Morning Service
10:00 AM
Holy Badarak
10:30 AM
Celebrant
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan
Ushers
Mrs. Rouzanna Oganissian and
Parish Council Members on Duty
Mr. Garbis Chubukian
Mr. Onnik Sivaslian
Mr. Eric Ashbahian
Choir
Mrs. Edita Kalayjian
Organist
Mrs. Karine Muradyan
Bible Reading
Isaiah 33.2-22, Romans 12.1-13.10,
Matthew 5.17-48
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HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE
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HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE
For the Soul of:
Mardiros Shafakian
Requested by:
Wife Mari Shafakian,
Children Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shafakian,
Mr. and Mrs. Rudi Shafakian and Grandchildren Talia and Micaela
Hospitality Table to be Hosted by:
Shafakian Family in memory of Mardiors Shafakian
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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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Veil of Separation -
The Altar Curtain in the
Armenian Church
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During Great Lent, the altar curtain remains closed in the Armenian Church to symbolize man's expulsion from the Garden of Eden and to emphasize the spirit of repentance and forbearance characterizing the 40-day period preceding Holy Week. Many churches replace the traditional altar curtain with dark and simple drapery bearing little or no embroidery.
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St. Mary Armenian Church
Annual Journal 2018
is Now Available Online
Click here to view the various events and activities that took place in 2018
Hard copy of the Annual Journal 2018 is available for purchase in
St. Mary Gift Shop |
ST. MARY ANNUAL
PARISH ASSEMBLY
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ST. MARY ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY
took place on Sunday, February 10.
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Part-Time Church Maintenance Supervisor Opportunity
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St. Mary Church is looking for a part-time church building maintenance supervisor.
If interested and would like to know more details, please contact the church office by email
[email protected] or
call
202-363-1923.
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St. Mary Armenian Church
WED Educational
Fund Scholarship
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Application for WED Educational Fund Scholarship is now available at St. Mary website www.stmaryaac.org. The application deadline for the 2019-20 academic year is
May 31, 2019.
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Diocese Now Accepting
Scholarship Applications
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Applications for Diocesan scholarships are now available online. The application deadline for the 2019-20 academic year is May 17, 2019.
Each year the Diocese awards scholarships to promising youth who are headed to college. The Diocese seeks students who are active in their local parishes and have assumed leadership roles in their communities.
Click here to access the scholarship application. For information, contact Maria Barsoumian at (212) 686-0710.
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2019 DC Francophonie Festival
March 13, 20, 27, April 3 and 10
Every Wednesday during Lenten Period
Worship Service, Spiritual Discussion and Lenten Dinner
April 7
The Trial of Soghomon Tehlirian,
A Play by Perch Zeytuntsyan
March 23
Saintly Women's Guild Day
April 14, 18, 19, 20 and 21
Holy Week and Easter Schedule
May 18
Welcome Bishop Daniel Back to America
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CALENDAR OF FEASTS & EVENTS
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March 13, 20, 27, April 3 and 10
Every Wednesday during Lenten Period
Worship Service, Spiritual Discussion and Lenten Dinner
March 23
Women's Guild Saintly Women's Day
April 7
Annunciation to the Virgin Mary
April 7
The Trial of Soghomon Tehlirian
A Play by
Perch Zeytuntsyan
April 14
Palm Sunday
April 21
Easter Sunday
April 24
Feast of the Holy Martyrs of
the Armenian Genocide
April 26
Dr. Akcam Lecture, at St. Mary Church
(Details to follow)
May 17-19
Spring Food Festival
May 25
Ararat Avak Society Brunch
May 30
Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ
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FAR Gives Women the Opportunity to Better Support Their Families Through Microenterprise
Astghik Tserunyan, 32, a housewife and mother of three, had for a long time been looking for a way to increase her income. In her tiny village of Aygedzor, however, options are slim. FAR's Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Program (BCPP) helped turn her interest in sewing into her own small business. The program's Social Component for Large Families initiative helps low-income families with at least three children to better their situations through individualized action plans and microenterprise opportunities. After Astghik received her sewing machine, materials, and her first job offer through FAR to make new bedclothes for local kindergartens, she has become more in control of her family's finances.
