ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH 
SHNORHALI MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2018
A Longtime Choir Master is Remembered

On Saturday, September 8 the fellow choir members, family and friends of our late choir director Dr. Socrates Boyajian came together at St. Mary Church hall to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his passing. Dr. Boyajian was a dedicated member of St. Mary who brought his professional services to serve the community and God. His longtime dedication and love for his beloved church have not been forgotten as the fellow members of both Ani and St. Mary Choir during the commemoration and celebration of his life shared many wonderful stories and memories about him. The evening was filled with mixed emotions: his absence brought sadness to the hearts of many but the wonderful memories and tremendous legacy that he has left behind brought comfort and relief. 

The evening also was marked with recognition and honor of Maestro Arsen Sayan for his establishment, contribution and longtime dedication to the Ani Chorale Group. Yn. Anahid Kalayjian and Ms. Clara Andonian also were honored during the commemoration as the original members of the group. 

The next day, during the Hokehankist service, prayers was offered for the soul of Dr. Socrates Boyajian. During the Hokehankist, the community also prayed for the soul of Der Vertaness Avag Kahana Kalayjian on the occasion of his second anniversary of passing. 
Women's Guild General Meeting

On Saturday, September 8, the Women's Guild held their first general meeting after summer break with a delicious breakfast hosted by the Executive Committee. With 22 members in attendance, the meeting started with an opening prayer from Der Hayr, a devotional message from Clara Andonian and an inspirational message from Arda. Nadya Chubukian gave the Chairman's report which included the Fall Food Festival Workshop Schedule and a kitchen clean-up day. Numerous members volunteered to participate in the kitchen clean-up day to be held on Wednesday, September 12th. Nadya Chubukian also presented the proposed Calendar of Events for the remainder of 2018. This included a Cultural Event in October, Women's Guild Elections and Thanksgiving Lunch in November, and a Christmas Party and Bake Sale in December. The meeting adjourned with Der Hayr's closing prayer.
Congratulations to our Graduate Aline Bogosion!

St. Mary's Sunday School marked a great achievement during the last academic year. For the first time in many years, it had its first graduate. Alene Boghosian, the daughter of Ara and Joyce Bogosian, graduated from the Diocesan Sunday School program. She successfully completed the prescribed course of study and met the requirements of Christian education in the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. 

Throughout last year, Alene worked very hard under the guidance of her teacher Mrs. Patricia Yeghissian, who made sure she was prepared to complete and pass the graduation requirements and test. At the conclusion of the Badarak, on Sunday, September 9, Der Hovsep recognized Alene for her achievements, presented her with the Diploma and wished her success and new accomplishments in her life with God's blessings. 

Special thanks to Mrs.Yeghissian as well as Ms. Becky Baghdasarian and Yn. Jennifer Karapetyan for their support and encouragement. Also, special appreciation to Ara and Joyce Boghosian for their dedication in preparing their daughter, Alene, for this valuable accomplishment. The Sunday School plans to continue this program and have more graduates for the 2018/2019 school year.
Knights and Daughters of Vartan presentation by Aram Bakshian

On Tuesday, September 11, Hon. Aram Bakshian, Speech Writer for Presidents Nixon, Ford Director of Presidential Speech writing for Ronald Reagan spoke at the church hall, about the subject "At The White House With President Reagan and The Current Affairs In The White House Today".

 The event started with one minute of silence in memory of of the victims of September 11 and was organized by Knights and Daughters of Vartan. Present were newly appointed Deputy chief of the Mission of the Armenian Embassy, Mr. Ara Magarian, newly appointed consul Arsen Mikayelyan, first and second secretaries Nareg Melikyana and David Janazian. David Zenian introduced the guest speaker, who presented the political periods of the presidents whom he worked with and reflected on the White House today. 

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor, made the closing remarks and blessed the public. In the picture, members of the Daughters of Vartan with Hon. Aram Bakshian.
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 16, 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
A Celebration of Armenia's Independence Day

The 27th Anniversary of Armenia's Independence Day was celebrated at St. Mary with a special Thanksgiving Prayer Service for the Republic of Armenia on Sunday, September 23. The service took place immediately after Badarak and was presided by H. E. Abp. Vicken Aykazian. 

At the conclusion of the Thanksgiving Prayer parishioners and friends enjoyed a beautiful program at the church hall co-hosted by St. Mary Parish Council and the Knights and Daughters of Vartan. The program included an interesting presentation by Mr. Arsen Mikayelyan, Newly Appointed Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Washington, DC, as well as beautiful performances and reception by St. Mary's young members Andre Alexandrian, Anayis Chubukian and Hovsep Seferian. 

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.
ACYOA Juniors Fall Cookout

The ACYOA Juniors teen youth group held a pot luck dinner on September 22nd at the home of Der Hayr and Yn Jennifer Karapetyan. The group enjoyed volleyball and basketball, practicing for the upcoming Fall Sports Weekend event in New York. Teens also participated in a devotional Bible Study lead by Becky Bagdasarian.  

Parents took the opportunity to discuss event planning for the upcoming year. It was a wonderful time of seeing old friends and making new ones! A special thanks goes out to all the youth advisers, the parents, and Der Hayr and Yn for making the evening special.
Food Festival Preparations

Our loyal Women's Guild members and volunteers have once again devoted the entire month of September to preparing for the St. Mary 70th Annual Armenian Fall Food Festival. They have prepared hundreds of delicious food items in the kitchen as we have enjoyed the aromas throughout the church. The authentic Armenian dishes are from recipes that have long been part of our proud heritage and we are ever so grateful for their time, energy, and skills. Our heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of them. 

There is still an opportunity for you to contribute by volunteering to one of the remaining workshops or during the Food Festival days!
Hokehankists - Requiem Services

September 2, 2018
For the Soul of: Haroutioun Bardizbanian
Requested by: Raffie, Maureen, Arthur & Raffie Jr. Bardizbanian

September 9, 2018
For the Soul of: Der Vertanes Avaq Qahana Kalayjian(2nd anniversary)
Requested by: Diramayr Zabelle Kalayjian Mother Yeretzgin Anahid, Sons Zaven and family, Der Avedis and family, and Berj

For the Soul of: Dr. Socrates Boyajian (10th anniversary)
Requested by: Molly Boyajian, St Mary choir, and Ani choral group

For the Soul of: Greta Abrahamyan
Requested by: Ella Khartashyan, Artur and Naira Babayan, Joann and Mariam Khaloyan

Sepember 30, 2018
For the Soul of: Berjouhi Kazanjian
Requested by: The Kazanjian-Law Family (Ani, Larry, Jennie & Peter)

For the Soul of: Dr. John Berberian (1st year) Artine & Evelyne Berberian, Dr. George Berberian, Melda Fares, Henriette Najarian, Karnig & Asdghig Minassian
Requested by : Minassian, Berberian, Fares, Najarian, Alger, and Mercier Families

May God rest Their soul in peace and may His loving favor be with the loved ones .  
Baptism and Confirmation

September 15, 2018
Emin Ashot Tarpinian
Son of Andre Ara and Karineh Tarpinian
Godparents: Garen Shahverdian and Ava Manokian

Armen Shant Tarpinian
Son of Andre Ara and Karineh Tarpinian
Godparents: Norik Khachatourian and Manda Paul

May God bless our newly baptized with His love and may His protection and guidance always be with Them.
St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church  
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden Street N.W, Washington, DC 20016 
202-363-1923 / www.stmaryaac.org