MAY 24                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              21 /2019
www.stmaryaac.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            E-Newsletter Archive
St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church 
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016 
Tel. 202-363-1923
Email. stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2019
Morning Service 
10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 
10:30 AM

Celebrant 
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan
 
Ushers
Mrs. Sara Arabian and Mr. Armik Khatchatourians

Parish Council Members on Duty
Mr. Bagrat Bayburtian, Mr. Ara Stepanian and Mr. Mark Krikorian

Choir 
Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist 
Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Reading 
Acts 20:17-38. 1 John 3:2-6.
John 9:39-10:10
HOKEHANKIST 
REQUIEM SERVICE

HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE 

For the Soul of:
Sossie Zenian (5th Anniversary)

Requested by:
Vartan P. Zenian, 
Arda Z, Belt, 
Mr. Steve and Mrs. Zarminee Evereklian,
Melvina Evereklian and Tanya S. Evereklian

-------------------------------------------------
To request a Hokehankist/Requiem Service
Please contact the Church Office
by 12:00 Noon on Thursday
202-363-1923 or 
E-mail  stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
MEMORIAL DAY 

On Monday, May 27, 2019 Americans across this nation and citizens located around the world will pause throughout the day to observe Memorial Day. Since its first official observation on May 5, 1868, when it was called Declaration Day, it has been a day of remembrance for those who sacrificed and died in our nation's service. And while it was originally dedicated to honor Civil War soldiers, we know it today as a celebration in memory of all who have fought for and defended our right to freedom.
Part-Time Church Maintenance Supervisor Opportunity 

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 stmarychurchdc@gmail.com or 
call 202-363-1923.
St. Mary Armenian Church
WED Educational
Fund Scholarship 

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.

Click here to access the scholarship application. If you have questions, contact St. Mary Church office at  stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Armenian Dance Classes

Every Tuesday


May 25
Ararat Avak Society Spring Brunch 


May 31
Hampartsum Dinner and Dance


June 2 and 9
Shnorhali School Hantess


June 29
Spacial tour to the Hillwood Estate,
 Museum and Gardens

CALENDAR OF FEASTS & EVENTS
May 25
Ararat Avak Society Brunch
 
May 30 
Feast of the Ascension of 
Our Lord Jesus Christ 

May 31
Hampartsum Dinner and Dance  
 
June 2 and 9  
Shnorhali School Hantess  

June 29
Spacial tour to the Hillwood Estate,
Museum and Gardens
FAR NEWS CORNER


FAR Celebrates Thirty Years of Humanitarian Outreach

The year 2019 marks an incredible milestone for the Fund for Armenian Relief. It was 30 years ago this year- in January of 1989-that FAR carried out its first humanitarian mission in our beleaguered homeland. At the time, Armenia was an earthquake-ravaged Soviet republic.
 
Thirty years later, it is an independent republic, rapidly developing its great promise. And FAR is an integral part of Armenian life: an organization with diverse programs aimed at advancing the long-term goals of the Republic of Armenia-and meeting the critical needs of its people, including its most vulnerable populations. FAR has become a true partner in Armenia's growth and progress.
 
The fruits of FAR's 30-year journey are detailed in its 2018 Annual Report-which is available for download by clicking here.
 
The report is filled with notable achievements in FAR's ongoing effort to build a stronger, more sustainable Armenia-and to build relationships of trust with both the citizens who benefit from FAR's work, and the supporters who make it all possible.

TOP STORIES


FEAST OF ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

The Feast of Holy Ascension marks the ascent of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after His glorious Resurrection. The timing is clearly specified in the Acts of the Apostles, where it is stated that Christ presented himself alive to the Apostles, "appearing to them during forty days and speaking of the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3).
On the 40th day, after he finished speaking to the Apostles, "as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sigh." (Acts 1:9). The Gospel according to Mark sums up the same story as follows: "So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God" (Mark 16: 19). The same account is also in the Gospel according to Luke: "While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven" (Luke 24:51). There are also several references to this event in some of the other books of the New Testament."
PARISH NEWS

Spring Food Festival

St. Mary Church wishes to thank all of our devoted hard working volunteers and loyal Armenian food lovers for making this year's Spring Food Festival a success. During the days and evenings of May 17, 18 and 19 crowds dined throughout our church hall feasting on many of the Armenian favorites, such as, kabob, pilaf, hommus, and pita, as well as our sumptuous homemade baked goods which are always a hit and enjoyed by our guests.

We thank all of our volunteers and supporters wishing them an enjoy a restful summer, as we gear up for our Fall Food Festival to take place on October 3, 4, 5 and 6!

To view photos click here

Graduation Announcement

St Mary would like to congratulate our parishioners who are graduating from Senior High School, College, or University. Please submit the following information to the church office by May 26th to stmarychurchdc@gmail.com 
Student Name 
School Name 
Degree (Diploma, Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral)  
Student Email Address 
Future School (if any) 
DIOCESAN AND OTHER NEWS
Bishop Daniel's Return Badarak

Bishop Daniel's Return to Our Diocese

The newly consecrated Bishop Daniel Findikyan celebrated his first episcopal Divine Liturgy among the faithful of the Eastern Diocese on Saturday, May 18.

Hundreds of worshippers filled New York's St. Vartan Cathedral to welcome the Diocesan Primate back to America. Dignitaries from the worldwide Armenian Church and ecumenical arena, community leaders, Armenia's ambassadors to the United States and United Nations, along with clergy and faithful from throughout the Eastern Diocese came out to honor Bishop Daniel, following his ordination as a bishop of the Armenian Church a week earlier.

