Blessing of the Grapes

We had a few trips in mind for this weekend, but then we learned that Sunday was the grand reopening of the local church, under renovation for the past two years. It was a big deal, and much of the town turned out, so we were glad we stayed. Sunday was also a holy day for the blessing of grapes in the Armenian Orthodox church (connected with the feast of the Assumption of Mary). During the service, grapes are blessed and then handed out to the congregation. A lamb was also sacrificed (although it didn't seem to have been actually killed at the church) and served with lavash.

After the ceremony, the local folklore group performed Armenian dances. We then went with our friend Marianna to an aunt's house for coffee, where we had our futures told in the grounds left in the bottom of the cup. All good things there, and while the dog that our fortune-teller saw was believed to indicate a loyal friend, we're kind of hoping it's an actual dog when we get back (or a mighty Caucasian shepherd dog that becomes our true companion here). An ostrich was also seen in my future, but I forget what that's supposed to mean. Again, kind of hoping for an actual ostrich.

Handing out the grapes

Blessed grapes

Folklore performance

Melissa cut my hair today. She welcomes comments.