Morning Service
10:00 AM
Holy Badarak
10:30 AM
Celebrant
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan
Ushers
Rouzanna Oganissian and
Nora Shafakian
Parish Council Members on Duty
Mr. Bagrat Bayburtian, Dr. Ara Avedisian And
Mr. Mark Krikorian
Choir
Mrs. Edita Kalayjian
Organist
Mrs. Karine Muradyan
Bible Reading
Isaiah 66:1-24, Colossians 2:8-3:17,
Matthew 22:34-23:39
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HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE
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HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE
For the Soul of:
Mary Sarkisian
Requested by:
Andonian Family, Eaton Family, Jacobs Family
Hospitality Table will be Host By:
Andonian Family and Friends in memorie of Mary Sarkisian
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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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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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The Trial of Soghomon Tehlirian,
A Play by Perch Zeytuntsyan
April 9
Free Bus Ride from St. Mary to the
Congressional Armenian Genocide Commemoration
April 9
Armenian Genocide commemoration
See details here
April 10
Every Wednesday during Lenten Period
Worship Service, Spiritual Discussion and Lenten Dinner
April 14
Armenian Easter Choreg Sale
April 14
Palm Sunday
ACYOA Juniors Luncheon and Program
April 14, 18, 19, 20 and 21
Holy Week and Easter Schedule
April 26
Lecture and Book Signing
by Dr. Taner Akcam
April 28
The Remembrance of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide
April 28
Dance Group's performance
May 5
Armenian Spring Benefit Concert With Joelle
May 18
Welcome Bishop Daniel Back to America
May 17-19
St. Mary 9th Annual
Armenian Spring Food Festival
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CALENDAR OF FEASTS & EVENTS
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April 7
Annunciation to the Virgin Mary
April 7
The Trial of Soghomon Tehlirian
A Play by
Perch Zeytuntsyan
April 10
Every Wednesday during Lenten Period
Worship Service, Spiritual Discussion and Lenten Dinner
April 14
Palm Sunday
ACYOA Juniors Luncheon and Program
April 21
Easter Sunday
April 24
Feast of the Holy Martyrs of
the Armenian Genocide
April 26
Dr. Taner Akcam Lecture and Book signing
at St. Mary Church
April 28
Shnorhali School Dancing group performance
after badarak in the church hal
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's GTech Course Helps Youth Find Employment in IT
Thanks to one of FAR's Gyumri Information Technology Center (GTech) recent projects, more promising young people have secured jobs at some of Armenia's leading IT companies. Called "Boosting Technological Developments," it aims to support development of the region through skills enrichment of young and vulnerable populations. About 80 students can participate at a time in the course, which has a corresponding internship. Most who complete it have already found employment. Nvard Martirosyan, 23, was studying finance when she got interested in programming and heard about a new GTech course. She interned at Chessify and now works there as an IOS programmer. To learn more about GTech, go to
LINK
To
support this project, go to
LINK
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Beginnings and Endings: The Sunday of the Advent
Early in our journey through Great Lent we observed the
Sunday
of the Expulsion, which retold the story of mankind's first disobedience, our exile from paradise, and the beginning of humanity's long history of separation from God.
In a nice expression of symmetry and resolution, Lent concludes with the
Sunday
of the Advent (
March 18
): that is, the coming of Jesus Christ, through whom God entered human history and restored what had been lost in the exile from Eden.
The Advent calls to mind the birth and revelation of our Savior, his subsequent sacrifice for mankind, and his victory over sin and death. As the last Sunday of Lent, this day is especially devoted to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, reminding us that he is our eternal Lord and King. Just as everything once
began
with God, so too will everything one day
end
with Him.
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"With God, Nothing Is Impossible"
On Saturday, April 7, the Armenian Church will celebrate the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary: one of five feast days devoted to the blessed mother of Jesus Christ, and the first such feast to arise in a given year.
It concerns the defining event of Mary's life: her realization that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of His Son. The announcement came by way of the angel Gabriel. "Behold," he said, "you shall conceive and bring forth a son, and call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and be called the Son of the Highest ... and of his kingdom there shall be no end."
In her youthful innocence, Mary asked how this could ever come to pass. Gabriel's reply-"With God, nothing shall be impossible"-is one of our greatest expressions of Christian hope. And Mary's reply is equally inspiring: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word."
Nine months later, her son was born-and with him, the hope of the world's redemption. It's worth noting that the Armenian Church's fixed date for the Annunciation, April 7, comes exactly nine months before the Armenian Church's fixed date for the celebration of Christmas, January 6. The entire touching story is told at
Luke 1:26-38.
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Palm Sunday at St. Mary
On the occasion of the celebration of the Palm Sunday St. Mary ACYOA Juniors invite you to Luncheon & Program which will take place on Sunday, April 14, immediately after Badarak.
Our Guest Celebrant for Palm Sunday is Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. We will also have a beautiful opportunity to enjoy the presence of our Seminarians who will visit our parish over the weekend , serve on the altar , and be our guests during the luncheon in the church hall.
This year our special honoree during the Palm Sunday luncheon is Mrs. Patricia Yeghissian, youth adviser, Sunday School teacher and a dedicated parishioner.
Please RSVP by April 9 by either calling the church office at 202-363-1923 or Yn. Jennifer at 202-509 -5005. You can also email with your RSVP to [email protected].
Please come, enjoy the beautiful celebration and support our youth!