In a heartfelt sermon, Bishop Daniel reflected on this turning point in his ministry, and on the larger meaning of the bishop's vocation as articulated through Jesus Christ's homily on 'The Good Shepherd' in St. John's Gospel. Click on the link to watch Bishop Daniel's sermon, in English and Armenian.

Thousands of viewers watched the live broadcast of the May 18 badarak on the Eastern Diocese's YouTube and Facebook platforms, and thousands more have tuned in to the recorded program over the past several days. Click here to watch the badarak in its entirety-and share this splendid milestone in the Diocese's recent history.

Click on the following links to read more and view photos.

Diocesan Assembly: From Healing to Building

During the 117th Diocesan Assembly, which met earlier this month in Burlington, MA, the Diocesan Primate set a "healing tone" for the clergy and lay delegates gathered from across the Eastern Diocese. It marked the first time Fr. Daniel Findikyan presided over the assembly-and the last time he would do so before his elevation to the rank of bishop.

The Primate's formal address to the delegates outlined his ambitious set of priorities. The plan titled "Building Up the Body of Christ: A Vision for Our Diocese" includes ideas for reinvigorating Diocesan organizations, elevating liturgical services, and making education a priority for all segments of the church community. (To watch a recording of the Primate's address, click here.)

Items covered during the Diocesan Council report included operational changes at the Diocese; updates on ways to develop the material assets of the Diocese to benefit the organization, its parishes and people; and an extensive, detailed discussion of financial matters.

In panel discussions, delegates heard reports from Diocesan staff and leaders of the Diocese's auxiliary organizations. A final session introduced several proposals dealing with administration, membership, and practical considerations in the Diocesan operations.

The St. James Church of Watertown, MA, hosted the 2019 Diocesan Assembly. Click on the following links to read about the official proceedings, and to view a photo gallery.

And follow these additional links to read about the Clergy Conference, Women's Guild Assembly, and the Awards Banquet.

St. Nersess Seminary Graduates Three Students

On Friday, May 17, guests gathered at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in Armonk, NY, for the graduation of seminarians Dn. Albert Hambardzumyan, Dn. Alex Calikyan, and Johnny Chadoyan.

Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan presided over the ceremony and awarded diplomas to the graduates. Both Dn. Albert and Dn. Alex graduated from the seminary's Armenian Church Studies program, and the following day both received Master of Divinity degrees from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. Johnny graduated with a Certificate of Studies from St. Nersess and will continue with his studies at the University of Richmond.

Fr. Mardiros Chevian, seminary dean, opened the ceremony, which included remarks by Bishop Daniel, seminarians, faculty, as well as representatives of the board of directors, alumni association, and St. Vladimir's Seminary.

Click here to read more on the seminary's website.
MEMBERSHIP AND DUES 

 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

READ MORE NEWS FROM DIOCESE 
 
  BIBLE READING
39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?"41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.10 "Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.7 Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
(John 9:39-10:10)

39 Եւ Յիսուս ասաց. «Դատաստանի համար եկայ այս աշխարհը, որպէսզի, ովքեր չեն տեսնում, տեսնեն, եւ ովքեր տեսնում են, կուրանան»։ 40 Փարիսեցիներից ոմանք, որ Յիսուսի հետ էին, այդ լսեցին ու նրան ասացին. «Միթէ մե՞նք էլ կոյր ենք»։ 41 Յիսուս նրանց ասաց. «Եթէ կոյր լինէիք, դուք մեղք չէիք ունենայ, բայց հիմա ասում էք, թէ՝ տեսնում ենք. եւ ձեր մեղքը ձեր մէջ հաստատ է մնում»։10 «Ճշմարիտ, ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ, ով ոչխարների փարախը դռնով չի մտնում, այլ ուրիշ տեղով է բարձրանում, նա գող է եւ աւազակ. 2 իսկ ով դռնով է մտնում, հովիւ է ոչխարների։ 3 Դռնապանը նրա համար բացում է դուռը, եւ ոչխարները լսում են նրա ձայնը. նա իր ոչխարներին անուններով է կանչում եւ նրանց դուրս է հանում։ 4 Եւ երբ իր բոլոր ոչխարներին հանի, նրանց առջեւից է գնում, եւ ոչխարները հետեւում են նրան, որովհետեւ ճանաչում են նրա ձայնը։ 5 Օտարի յետեւից չեն գնայ, այլ կը փախչեն նրանից, որովհետեւ չեն ճանաչում օտարների ձայնը»։6 Յիսուս նրանց այս առակն ասաց, իսկ նրանք չէին իմանում, թէ ինչ էր այն, որ նա իրենց ասում էր։ 7 Դարձեալ Յիսուս նրանց ասաց. «Ճշմարիտ, ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ, որ ես եմ ոչխարների դուռը։ 8 Բոլոր նրանք, որ ինձնից առաջ եկան, գողեր էին ու աւազակներ, ուստի ոչխարները նրանց չլսեցին։ 9 Ես եմ դուռը. եթէ մէկը իմ միջով մտնի, կը փրկուի. կը մտնի ու կ'ելնի եւ ճարակելու բան կը գտնի։ 10 Գողը գալիս է միայն, որպէսզի գողանայ, սպանի եւ կորստեան մատնի. ես եկայ, որպէսզի կեանք ունենան եւ՝ առաւել եւս ունենան։
(Յովհ. 9:39-10:10)
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.
    
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.

Sign-up and Stay Connected  with  St. Mary Church E-Newsletters and Correspondence.
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.