Armodoxy for Today: Grapes, the Symbol of Productivity
In John chapter 15, Jesus sets up a metaphor, with himself being the vine, his Father the vinedresser and us, the branches. No matter how you twist or turn these three, the message is clear: Life is about productivity. Life is meant to be lived. We are the branches of the metaphor and the only way to be productive – to bear fruit, grapes – is to be connected to the vine.
The Vine, Jesus Christ, is incarnate Love. A productive life is one that is nurtured and the fueled by Love. Only when you are connected to the Vine, to Love, does life have purpose and meaning. A life of love is not selfish. The branch is not preoccupied with self-love and self-preservation. The ego is placed to one side and fruit – robust, juicy, flavorful, aromatically alluring grapes poke through the hard and rough branches to bring joy to those who partake.
Only by being connected to the vine does this happen. A branch cut from the Vine, cut from Love, only stands alone and withers.
Today’s one minute for Summertime.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Grapes-productivity-765-e1755662461355.jpg1125795Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2026-08-19 00:10:162026-08-18 22:21:12Twisting to Produce
The first fruits of the season, grapes, are blessed on the Feast of the Assumption of the Asdvadzadzin. Last week, we built up to the Feast with reflections on the Blessed Mother, Mary. This week, we meditate on the meaning of the grapes based the Jesus’ words, recorded in John, chapter 15:
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit….
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Today’s one minute for Summertime.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DALL·E-2023-08-10-20.42.37-oil-painting-of-table-with-various-types-of-grapes-and-vineyards-in-the-background.png10241024Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2026-08-17 00:10:102026-08-16 20:36:30About the Grapes
Next Step #817 – August 15, 2026 – The Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary this week is cover up by a wave of noise that detracts from her central message to us. As one who gave birth to LOVE, it’s hard to find her amidst the noise. She comes from the tradition of “Seven Sorrows” in the Roman Catholic tradition, and a church in Gyumri, Armenia that has served both Armenian Apostolic and Roman Catholics. Fr. Vazken shares a preface to his sermon about the seven-wounds of Mary. But first… the new self-appointed guardians of democracy hit the local Armenian Church as an easy target (cf. Epstein files, genocide, etc). Vying for the status of influencer, they miss an opportunity to connect to something higher. And more…
Photo: from a Facebook post – Wannabe defenders of freedom bully their way in front of an Armenian church. >
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Copilot_20260815_162455-e1786936973442.png14621024Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2026-08-15 17:09:392026-08-15 17:09:39Noise around St. Mary
A custom and tradition in the Armenian Church is to bless grapes on the Feast of Assumption. Jesus uses a grape-grapevine metaphor to describe his relationship with his followers. We’ll dive deeper into that vat next week, but for today, let’s focus on why the grape blessing is connected to the Blessed Mother Mary.
Given Armenia’s climate, the first crop of grapes would be ready by mid-August making the Feast of Assumption a convenient time for farmers to offer their first crop to the church as a symbol of thanksgiving. This offering would be blessed by the priest, in a prayer of thanksgiving for the weather and fertile soil. The grapes would then be shared with the community through the church.
The first crop was not the leftovers, but the very best of the harvest. Your very best should be offered to God – your goods, your labor, energy, talents – and through the Church they are distributed among the community. St. Mary, who knew Christ from the womb to the Resurrection, was the first Christian. On this day, the first fruits of our labor are offered.
Today’s one minute for Summertime.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Vineyard-762.jpg11251125Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2026-08-15 00:10:252026-08-13 21:19:02Why connect Grapes with Mary
Within the Armenian tradition the Blessed Mother, St. Mary, has many names, the meanings of which, have inspired generation upon generation. These descriptive names have been given as proper names to girls in Armenian tradition. Some of them are, Srbuhi = the Holy One, Lousaper = the Light Bearer, Tiruhi = the Holy Lady, Makruhi = the Clean One, Imastuhi = the Wise One, Geghetzik = Beautiful, Anarat = The Pure One… and the list goes on.
These descriptive names highlight the virtues of St. Mary and, for us, become guiding beacons by which we pattern our life, with holiness, light, purity, wisdom and beauty.
But the most common name by which she is referred to in the Armenian Church, is a descriptor and a definition. It is, Asdvadzadzin, or the God bearer. As with all the names, especially with Asdvadzadzin, the emphasis is not on her, but on the fruit of her womb, Jesus.
Today’s one minute for Summertime.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marys-Acceptance-875.jpg345345Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2026-08-14 00:10:042026-08-11 22:09:24Mary, the name
This week is one of preparation for the Feast of Assumption of the blessed Mother, Mary. Sometimes the story of St. Mary seems overwhelmingly complicated with supernatural events taking place, most notably her relationship with Joseph and subsequently Christ’s virgin birth. As such, the most important and fundamental message of her story might be overlooked.
