With Grateful Hearts
Thank you to everyone who made this year’s picnic a joyful and memorable success.
Annual Church Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes 2026
On Sunday, August 9, 2026, our Holy Trinity parish family gathered for our Annual Church Picnic and the Blessing of the Grapes. It was a joyful day of faith, fellowship, traditional food, music, dancing, and community.
This beloved parish tradition brought together families, friends, guests, and volunteers for a beautiful summer celebration. Around the tables, on the dance floor, and throughout the church grounds, the spirit of togetherness was felt by all.
A Cherished Armenian Church Tradition
A cherished part of the day was the Blessing of the Grapes, a beautiful tradition of the Armenian Church. This blessing reminds us to give thanks to God for the fruits of the earth, the gifts of creation, and the many blessings shared within our community.
View Blessing PhotosThe Blessing of the Grapes
Photos from this cherished Armenian Church tradition. Select any photo to view it larger and move through the album.
Preparing the Traditional Food
Before the picnic began, many devoted hands worked with care, joy, and generosity to prepare the food that welcomed everyone to the table.
Made With Love and Service
The preparation of the picnic food is one of the most meaningful parts of this parish tradition. Long before guests arrived, volunteers gave their time and energy to cook, prepare, organize, and serve with love.
Through traditional food and Armenian hospitality, our parish family shared not only a meal, but also the warmth, dedication, and fellowship that make Holy Trinity feel like home.
Setting Up the Picnic Grounds
Every joyful gathering begins with careful preparation. Volunteers worked together to ready the grounds, arrange the space, and prepare a welcoming place for parishioners, families, friends, and guests.
Preparing a Place for Fellowship
The picnic grounds came together through the quiet work of many hands. From arranging tables and preparing outdoor spaces to organizing the flow of the day, this preparation helped create a warm and welcoming setting for the whole community.
These moments remind us that fellowship begins before the first guest arrives, in the generous service of those who help make the day possible.
The Ed Melikian Ensemble
Live music by the Ed Melikian Ensemble brought energy, dancing, and celebration to the picnic, filling the day with the joyful sounds of Armenian fellowship.
Picnic Memories
Photos from the Annual Church Picnic are arranged in natural filename order as a joyful record of the day. Select any photo to view it larger and move through the album.
Celebrating With Joy
At the close of our picnic celebration, we also celebrated Father Ardag’s 36th birthday and Yeretsgin Anahid Bekiarian’s 98th birthday. These joyful moments added even more warmth, gratitude, and love to a beautiful parish day.
Picnic Video
A full video from the 2026 Annual Church Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes will be added here when it is ready.
Watch on YouTube
The YouTube link will be added soon so visitors can watch and share the completed picnic video.
With Heartfelt Thanks
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Annual Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes such a wonderful success.
From planning and preparation to cooking, serving, organizing, decorating, entertaining, and cleaning, every contribution played an important role. We are deeply grateful to all who gave their time, talents, resources, and support.
Because of your dedication, our parish family and guests were able to come together, enjoy one another’s company, and celebrate the strength and warmth of our community.
May God bless all who helped, attended, and shared in this beautiful parish tradition. We look forward to gathering together again next year.
The Weather That Day
Sunday, August 9, 2026 in Worcester was forecast as a warm summer picnic day with some sunshine giving way to clouds and a touch of afternoon rain.
Weather reference: AccuWeather forecast for Worcester, MA on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
Thank You for Supporting Our Annual Church Picnic
With gratitude to every volunteer, sponsor, donor, cook, baker, helper, and parishioner who helped make this beloved gathering a success.
To Everyone Who Worked So Hard
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped with this year's Annual Church Picnic. From preparing delicious meals and pastries to organizing, serving, setting up, cleaning up, and welcoming guests, every effort mattered.
Special thanks to the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Ladies Guild, Men's Club, ARS, and all volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and throughout the day.
Our Picnic Donors and Sponsors
We gratefully recognize the generosity of the families and friends who supported the picnic through lamb donations, grape donations, general donations, and sponsorship.
Lamb Donations
- Avedis AvedissianIMO Ohannes & Esther Avedissian & Marc Avedissian
- Walter, Martin & Susan DemoorjianIMO Zvedis & Zabel Demoorjian
- The Gebeshian FamilyIMO N.B.K. Gebeshian
- Albert & Celine KallanianIMO Aharon & Kohar Kallanian
- Mrs. Jean KestigianIMO D. Michael Kestigian
- Eva KopoyanIMO Aram & Vini Bilezerian
- John & Christine MooshianIMO John & Rose Mooshian
- Mrs. Melina ShemeligianIMO Robert Shemeligian
- Sam & Eileen SimonianIMO Mrs. Rose (Kustigian) Simonian
Grape Donations
- Rita DelucaIMO Alice Marsoobian
- Paul & Carol HalfmannIMO Edward & Angele Chakarian
- Eva KopoyanIMO John Kopoyan
- John & Christine MooshianIMO John & Rose Mooshian
- Mrs. Melina ShemeligianIMO Robert Shemeligian
- Mr. & Mrs. George Yeghiaian & Family
General Donations
- George & Joyce Aghjayan
- Alan & Nevart Asadoorian
- Mr. & Mrs. Leo BarsamianIMO Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Barsamian
- Rose Der Bedrosian
- Richard & Joan Greenhalgh
- Cheryl Harabedian-Helie & Family
- Levon KachadoorianIMO Jack, Maro & Harry Kachadoorian
- Ken & Vergik MartinIMO Tony & Sue Martin
- James Markarian
- Mrs. Melina ShemeligianIMO Robert Shemeligian
- Ron & Cathy SimonianIMO Mrs. Rose (Kustigian) Simonian
- Darlene & Mike Tashjian
- Nancy Z. TashjianIMO Hapet & Zartar Tashjian
- Hon & Mrs. Sarkis TeshoianIMO Nerses & Verkine Teshoian and Diran & Siranoush Afarian
