St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
Address: 4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016
Tel: 202-363-1923
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A Prayer for Armenia's Independence
Saturday, September 21-marks the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Armenia. The rebirth of the Armenian homeland is one of the most momentous developments in the history of the Armenian people. Armenia's citizens voted for independence from the Soviet Union on September 21, 1991, and the resulting free republic became a member of the United Nations on March 2, 1992.
Armenians encountered the powerful spirit of those days again this year, when the courage and determination of our fellow countrymen in the homeland became an example to Armenians all over the world-including here in America.
On Sunday, September 22, parishes of the Eastern Diocese will conduct the "Thanksgiving Prayer of the Republic of Armenia."
Click here
to download the prayer booklet.
May our risen Lord bestow his grace on our homeland, keep it under his loving protection, and guide all its citizens-our brothers and sisters-in their heroic effort to build a decent, prosperous, and just society.
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Side Entrance Renovation
We are happy to announce that after a long search the Parish Council was able to identify a contractor to complete the long-standing project of renovation of the 41st st. entrance. The project has already started and during this time we would like to ask our parishioners to use the main entrance of the church or the parking lot office entrance. Weather permitting, the estimated time of completion is the end of September.
We appreciate your support and contribution towards this project.
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Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was celebrated at St. Mary Armenian Church on September 15, with an Antasdan Service immediately following the Divine Liturgy. The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachverats in Armenian) on the Sunday nearest to September 15.
It is one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church, and the most important of the four feasts of the Holy Cross. According to the tradition, the first one to "exalt" the Cross was the Apostle James of Jerusalem, also known as the "Brother of the Lord."
After the Badarak an Antasdan service (blessing of the fields) was celebrated during which the processional cross adorned with basil (a symbol of royalty) was carried and the four corners of the church were blessed as a sign of the sanctification of the world. This sweet-smelling plant is associated with the celebration of this feast because in the early decades of Christianity, basil was a symbol of royalty, befitting the Savior who was crucified as a King. Church traditions also recall a beautiful story of the miraculous growth of basil on the ground at the foot of the Cross of the Lord after it had been removed. Basil, according to pious traditions, continued to grow on that ground despite the faithful cutting and taking it home.
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Registration and the First Day of Shnorhali School 2019-2020
The Shnorhali Armenian School opened its doors for the academic year 2019-2020 on September 8th, with classes in Armenian language and culture and Christian education taught to K-12 students. This year the School offers an Eastern Armenian language and Cultural heritage curriculum to seven grade levels, as well as one Western Armenian class. The Christian education curriculum is extended to include post graduate/high school levels.
As of the end of first day of school, there are 90 officially registered students; however, the number is expected to increase, as the registration process hasn’t been completed. In this respect, the Shnorhali School would like to request parents’ cooperation in timely registration of students.
We wish our students and teachers a fruitful academic year.
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Fall Food Festival Schedule of Workshops 2019
St. Mary's Annual Fall Food Festival will take place on October 3-6. The event is organized by the St. Mary Parish Council and Women's Guild who have spearheaded a number of workshops bringing together community members in preparation of the Food Fair. Please, join us and support the church.
Workshop's Date and Time
Cheese Boureg prep - Friday, September 13, 4:00pm
Cheese Boureg - Saturday, September 14, 10:00am
Haskanoush- Thursday, September 19, 5:30 pm
Baklava-Bourma - Saturday, September 21, 10:00am
Yalanchi (Por-meechog) - Wednesday, September 25, 10:00am
Yalanchi (Wrap) - Friday, September 27, 5:00pm
Meat Cutting - Saturday September 28, 10:00am
Eggplant: Saturday, September 28, 1:00 pm
Eggplant/Sauce - Monday, September 30, 10:00am
Khadayeef - Monday, September 30, 5:00pm
Green Beans - Tuesday, October 1, 10:00am
Hummus - Tuesday, October 1, 4:00pm
Hall set up - Tuesday, October 1, 7:00pm
Please click on the button below to view the online sign up sheet.
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Reopening of the Pontifical Residence
On September 18, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the formal reopening of the pontifical residence (the Veharan) at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The grand ceremony involved Armenian clergy from around the world; dignitaries from the Armenian government, including President Armen Sarkissian and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan; dignitaries from throughout the Armenian diaspora, including from the Eastern Diocese; as well as diplomats and international figures like former President of Germany Joachim Gauck.
