The other day I went to Trader Joe’s for groceries. As I browsed the produce department, the grape stand caught my attention — Cotton Candy, Globe, Thompson, Concord, Moon Drops, Champagne — so many types, shapes, flavors, and colors. Yet all these varietals share certain commonalities. For example, all grapes grow in clusters. I like to think of them as a family — an Armenian family with many children, cousins, uncles, aunts, parents, and grandparents — all receiving nourishment from the branches that preserve life in their veins, even after being cut from the grapevine. When they remain together, they can survive longer and be preserved in special environments.

I believe this analogy resonates with many Armenians in the Diaspora. Although physically cut from the motherland, we strive to preserve our ethnic, cultural, and religious values, and our heritage, and to nourish our offspring with what we have received from our ancestors. Just like grape clusters, we too long to be part of a larger group surrounded by a supportive presence. Individual grapes may be sweet, tasty, and beautiful, but with their delicate skin they cannot preserve their sweetness for long on their own.

This week, as we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with the blessing of grapes, let us remember that our true life and fruitfulness come from staying connected — to our faith, to our heritage, and most importantly, to Christ, the True Vine. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5).

May we always remain rooted in Him, nourished by wisdom, faith, and perseverance, and surrounded by the abundance, blessing, and protection that come from living in His vineyard.