Vakıflı, located in the Samandağ district of Hatay and considered Turkey’s ‘only’ or last remaining Armenian village, marked its inaugural Feast of the Assumption of Mary after the earthquake. This photo-report was crafted by Hatay-based female journalist Burcu Özkaya, with editorial oversight from Banu Güven.
Burcu Özkaya
One of the five major holidays of the Armenian Apostolic Church, “Verapokhum Surp Asdvadzadzni,” which translates to the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, is celebrated every year on the Sunday closest to August 15th, during the time of grape harvest.
This year, in Vakıflı, a village located in the Samandağ district of Hatay and considered Turkey’s ‘only’ or perhaps its last surviving Armenian village, the festival was observed with a bittersweet atmosphere. The attendance was lower compared to previous years as prayers were offered for those who lost their lives in the earthquake, and hymns were sung.
Before the earthquake, people from all corners of Turkey and even Europe used to participate in the festival. However, this year, some were unable to attend due to accommodation difficulties. Nonetheless, despite everything, the traditional festive dish called “Hrisi” (a wheat and meat dish) was prepared in large cauldrons, and grapes were savored as part of the celebration, just like every year.
The Grape Festival began with a liturgy and prayer at Vakıflı’s sole church, the Church of Virgin Mary.
Grapes, a symbol of the Assumption of Mary and the August grape harvest season, hold a special significance. Therefore, grapes are the symbol of this significant day that commemorates the Assumption of Mary.
Just like in Armenian churches all around the world, in Vakıflı as well, the grapes were blessed and prayers were offered for abundance, in honor of the first harvest of the year.
The congregation gathered in Vakıflı for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, and they observed the blessing of the grapes in the church courtyard.
However, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, an important holiday for Armenians, had a bittersweet tone this year. Those who participated in the festival experienced a mixture of joy in reuniting with one another and the sorrow brought about by the earthquake.
Hrisi (keşkek), made by pounding wheat and meat, is a festive dish in Antakya that is enjoyed by people of all faiths. Arab Alevis, Greek Orthodox Christians, Armenian Christians, and Sunni Muslims all prepare and share this dish on special occasions. This year as well, during the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, the cauldrons were set to boil for Hrisi.
Prayers were offered around the cauldron of Hrisi. It was blessed for abundance. Armenian Patriarch Sahak Maşalyan also took a spoon and participated in pounding the Hrisi.
Maşalyan blessed the sacred dish Hrisi before its distribution.
The Armenians of Antakya gather to enjoy the traditional holiday dish, Hrisi, while engaging in conversation.
Following the completion of the ceremony and prayers, those in attendance were served with Hrisi.
Cem Aydoğdu, who resides in Fethiye, Muğla, along with 20 of his friends, had decided to move to Vakıflı on the evening of February 5th, the day before the earthquake. They had even purchased their tickets. However, when the earthquake struck on February 6th, they became volunteers in Antakya with entirely different aspirations. Aydoğdu explained that he wanted to settle in Antakya due to the harmonious coexistence of all religions and beliefs there. Cem Aydoğdu and his friends were at the church to celebrate their neighbors’ festival in the 7th month after the earthquake.
The annual Feast of the Assumption of Mary, also known as the Grape Festival, used to attract participants from all corners of Turkey and around the world. However, due to the lodging challenges that emerged after the earthquake, this year’s festival saw fewer attendees compared to previous years. The Vakıflı Community left this festival with the hope of hosting a more vibrant celebration next year.
*This photo-story has been prepared as part of the “Haber Var, SES Ver!: Solidarity with Women Journalists” project under the “Women’s Solidarity Fund” of the SES Equality and Solidarity Association.