18:06 | Armenia New stamp dedicated to Armenian brandy

A new stamp dedicated to the foundation of the brandy production in Armenia was cancelled and introduced into circulation today.
Source: Haypost
18:02 | Region ‘‘Committee to Protect Journalists,’’ condemns Azerbaijani authorities for banning journalist M. Huseynov to leave the country

Authorities in Azerbaijan should lift the travel ban imposed against journalist Mehman Huseynov and allow him to travel freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) said today.
Source: CJP
17:53 | Armenia Armenian chess players in Golden Sands

GM Tigran L. Petrosian scored 6.5 points out of 9 and took 13th place among 220 participants at the 2nd Grand Europe Open.
Source: armchess.am
17:19 | In the world Report: Henrikh Mkhitaryan flying in for Liverpool medical

Armenian international midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan will undergo a medical at Liverpool in the next couple of days to complete his switch from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Source: News Liverpool FC
16:19 | Armenia Ruben Hayrapetyan to meet with representatives of blogosphere and social networks

All those football fans who express various opinions of Armenian football and challenges faced by the Armenian national team in the blogosphere, football forums and social networks are invited to a free format meeting and discussion.
Source: FFA
16:19 | Armenia Spayka company to buy apricots from villagers for AMD 500 per kg

Spayka company is willing to buy apricots from villagers for AMD 500 per kg, Armenian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Robert Makaryan told our correspondent following a visit to Ararat province.
Source: Panorama.am
15:22 | Armenia New head of Nubarashen district introduced to staff

Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan has introduced newly appointed head of Nubarashen district Arthur Kirakosyan to the staff and thanked former head of the district Mher Hovhannisyan for collaboration.
Source: Panorama.am
14:39 | Region Bulent Arinc: Army could be used against protesters

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said on Monday Turkey could deploy "elements of the armed forces" to help quell anti-government protests if needed.
Source: Reuters
14:19 | Armenia Farmers block roads leading to Kakhtsrashen and Aygezard villages, Ararat province

Residents of several villages of Artashat region, Ararat province of Armenia, blocked today the roads leading to the villages of Kakhtsrashen and Aygezard in protest of low prices offered for apricots by truck owners.
Source: Panorama.am
13:31 | Armenia Levon Ghazaryan: Some measures should have been taken to rehabilitate Armavia

“It is very important that the air communication field is being liberalized, and 3 national air carriers are going to be introduced,” said the member of Air Communication Subcommittee of the Public Council of Armenia.
Source: Panorama.am
12:09 | Armenia Authorities trying to reconcile Budaghyan with Khachatryan

“But for this moment, the only thing Budaghyan wishes is revenge.”
Source: Haykakan Zhamanak
11:42 | Armenia Hermine Naghdalyan: China is becoming important partner in our region

A delegation of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) will visit China on July 13-21, aiming to develop interparty cooperation.
Source: Panorama.am
10:51 | Armenia Large amount of money transferred to account of hail-affected villagers

The management of French-owned Yerevan Brandy Company has transferred AMD 20 million for hail-affected villagers.
Source: Hraparak
10:23 | Armenia Prosperous Armenia actively cooperates with RPA

Despite Prosperous Armenia Party’s criticism of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and Yerevan Mayor in the pre-election period, Prosperous Armenia and RPA were actively cooperating during a regular meeting of Yerevan Council of Elders on Saturday.
Source: Zhamanak
09:21 | In the world U.S. right to arm Syrian rebels, says Israeli president

Israeli President Shimon Peres has thrown his weight behind U.S. plans to arm Syrian rebels, shrugging off fears the weapons could be turned on Israel and exacerbate the conflict.
Source: Reuters
09:15 | In the world U.S. says it will buy Russian helicopters for Afghan military

The Pentagon said on Monday it will spend $572 million to buy 30 Russian-built military helicopters that will be used by Afghan security forces.
Source: Reuters
09:03 | In the world Anger in China over attack on students in France

A violent attack on a group of Chinese students in a small town in southwest France has prompted anger and condemnation in China.
Source: CNN
09:03 | Region 'Standing man' inspires silent demonstration in Turkey

For more than five hours, he appeared to stare at a portrait of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish state.
Source: CNN
08:57 | In the world G8 summit to focus on tax, trade and transparency

Monday's meetings in Northern Ireland focused on the conflict in Syria.
Source: BBC
08:53 | In the world Protests spread throughout Brazil

Tens of thousands of people marched through Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo, on Monday as protests spread over rising public transport prices and the cost of staging the 2014 World Cup.
Source: BBC
08:47 | Armenia Air temperature will go down

Transitory rains and thunderstorm is possible from time to time after midday in the most of regions on June 18.
Source: Meteo-TV
23:00 | In the world Arms for Syrian rebels won't fall into extremist hands, says William Hague

Foreign secretary says no decision made to arm opposition to President Assad, but insists it can be done in containable way.
Source: The Guardian
22:45 | In the world Anger in Southern Egypt over islamist governor

Workers, opposition politicians and activists in the southern city Luxor said they plan to seal off the office of the governor to prevent Adel el-Khayat from entering.
Source: ABC News

16:02 08/08/2012 » Society

This year on August 12 Armenians will celebrate one of the 5 main holidays of the Armenian Church – the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. On this day after the Liturgy the Church holds the grape blessing ceremony.

Priest Ter Shmavon Ghevondyan told reporters that grapes are traditionally a symbol of fertility. “Grapes are not just fruit. The wine produced from grapes is a symbol of Christ's blood,” he said.

In the Old Testament the first harvest of the year was taken to the Church and was presented to God. Among them were wheat, grape, fig, pomegranate, olive and so on. The Armenian Apostolic Church chose grape as a symbol of the harvest.

Each year on the Sunday closest to the date of August 15, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary, the Holy Mother of God.

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.

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. According to His promise, 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.

Source: Panorama.am