Serpagip (Sourp Hagop)
The tradition says that when the city of Medzpin (in ancient Armenia) was besieged and the people were facing the fear of either dying of hunger or being massacred, the Armenian catholicos of the day, Medzpna Hagop Hayrabed, who was later announced as Sourp Hagop (St. Jacob), told the people to make "Herisa" (a traditional food) with cock meat, and wheat.
They prepared the food as their final meal before being massacred by the enemy who was at the gates. While they were eating, Hagop Hayrabed withdrew from the crowd and knelt to pray. At that moment, the enemy retreated for unknown reasons and the people were saved.
Mousadaghians prepared "Herisa" every year with the leftovers of wheat and cockmeat in order to remember St. Jacob and the Medzpin miracle.