"We were recently able to afford some dental work for my youngest daughter," she said. "I can't complain. There is income now."
To read more, go to:
LINK
To
support this project, go to
LINK
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Sunday of the Expulsion
The cycle of Sundays in Great Lent begins this weekend with the Sunday of the Expulsion-a reference to the exile of Adam and Eve from Paradise.
This day reminds us of the loss of man's happiness due to his disobedience. During this day's service the hymn of St. Nersess the Graceful, Vor Zorenes Serpoutian, describes man's fall: how Adam and Eve experienced the bitterness of sin and death, how they first felt "fear" in their hearts, and "hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees in the garden."
Thereafter, the re-establishment of the friendship between God and man had to await God's entry into our lives. Through this act of grace, man is able to search his heart, perceive his condition as an exile of "paradise lost," and see that God has given human beings the opportunity to regain their former status.
Click here to learn more about the Sundays of the Lenten season.
Click here to see St. Mary's Worship Service flyer
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Poon Paregentan Celebration at St.Mary
The Women's Guild hosted a wonderful Paregentan celebration with festive hall decorations and table centerpieces on Saturday, March 2nd. The event was attended by over 100 guests who enjoyed the delicious appetizers, dinner and desserts. Music for the night was provided by DJ Bedro, who entertained the crowd all night. The Women's Guild Executive Committee is thankful to all those who helped make the evening a huge success!
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Lenten Service, Discussion and Dinner Series Begins
The first of a six night series began on Wednesday, March 6. Parishioners and friends came together for a worship service, spiritual presentation and dinner with this year's theme entitled "Leading to Easter: Searching the Soul". The topic concentrates on the journey through Lent meditating on the last three chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. The season of Lent is a season for searching the soul through the lenses of the people closest to Jesus in His last hours. The last three chapters of Matthew are a juxtaposition of stories.
Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan kicked off the series with a presentation entitled "The Cross calls us to worship", Matthew 26:1-16.
Toward the end of the service and presentation the parishioners enjoyed each others fellowship and dinner hosted and sponsored by the Parish Council.
Please, join us next Wednesday and make your Lenten journey more meaningful and fulfilling.
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2019 DC Francophonie Festival
We are thrilled to announce the kick-off of the 2019 DC Francophonie Festival. The Armenian Embassy, in partnership with the French Embassy, La Maison Francaise and the Smithsonian Associates, presents two concerts by Los Angeles-based band Paris Chansons on Saturday, March 16th, at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm at La Maison Francaise (4101 Reservoir Rd., NW, Washington DC 20007) - "A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO AZNAVOUR", plus French classics by Dassin, Piaf, Macias, Adamo, Zaz and others.
Tickets are on sale. Please follow the links below to choose your preferred time and purchase your tickets:
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Saintly Women's Day
Our annual Saintly Women's Day celebration will take place on
Saturday, March 23 at 11:00 am. Please join our Women's Guild members and community to honor three women from the Holy Gospels: the woman who touched Jesus' cloak, the woman who anointed Jesus' head at Bethany and the Syrophoenician woman.
Our guest speaker this year is
Prof. Robin Darling Young, Ph.D. She is an associate professor of theology and religious studies at the Catholic University of America. Prof. Darling Young is a prominent scholar of Early Christianity and History of Christianity, Christian Theology and Spirituality, Christianity in the East/Middle East, Monasticism, Orthodox Churches and Ecumenical Relations. The topic of her presentation will be: "Women Saints in the Narratives of Early Christian Armenia".
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Please join us
Every Wednesday during the Lenten Period
LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICE 7:00 PM
SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION 7:30 PM
LENTEN DINNER 8:00 PM
"Leading to Easter: Searching the Soul"
Please join us Wednesdays during Lent for prayer service, spiritual discussion, and dinner.
This year we will journey through Lent meditating on the last three chapters of the Gospel of Matthew.