To begin the rededication ceremony, Catholicos Karekin entered the Veharan chapel along with Samvel Karapetyan of Russia, through whose benefaction the decade-long renovation of the entire pontifical residence was accomplished. Before the chapel altar, they lit two candles in advance of leading the visiting dignitaries on an extensive tour of the facility. A concert and formal reception concluded the event.
“Today we give thanks to our heavenly Father,” prayed His Holiness, "for all the dedicated souls through whose efforts churches are built, places of prayer are constructed, and spiritual life is restored.” The Catholicos added that he looked forward to the pending conclusion of the mammoth restoration effort at the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, and he thanked the worldwide Armenian community for supporting that project. “To have the opportunity to beautify Holy Etchmiadzin is truly a grace and blessing,” he said. “Such acts of generosity are worthy examples for our people.”
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In Memoriam: Diramayr Lousin Keshishian (1928-2019)
With great sorrow, the Eastern Diocese mourns the passing of Diramayr Lousin Keshishian, the mother of His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. She passed away on September 14, in Bifkaya, Lebanon.
On behalf of the Eastern Diocese, Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan sent a letter of condolence to Catholicos Aram, offering sympathies in this time of mourning.
“On this sorrowful occasion, please accept the heartfelt condolences of the clergy, assembly, council, and faithful of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America,” the Primate said in his Armenian-language note. “I am confident that as a kind, faithful, and solicitous mother, Diramayr Lousin is now resting from her earthly cares after fulfilling, with utmost dedication, the familial mission entrusted to her in life. Heeding the prayers of your Holiness, your immediate family, and all of us, the Lord will render her worthy to enjoy eternal rest in the blissful peace of the heavenly abode.”
The funeral service took place on September 18, at the Catholicate of Cilicia in Antelias. May our Lord grant rest to his servant Diramayr Lousin, and remember her on the great day of his judgment.
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READ MORE NEWS FROM DIOCESE
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Morning Service
10:00 AM
Holy Badarak
10:30 AM
Celebrant
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan
Ushers
Mr. Garbis Chubukian and Mrs. Rouzanna Oganissian
Parish Council Members on Duty
Mr. Jack Guiragossian Mr. Zakar Shahverdian Mr. Artur Sivaslian
Choir
Mrs. Edita Kalayjian
Organist
Mrs. Karine Muradyan
Bible Reading
Is 14:3-17, 2 Cor 10:18-11:10, Mk 10:1-12
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HOKEHANKIST REQUIEM SERVICE
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HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE
For the Soul of:
Roza Petrosyan
Requested by:
Azat Hakobyan - (Grandson)
For the Souls of:
Harry Tashjian, III
Debora-Lu (Tashjian) Yepremian
Requested by:
Mrs. Debbie Tashjian - wife/daughter
Mr. & Mrs. Harry (Irina) Tashjian, IV -son/sister
Harry Tashjian, V-grandson/Horkour
Troy Adamek -nephew/cousin
Ross Adamek -Godson & nephew/cousin
For the Souls of:
Berge A. Kayaian (1 anniversary)
Adrina Casparian Kayaian (10 anniversary)
Requested by:
Elizabeth -(Daughter) and Susan -( Granddaughter) Garabedian
Alter Flowers Donated by:
Elizabeth Garabedian
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To request a Hokehankist/Requiem Service
Please contact the Church Office
by 12:00 Noon on Thursday
202-363-1923 or
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A special thanksgiving prayer for the
Republic of Armenia will take place on
Sunday, September 22 marking the
28th Anniversary of Armenia's Independence,
which occurred on September 21, 1991.
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CALENDAR OF FEASTS AND EVENTS
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Every Tuesday
Bible Study
September 5-26
Who is the Master? - Backgammon Tournament
September 21
ACYOA Juniors Fall Cookout
September 29
Feast of Holy Cross of Vara
k
September 29
100 Years and 100 Fact presentation by Nareg Seferian
October 6
ACYOA Juniors
Monthly Teen Meeting
October 3 – 6
Fall Food Festival
October 11-13
ACYOA Juniors Fall Sports Weekend
October 11
Tribute GOMIDAS celebrating his 150th birthday
concert by Şahan Arzruni at French embassy at 7:30pm
Details will follow
October 27
Book presentation by Matthew Karanian : The Armenian Highland: Western Armenia and the First Armenian Republic Of 1918
October 27
Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross
November 21
Presentation of the Holy Mother-of-God to the Temple
November 23
Knights and Daughters of Vartan Fall Christmas Bazaar
December 9
Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary
January 13-22, 2020
Pilgrimage to Jerusalem
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Vulnerable Students Receive Dental Care Through FAR
For the second year, children of Armenia’s Parakar Special School—which serves 150 children with various disabilities—received free dental care thanks to a partnership of the Fund for Armenian Relief, the Yerevan Rotary Club, and the Armenian American Dental Association’s mobile clinic.
