Assumption of the Holy Mother of God (Blessing of the Grapes) · Verapokhum Surb Astvatsatsni

Culture of origin: Armenian · Cultural

Holiday sources: Armenian

The Assumption of the Holy Mother of God is the fourth of the Armenian Church's five Tabernacle feasts, kept on the Sunday nearest 15 August (between 12 and 18 August). After the liturgy the first grapes of the harvest are blessed and shared, and many Armenians wait until then to eat grapes. The next day is Merelots, a day for the dead.