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St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church · Costa Mesa
Dear St. Mary Family,
Tomorrow, Sunday, August 16, 2026, our parish celebrates its Name Day — the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God — together with the traditional Blessing of the Grapes and Madagh.
Our sanctuary prepared for the Feast of the Assumption
Անունովդ ապրիս
(Anunovd apris / Anounovt abris)
This is the traditional Armenian name-day blessing. It means “May you live with your name” or “May you live up to your name.”
In Armenian culture a person’s name carries spiritual weight. Many names are tied to saints, virtues, or the Holy Mother of God. The blessing expresses the hope that we will live a long and worthy life that honors the meaning and example of our name — and of the saint associated with it.
It is the classic greeting given on someone’s name day (anvan or / anoonin or), the feast day of the saint after whom they are named. It is often said instead of (or together with) “Happy Name Day” / Շնորհավոր անվան օրը.
For St. Mary, this Sunday is our parish’s name day. Saying Անունովդ ապրիս is therefore a fitting traditional blessing for our church and for all who bear names related to the Holy Mother of God.
Names Associated with the Feast of the Assumption
Direct forms and diminutives of Mary (Մարիամ):
- Մարիամ (Mariam)
- Մարո (Maro)
- Մարի (Mari)
- Մերի (Meri / Mary)
- Մարուշ (Maroush)
- Մարիա (Maria)
- Մարիետա (Marieta)
Other traditional names that share this name day:
- Մաքրուհի (Makruhi)
- Մայրենի (Mayreni)
- Սրբուհի (Srpouhi)
- Տիրուհի (Tiruhi)
- Թագուհի (Taguhi)
- Լուսիկ (Lusik)
- Լուսնագ (Lusnag)
- Արուսյակ (Arusyak)
- Արփի / Արփինե (Arpi / Arpine)
- Մարգարիտ (Margarit)
- Նազիկ (Nazik)
- Ազնիվ (Azniv)
- Սեդա (Seta)
- Ծաղիկ (Tsaghik)
- Վերժին (Verjin)
- Արշալույս (Arshalouys)
- Անթառամ (Antaram)
- Իսկուհի (Iskuhi)
Մարիամ and its short form Մարո are the most direct. The longer list reflects the Armenian Church’s traditional practice of grouping many feminine names ending in -uhi (“lady”) and other Marian-associated names under the Assumption feast.
Join Us for the Feast, Blessing of the Grapes & Madagh
On Sunday, August 16, 2026, St. Mary will observe the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God — one of the five major Feast Days of the Armenian Church.
As Holy Scripture calls us to honor the Lord with the firstfruits of our labor, our Church blesses the grapes after Divine Liturgy. The grape holds a place of honor among all fruits, for from it comes the wine used in the Sacraments of the Divine Liturgy, Holy Communion, and Holy Matrimony.
Madagh is an act of mercy, thanksgiving, and almsgiving. On major feasts and our Church name day, the faithful offer Madagh in gratitude to God for health and well-being, and to beseech spiritual peace from the Almighty.
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Morning Service — 10:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy — 10:30 a.m.
Grape and Madagh Blessings — 12:00 p.m.
Followed by a special celebration luncheon
Please make your heartfelt and tax-deductible Name-Day / Madagh donation in any of the following ways:
Tithe.ly
Credit / Debit / Bank
Online or Mobile
Zelle
Send to: info@stmaryarmenianchurch.com
Memo: Madagh / Name Day
By Mail
Checks payable to St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
148 22nd Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
We look forward to celebrating this holy feast with you.
Անունովդ ապրիս
May you live with your name.
With love in Christ,
St. Mary Parish Council
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” — Luke 1:46–47
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St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
148 22nd Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Pastor: Very Rev. Fr. Eremia Abgaryan · (949) 650-8367
stmaryarmenianchurch.com · info@stmaryarmenianchurch.com
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