The season of Lent is a season for searching the soul. As you study Matthew 26-28, you will search your own soul through the lenses of the people closest to Jesus in His last hours. The last three chapters of Matthew are a juxtaposition of stories.
Throughout our journey we will address Communion, Jesus' deserters, His submission to the Father, and His crucifixion. While the theme of rejection runs through these chapters in Matthew, there is good news: joy of the resurrection that you can experience with new eyes.
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Brazilian Carnival Proclaims: Viva Hayastan!?
A visually impressive-but admittedly bizarre-depiction of Armenia's heritage could be seen last Saturday in Sao Paulo, Brazil, during the flamboyant, pre-Lenten festival of Carnival. There, one of the prominent "samba schools" devoted its parade program to the theme, "Viva Hayastan!"
A dazzling procession of costumes, music, choreography, and gigantic floats celebrated various aspects of Armenian identity, including (among other things) Mount Ararat; the groong, or crane that brings messages from the homeland; pagan deities of Armenian antiquity; Armenia's apostles, saints and kings; the Armenian alphabet; Armenian carpets; and Charles Aznavour.
The hour-long parade broadcast reached 140 countries, and some 200 million viewers. The production apparently went forward with the moral support of the Republic of Armenia's Embassy to Brazil, and some material support from the local Armenian community.
Was the result respectful or ridiculous? Judge for yourself-by clicking on the link to watch a short video clip of the parade. One thing is certain, however. "Viva Hayastan"-or "Long Live Armenia"-is a sentiment with which everyone can agree.
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New Choices Video
In the latest episode of the Eastern Diocese's online video series Choices, Fr. Tateos Abdalian encourages us to rediscover the practices, the habits, and above all the personal attitude that will make Great Lent meaningful and fulfilling.
We are currently only a few days into Lent, so there's plenty of time to let Fr. Abdalian's insights help you get the most out of the season. Click here to watch "
Rediscovering Lent."
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Parish and FAR Partner to Honor Heroic Writer
The name Zabel Yesayan evokes the image of a fearless Armenian advocate for justice. A prolific writer, her books include Among the Ruins, which describes Cilicia following the Adana massacres; My Soul In Exile, about the relocation of orphans after the Genocide; and her autobiography, The Gardens of Silihdar, which was published in Eastern Armenian for the first time this year.
The Holy Ascension Church of Trumbull, CT, has pledged $3,000 for a project to honor Zabel Yesayan's memory in her homeland. Through the Fund for Armenian Relief, the money will be used to renovate and dedicate a classroom in her name at Yerevan State University-itself marking its 100th year. A dedication plaque, along with photos of her life and a collection of her literary works, will be on display in the room.
"After finding that there were no schools or streets in Armenia named after this writer, we thought something should be done in her memory," said Holy Ascension pastor Fr. Untzag Nalbandian. "Yerevan State University was an ideal place because she taught there."
The congregation aims to raise the money by April 1, primarily through an event on March 24 (for information, see the listing under Upcoming Parish Events). The new YSU classroom will be unveiled in September, when FAR's Board of Directors travels as a group to Armenia to honor the 30th anniversary of FAR.
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2019 Diocesan Assembly to Meet in Watertown, MA
The 117th Diocesan Assembly will convene May 2-4, 2019, at the Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA. The St. James Church of Watertown, MA, will host the Diocesan Assembly, the concurrent Women's Guild Assembly, and the Clergy Conference (meeting April 29-May 1), bringing together hundreds of Armenian Church leaders from the Eastern Diocese. Diocesan Primate the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan will preside.
Clergy, Diocesan delegates, and parish council chairs will soon receive notification (via mail and e-mail) regarding registration. Information on the 117th Diocesan Assembly-including online registration and room reservations-will be available on the St. James parish website in the coming weeks.
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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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READ MORE NEWS FROM DIOCESE
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7 Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one let-ter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 There-fore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. 31 "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one. 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters,[m] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:17-48
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COME VISIT THE ST. MARY GIFT SHOP
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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Sign-up and 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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