Why is it that fruits and flowers are blessed during the dormition fast? A coworker asked me this and I couldn't come up with an answer for it.
Several things are blessed throughout the year on certain feasts--
Water, houses, chalk at Theophany/Epiphany
Fruit at Transfiguration
Seeds and herbs at Dormition
Candles on Feb. 2 for the Presentation of the Lord
Throats on Feb. 3 for St. Blaise
Wheat berries at memorial services
Breat, wine and oil, at lityas
Cheese, eggs, and fleshmeats on Pascha
Flowers, basil, etc. at other times
This is due to 1. the desire to offer things to God (quintessentially the bread and wine of the Eucharist), 2. the seasons of the Church year together with the seasons of the agricultural year--since most people in early times were deeply involved in agriculture, and 3. symbolism and fasting/feasting.
We offer things to God out of thanksgiving and receive them back with a blessing for our sanctification.
