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
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
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the first among all the saints in the Church. In the Armenian Church she is referred to the Asdvadzadzin (= Bearer of God) or Asdvadzamayr (= Mother of God). These titles tell us more about the primacy of Jesus Christ in our Faith, than they do about Mary, but they point to the reverence with which we approach the Blessed Mother.
Unique in the Christian story, Mary is chosen by God to bear the Christ Child. We encounter Mary in the Scriptures at the Conception, the Birth, in the adolescent period of Jesus and finally at the Crucifixion, at the foot of the Cross watching as her child is beaten, tortured and killed by the same humanity for which he came to save. Mary is the only witness, according to Scripture, of Jesus’ life from “cradle to grave.” Though it may be possible that Joseph lived as long, there are no details of his life beyond the story of Jesus at age 12. (Luke 2:41-49).
While much has been said and written throughout the centuries about Mother Mary, her story is a simple one which takes place in the first two chapters of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke. Even more, the simplicity of Mary’s story can be summarized in one word: Yes! Mary, the Holy Mother of God, is revered and set apart from all the saints because of a simple and courageous “Yes” that she said to God’s invitation.
The story of that “Yes” cannot be more eloquently expressed than it is in the Gospel of St. Luke (chapter 1), when an angel reveals to her that she will conceive a child, the “Son of the Highest.” Mary responds to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you…” Then Mary positive response is heard, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary’s “Yes” to the angel is simple, yet powerful. It seems to have flowed off of her tongue, yet took the courage of a lifetime to utter. Mind you, we’re talking about 2000 years ago, in the Middle East. This story is not in 21st century USA. The sentence for unwedded pregnancy was death, not to mention the humiliation, dishonor and stigma it cast on your family. The pressure, both real and psychological to say “No” was great, and so the value of that “Yes” was beyond measure. And so it was that her “Yes” changed the course of human history, for unto her a child was born who is the Son of God.
Now, invite Mary’s action to your 21st century. Every day and every moment we are asked to bring Christ into this world. Christ is the incarnation of love. By loving, caring, being empathetic to the needs of others, we are bringing Christ into this world, we are saying “Yes” to God. It’s as simple as that. And the level of difficulty to do so, is up to us. Armodoxy is a testament to a people who have chosen to bear Christ to the world. It has not been easy, but the reward has been great. Every Armenian Church altar bears the image of St. Mary presenting, offering, Jesus Christ, Love to the world. Every altar is a reminder that this “Yes” changes human history.
We pray, “Lord, Jesus Christ, your holy mother said yes to the invitation to bear you and present you to the world. You came into a world of darkness and brought light, into a world of hate and preached love. I say Yes today, to bring light and love to a hurting world. Shine in my life, move me in the paths of your love, always. Amen.”
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 Movsesian2026-01-14 00:01:012026-01-13 20:48:09Accepting in Love
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
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/2025/08/MJ-Madonna-1-e1755063691530.jpg836973Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2025-08-13 00:01:292025-08-13 14:55:56What’s in a Name?
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/2025/08/758-Longing-for-Mary-1.jpg11251125Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2025-08-11 00:01:402025-08-11 11:47:07Let it Be, Mary
Armenia was blessed by the visit of two of Christ’s Apostles, Saint Thaddeus and Saint Bartholomew. They came to Armenia to evangelize the Gospel three to four years apart from one another, in the years 41 and 45 A.D. respectively. To put it in context, they arrived in Armenia less than 10 years after the life-changing and history altering events of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, to which they were both eye-witnesses! Yesterday I shared the story of Thaddeus’s part in the formation of the Holy Muiron. St. Bartholomew’s story is considered apocryphal yet inspiring and is one more connection with Jesus and the Muiron.
When the Blessed Mother, the Asdvadzadzin, passed away, all of the Apostles attended her funeral except for Bartholomew. 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, her body was not there. She was assumed into Heaven by her Son.