Dr. Klara Kulumjyan and two colleagues from the mobile clinic examined the children and will provide follow-up care. “Most often, the problems we see involve cavities and issues related to the lack of routine dental care,” she said.
According to school nurse Shoghakat Hasratyan, many of the children come from families that can’t afford dental services. She commended the dentists for spending time with each child to explain how to care for their teeth and how to brush properly. FAR’s partnership with the Parakar School is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Batmasian family of Florida.
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Յիսուս այնտեղից վեր կացաւ եկաւ Հրէաստանի սահմանները, Յորդանանի միւս կողմը. եւ ժողովուրդը դարձեալ գնում խռնւում էր նրա շուրջը, եւ նա, ինչպէս սովոր էր, նորից ուսուցանում էր նրանց։ 2Իսկ փարիսեցիները մօ¬տե-ցան եւ նրան փորձելով՝ հարց տուին ու ասացին. «Օրինաւո՞ր է, որ մարդ իր կնոջն արձակի»։ 3Նա պատասխան տուեց նրանց եւ ասաց. «Մով¬սէսը ձեզ ի՞նչ պատուիրեց»։ 4Եւ նրանք ասացին. «Մովսէսը հրաման տուեց արձակելու թուղթ գրել եւ արձակել»։ 5Յիսուս պատասխանեց եւ ասաց նը-րանց. «Ձեր խստասրտութեան պատճառով գրեց այդ պատուիրանը, 6մինչ-դեռ արարչագործութեան սկզբից Աստուած արու եւ էգ ստեղծեց նրանց»։ 7Եւ ասաց. «Դրա համար տղամարդը պիտի թողնի իր հօրն ու մօրը եւ պի¬տի գնայ իր կնոջ յետեւից։ 8Եւ երկուսը մի մարմին պիտի լինեն, եւ այլեւս եր¬կու չեն, այլ՝ մէկ մարմին։ 9Արդ, ինչ որ Աստուած միացրեց, մարդը թող չբաժանի»։ 10Եւ աշակերտները տան մէջ դարձեալ նոյնը հարցրին նրան։ 11Եւ նրանց ասաց. «Եթէ մի մարդ արձակի իր կնոջը եւ ուրիշին առնի, շնու-թիւն արած կը լինի։ 12Եւ մի կին եթէ թողնի իր ամուսնուն եւ ուրիշ մարդու կին լինի, շնութիւն արած կը լինի»։
Մարկոս 10:1-12
And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again; and again, as his custom was, he taught them. And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away." But Jesus said to them, "For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, `God made them male and female.' `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one.' So they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
Mark 10:1-12
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Please Stay Current with Your Membership
St. Mary Church brings us together to worship, educate, and serve, yet we need your help to sustain this mission. We call upon you to renew, or become a new member, because dues are the largest part of our church income to help keep our beloved parish doors open.
Your Membership
MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Help us fulfill our mission to sustain and grow our ministries, worship programs and activities to strengthen our church family for generations to come. Thank you for your generosity and support. To Learn More About Membership
To Become A Member
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Our gift shop is furnished with distinctive and unique items from Armenians all over the world.
Some of the items are Armenian crosses, jewelry, paintings, religious tiles and tapestry icons, children and adult books, T-shirts, hats, bags, Armenian CDs, Armenian artwork, and much more.
The Gift Shop is open every week after Sunday Church services and by appointment.
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St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
Serves the Greater Washington, DC and Baltimore communities. Our mission is to proclaim and grow together in our Apostolic Faith in Christ Jesus and to sustain our Christian Armenian identity. We celebrate our long and enduring legacy,
the beautiful traditions of our religious and national heritage, with Christian servitude, and with love and reverence towards our Church.
We invite you and welcome you to be a part of our church,worship with us, and experience the true love of Christ as we grow together as a community.
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Signup / Stay Connected with St. Mary Church E-Newsletters and Correspondence.
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St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church relies on the generosity of individual donors so that it may continue ensuring service to God and fellowship to the Armenian Community. Your support is deeply appreciated.
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St. Mary Armenian Church, Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016 | stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
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