The celebration of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, Asdvadzadzin, carries with it the tradition of blessing grapes. The first fruits of the land are brought to the church in an offering and gesture of thanksgiving.

This year a group from the Western Diocese made a pilgrimage to the St. Mary Armenian Church in Yettem, California, to witness this centuries-old tradition in the “garden where it all began.”

The town of Yettem is about 35 miles southwest of Fresno. As the story is told, when the first Armenian settlers escaping the massacres of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s arrived in California, they looked out over the lush green San Joachim Valley and saw a vision of paradise. They named this area “Yettem” (Armenian for Eden), in reference to the garden of Eden. At one corner of this town of less than 300 people stands the St. Mary Armenian Church, the center for Armenian Christian life in the area for over a century.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, has long since insisted that pilgrimages are a necessary component in the spiritual welfare of the individual. Each church within the diocese has been consecrated with the Holy Miuron and therefore is designated as a sacred shrine. As such, each church is a destination for individuals and groups organizing pilgrimages. The St. Mary Armenian Church in Yettem, with its unique history and location, has been designated the point for several pilgrimages this year, beginning with this one on its name day.

Fr. Vazken Movsesian has been appointed by the Primate to lead these pilgrimages. On the feast of Assumption, Fr. Vazken celebrated the Divine Liturgy and officiated at grape blessing service in Yettem. A group from the Diocese journeyed there for a spiritual pilgrimage to receive the blessings of the Holy Mother of God, Christ and His Church. Adapting to the conditions set forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, services were held outdoors, under tents and the trees. A special “pilgrim’s prayer” was offered by Fr. Vazken, focusing on the “ookhd” or the sacred vow made by the pilgrims for that day. The parishioners at St Mary, under the chairmanship of Myron Sheklian, welcomed the group in a most hospitable and gracious manner. The message of the day was not missed, as the grapes and God’s goodness were celebrated in the Garden “where it all began.”

The next two pilgrimages to St. Mary will be held on September 13, organized by the Diocesan Ladies Society and then on October 18, organized the Diocesan Deacons Council. More information is available on the Diocesan website or by writing to Fr. Vazken at fv@wdacna.com