Ladies Society Assumption Feast Day 1
| August 15, 2009 |
Ladies Society of the St. Apkar Armenian Church invites you to the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God with the Blessings of Der Zacharia.
Luncheon- Sunday, Aug 16, 2009
On this feast day, with services in our new sanctuary, the ceremony within the Divine Liturgy emphasizes the important role that the Virgin Mary assumed in the revelation of God. The custom of blessing grapes, which are the first fruits of the harvest, can be traced back to the Old Testament. This year we will experience more that the symbolically rich ceremony of the Blessing of the Grapes. I will reactivate the religious custom of a pilgrimage for this feast day with the old tradition of assumption of Madagh.
Those who are interested to participate will begin their testimonial journey on Saturday, August 15th at 9:00 AM SHARP, at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church located at 8202 East Cactus Road in Scottsdale. Parking available at the Greek Church and arrangements to pick up your cars later in the day. We will walk the distance to St. Apkar Armenian Apostolic Church.
We will enter our Church with a special prayer. Following, everyone is encouraged to remain on the Church grounds to participate in preparing the grapes for the blessing and the preparation of the Madagh (sacrificial offering) meal that will take place after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday.
This reverend activity will conclude with an all night vigil inside St.Apkar Church. We will relive old traditions with prayers to St.Apkar Church as the intercessor saint and will bring life to our Church. This testimonial vigil will also be in honor of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God which is one of the loveliest feast days of our Armenian heritage, especially for our Armenian Mothers. Take part of the spiritual tradition and make your testimony on this special day.
Make your “Ooughked” (will for a whish to come true) to the Church by donationg towards purchase of a lamb or a whole lamb costs $150.00. All names will be read by Der Zacharia in his service. We are acceptiong donations for the grapes.
Please R.S.V.P. to Ladies member by August 1st.