Let’s take it from the beginning. St. Mary is at the top of the list of saints, because she said “Yes” to God’s request to bear Jesus Christ, Love Incarnate, the complete and full expression of Love. As a saint, she is not worshipped but is one whose actions are to be followed and emulated.
The request God made of St. Mary is no different than the request He makes of you and me: bear Christ. Bear love. Bring Love into the world. Prepare yourself, with prayer, fasting and acts of charity. Clean, purge yourself of evil thoughts, hatred and prejudice so that love flows from you, freely. Virginity simplified.
When the legendary rock band, The Beatles, recorded “Let it Be,” Paul McCartney’s voice added a very tender element to the chords he pounded on the piano. “When I find myself in times of trouble,” he sang, “Mother Mary comes to me.”
I was 12 years old at the time the song came out. It was a beautiful and sentimental piece. I remember thinking the even he, one of the Beatles and therefore the entire group, was sharing the very special place Mother Mary has in our lives.
It was several years, perhaps decades later, that in an interview McCartney shared that the lyric was about his own mother, Mary McCartney, who had died to an illness early in his life. He was sharing his longing for his own mother in those words.
This week begins the preparation for the Feast of Assumption of St. Mary. There is a longing we all have for the Blessed Mother. We’ll prepare for the feast by casting our attention on her and her story.
Today’s one minute for Summertime.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Mary-on-the-Keys-scaled.jpg15582560Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2026-08-12 00:10:322026-08-11 22:02:00Let it Be Mother Mary
On this fourth day of preparation for the Feast ahead of us, we focus on the singular place the St. Mary occupies in human history.
The Feast we celebrate on Sunday is called the Assumption. As Tradition tells us, when the Blessed Mother passed away, the Apostle Bartholomew was absent from the group of Apostles who attended her funeral. When he returned to Jerusalem he asked that he might visit her tomb to offer his respects to the Holy Mother of Blessed Memory. When they found her tomb empty, it was revealed that she was “assumed” into Heaven by Christ himself. Hence, the Feast is called the Assumption of the Asdvadzadzin.
The two words Assumption and Asdvadzadzin, celebrates the one who knew Jesus before and after the “cradle to grave” markers. St. Mary knew Christ from womb to Resurrection to her own Assumption. In the words of the angels, she is the highly favored one, the Lord is with her; blessed is she among women! (Luke 1:28)
Today’s one minute for Summertime.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Utah-761-e1755145355218.jpg8781123Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2025-08-14 00:01:442025-08-13 21:23:21Beyond Cradle to Grave
Now that the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother of God, Asdvadzadzin, has passed I share with you this fascinating story that connects all Christians who are baptized and confirmed in the Armenian Church.
When the Asdvadzadzin passed away, all of the Apostles except for the Apostle Bartholomew were in Jerusalem and attended her funeral service. When Bartholomew returned to Jerusalem and was informed of Mother Mary’s passing, he requested to see the Blessed remains one last time. When they opened her tomb to honor Bartholomew’s request, her body was not there. She was assumed into Heaven by her Son. Hence the word “Assumption” is used to describe Asdvadzadzin’s entrance into Heaven. It differs from the Resurrection, which was a singular event, where in Jesus, on His own power, resurrected. In the case of St. Mary, she was assumed into Heaven.
There is a short apocryphal story which follows. During Jesus’ infancy, scripture tells us many events took place and “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) When Jesus’ umbilical cord fell off, Mary placed it in an alabaster box and kept it with her through the years. When Bartholomew came to pay his respects to Holy Mother’s life, he was given the box, which he kept close to his heart.
In the fourth decade A.D., Bartholomew came to Armenia to preach the Gospel. He was martyred in Armenia for his faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ. Before he was executed, he was able pass along the small alabaster box to the members of the underground Church in Armenia. The box and its content, the umbilical cord of our Lord, were secretly kept by the Church until the Conversion of Armenia in the year 301 A.D. by St. Gregory the Illuminator. At that time the box was turned over to Gregory who had ascended to the Apostolic Throne as chief bishop. Gregory consecrated the first batch of Holy Miuron at that time and added the remains of the umbilical cord to the first miuron. This Holy Chrism, which is used for consecration of the faithful, priests, bishops and holy sites, is renewed every seven years. In each new batch, the previous batch is added, meaning there are molecules in the Holy Miuron from the time of Jesus Christ!
This is year there will be a blessing of the Holy Miuron. In the coming episodes we will share the mystery of the Holy Miuron with our listeners.
We pray today, Mary’s Song, referred to as the Magnificat, in Armenian, Medzastzudzeh. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. Amen.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_9877-scaled.jpeg18182560Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-08-19 00:01:162024-08-18 22:15:07Alabaster Box with the Umbilical Cord