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 kept it in an alabaster box. When Bartholomew came to pay his respects to Holy Mother’s life, he was given the box, which he kept close to his heart.
Bartholomew brought this box with him to Armenia. He was martyred there 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 blessed the first batch of Holy Muiron at that time and added the content the alabaster box to the oil, along with the Oil that Jesus had sent with Thaddeus. Because in each new batch the previous batch is added, there are molecules from the time of Jesus Christ, with his DNA giving a direct physical connection to the Lord, from the Manger to the Resurrection. Indeed, the Muiron is what binds us together into one family – the family of Christ – or Christian. Is it any wonder that Armenian names end with the suffix “ian”? The “ian” refers to “the family of…” In this case, a Christ-ian is a member of the family of Christ.
During the Blessing of the Muiron, in the prayers offered by the Catholicos, he refers to the mixture as yiugh, that is “oil” up to the point where the previous batch is added, at which time it is properly referred to as Holy Muiron.
We pray today, Lord Jesus Christ, Keep ever before my mind your precious and holy words, that “My family are those who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:21) Through the intercession of your beloved disciples Bartholomew and Thaddeus, I ask that you fortify with me the virtues of Faith, Hope and Love so that I may be worthy be called a Christian. Amen.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/33340c60-5f20-417b-87ce-ab54ef2bd983.jpeg10241024Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-09-18 00:01:162024-09-17 22:58:26Muiron: Manger to Resurrection
Armodoxy for Today: St. Mary and the Grape Connection
My grandmother was one of four sisters. She was the oldest. Her name was Marie. Her sister’s names were Lousaper (the Light-bearer), Srpuhi (the Holy One) and Diruhi (The Lady, as in the feminine of Lord). All four sisters had names which were descriptive of St. Mary. No other saint is revered as much as St. Mary by Armenians, and the fact that in one family, four daughters are named after the blessed Mother is a testament to the respect and devotion she has had among the people.
St. Mary is referred to as the Asdvadzadzin which means the bearer of God, referring to her unique position of giving birth to Jesus, the Son of God. While the traditional churches celebrate the Assumption of St. Mary, only the Armenian Church has the unique tradition of the blessing grapes on that day.
My grandmother would recall how the first fruits of the harvest, the best fruits, were taken to the church on that day for a special blessing. The offering of the fruits was a gesture of thanksgiving, thanking God for the blessings He has bestowed upon the people, the temperance of weather, the fertility of the soil and the abundance of sunshine which yields the grapes. In fact, she would add that the townspeople would not eat the fruit of the vine until they were blessed on this day.
One of the reasons given for the connection between St. Mary and the grapes is that grapes can be propagated without seed, alluding to the virgin birth. But the best reason comes from Christ himself who sets up this analogy, “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. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:1-4)
The life of a Christian is completely dependent on an unfaltering connection to Christ himself. Jesus presents the picture of the vine, the branches, and the fruit. And the operative is God the Father who prunes the branches. Just as the soil, weather and sunlight are necessary for delicious and juicy grapes, so too, our connection to Jesus the Vine is necessary for our lives to be flavorful and beautiful.
The grape blessing service is a call to productivity. God gives us a world and we are the stewards of this beautiful life. Armodoxy attests that Christianity is not an escape from this world to another but a realization that in this world we – us – are the agents to make God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
From the grape blessing prayer that is offered on the feast of Assumption, Bless, O Lord, the grapes. May we enjoy that which You have created in this world and grant that we may be worthy to eat and drink with You from the bounty of Your most fruitful vine at the table of Your Father’s Kingdom, according to the just promise which You made, to the honor and glory of Your coexisting Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the most Holy Spirit to whom is due glory, power, and honor, now and forever. Amen.
And it doesn’t end here…
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Grape-Glass.jpeg22381593Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-08-14 00:01:182024-08-13 21:22:11St. Mary & Grapes
