10:23 PM Blessing of the fruits | |
The feast of Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ falls during that time when the fruits of the earth reach maturity. From the earliest times in the Eastern Church, on this day fruit is blessed in thanksgiving to God for the first-fruits of the earth. This custom was adopted by the Christian Church from the Old Testament which prescribed that fruit be brought to the Temple of the Lord. In the Books of Exodus and Leviticus we read "The first of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God” (Exod. 23, 19), "you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest; and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, that you may find acceptance” (Lev. 23, 10-11) The custom of blessing the first-fruits in church was prescribed in the Canons of the Holy Apostles (III century). The Apostolic Constitutions (IV century) have a prayer for the blessing of first-fruits. In Greek, in the month of August grapes and wheat, which are the more important fruits, reach their maturity. For this reason, the custom of blessing the grapes and ears of wheat in church on the feast of the Transfiguration prevailed there. In Ukraine, grapes of the vine were replaced by apples and other fruits and vegetables. Following this tradition we will have blessing of the fruits at our parish too. We encourage every family to prepare baskets with fruits (as you do it on Easter) and bring it to the church for blessing. | |
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