Blessing of the Vineyard in Lawrence, KS

Lawrence, KS (OCA-DMW) — For several years, Priest Joshua Lollar and the faithful of Saint Nicholas Church, Lawrence, KS, have gathered at Blue Jacket Crossing Vineyard and Winery to help with the grape harvest.

“Blue Jacket is a vineyard just outside Lawrence where the parish gets wine for Liturgy,” explains Father Joshua. “Our participation in the harvest each year presents us with a different experience and a different grape, depending upon the weather, and this year we helped harvest the chambourcin vines, a variety that is used in the wine we use at Liturgy.”

This, Father Joshua added, was a record-setting year for production at the vineyard.

“We. along with dozens of other local volunteers, harvested 17,000 pounds of grapes during the morning work session,” Father Joshua said. “After the harvest and lunch with the other volunteers and vineyard staff, we blessed the vines as we do every year: ‘O God our Savior, Who wast well-pleased that Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ should be called a Vine, and Who didst show the fruit of this Vine bringing forth immortality by the grace of Thy Spirit: do Thou Thyself now bless this fruit of the vine, O Master, and grant sanctification and prosperity of soul to all of us who shall partake of it.’”