On the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary, Fr. Nareg Terterian reflects on Mary as the one who gives humanity the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ. Beginning with a personal story about the lasting power of a meaningful gift, Fr. Nareg explores why the Church magnifies Mary, not simply because of who she is, but because through her faith, obedience, and willingness to say “yes” to God, she brings Christ into the world. The homily also reflects on Mary as a model of faithful discipleship, the rich Marian hymns of the Armenian Church, and the beautiful image of Mary as the “reasonable vine” bearing the sweetest fruit. This imagery naturally leads into the Armenian tradition of the Blessing of the Grapes, connecting the first fruits of creation with the wine of the Divine Liturgy and the Blood of Christ. The message concludes with a question for each of us: What gift are we offering to the world? In a culture that constantly encourages us to consume and accumulate, the Christian life calls us instead to give, share, and offer ourselves for the good of others. Recorded at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church on the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary.