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Annual Mid- Lenten Luncheon
The Women's Guild Mid-Lenten lunch was held on Sunday, March 31st after church services. The hall was filled with over 70 guests who enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with friends and family as they ate a delicious lunch of Lenten foods. The day's event was organized by Hrip Sivaslian and Sona Bakirci, and all of the food was donated by many of the generous Women's Guild members. Thank you to all who donated and supported the event.
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Lenten Service, Discussion and Dinner Series 2019
The fifth presentation of a six night series took place on Wednesday, April 3. 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.
Mr. Ara Stepanyan gave a meditation about how even in His weakness on the cross, Christ revealed His greatness. Concentrating on the verses found in Matthew 27:27-54, he led the audience to meditate on the seen of Crucifixion of Christ.
As Matthew relates the story of Jesus' crucifixion, the theme that runs through all the details is rejection. Not only did people fail to see the value of Jesus, they also didn't understand the value of His death. In his message he tracked this trail of rejection so that we can avoid being so blind.
Toward the end of the service and presentation the parishioners enjoyed each others fellowship and dinner hosted and sponsored by St. Mary Shnorhali School
.
Please, join us next Wednesday and make your Lenten journey more meaningful and fulfilling.
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Mrs. Anna Hakobyan's visit to Washington, DC
Mrs. Anna Hakobyan, Spouse of the Prime Minister of Armenia and President of the Board of Trustees of "My Step" and "City of Smiles" charitable foundations, is in the United States. On the first working day of her visit to Washington DC Mrs. Hakobyan, accompanied by Ambassador Varuzhan Nersesyan, Principal Deputy Librarian of the Library of Congress Mark Sweeney and former Armenia and Georgia Area Specialist Levon Avdoyan, toured The Library of Congressongress and viewed the collection of Armenian manuscripts and other rare objects and documents displayed at the Library.
Following the tour of the Library of Congress, Mrs. Hakobyan spoke at a reception on the Hill, hosted by Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Congresswoman Jackie Speier and member of the Caucus Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and attended by Representative Frank Pallone Jr., Congressman Adam Schiff, Congressman Mike Thompson, Congressman TJ Cox, Judy Chu, Raja Krishnamoorthi - Congressman, IL-8, Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, Rep. Tom Suozzi, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui and Representative Zoe Lofgren.
Later in the evening Mrs. Hakobyan had the opportunity to meet and interact with members of the DC Metro area Armenian-American community at a reception hosted by the Embassy of Armenia, supported by St Mary Armenian Apostolic Church and Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church Women's Guild and the The Knights and Daughters of Vartan.
Sours: Embassy of Armenia to the U.S.
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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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Holy Week Services at St. Mary
As Lent draws to a close, the Armenian Church looks forward to the beginning of Holy Week, which will culminate in the Easter Sunday celebration on April 21.
At St. Mary Armenian Church, Holy Week will be observed April 14 through April 21.
On
Sunday, April 14 the Palm Sunday celebration will begin with Holy Badarak and followed by Opening of Doors Service (Trnpatsek). ACYOA Luncheon and Program will take place at the church hall after the church services.
On Thursday, April 18 the Great and Holy Thursday celebration will begin with the Holy Badarak and Washing of the Feet service at 6:00 pm.
After a short break
The Order of the Betrayal and Passion will take place.
On Friday, April 19 the Great and Holy Friday the order of the Crucifixion will be conducted at 12:30 pm and the church will be open for prayers until 3:00 pm.
In the evening T
he Order of the Entombment of our Lord will take place at 7:00 pm.
On Holy Saturday, April 20 Easter Eve celebration will begin with Evening Service and Bible readings at 6:00 pm, followed by Jrakalooyts Badarak.
The Traditional Home Blessing service and reception will follow Badarak in the church hall.
On Easter Sunday, April 21 Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan will celebrate the liturgy and deliver the homily. Immediately following the service traditional egg-cracking and reception will take place at the church hall hosted by Shnorhali Armenian School.
Click here for a complete schedule of Holy Week services
MERELOTS SERVICE (April 22, 2019)- If you would like Der Hovsep to do a special graveside blessing service for your loved ones, please contact the church office on 202.363.1923.
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In Memoriam: Edward Onanian (1936-2019)
The Eastern Diocese grieves at the loss of Edward Onanian: a remarkable, long-time leader of the Eastern Diocese, who passed away on April 1 at the age of 82.
Deeply committed throughout his life to the Armenian Church, Mr. Onanian was a member of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, and the St. Mary Church of Washington, DC. He was a pillar of both parishes, serving on their respective parish councils, investment committees, and nearly every endeavor that aimed to build, expand, or fortify those churches. He served on the Diocesan Council for 10 years (1983-1993), and as a Diocesan delegate for more than 25. These were logical extensions of Edward's years of leadership in the early 1960s on the ACYOA Central Council (which he chaired) and the Choir Association.
He was awarded the "St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal" by His Holiness Vasken I, the Catholicos of All Armenians, in the late 1980s. He is survived by his wife Zvart, daughters Laurie and Deborah, grandsons John and Avedis, brother Harry, and numerous loved ones.
"I instinctively associate Edward Onanian with the inner workings of our Diocese," said Diocesan Primate Fr. Daniel Findikyan. "Long before I met him personally, I had heard his name constantly in various church circles. The scope of his contributions was vast, and affected virtually every facet of our Diocese."
The funeral service for Edward Onanian will take place at the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church in Providence, on Saturday, April 6. Visiting hours will begin at 10 a.m., with the funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at North Burial Ground in Providence. Memorial donations may be made to Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church (70 Jefferson St., Providence, RI 02908) or St. Mary Church (4125 Fessenden St. N.W., Washington, DC 20016).
May our risen Lord remember his servant on the day of his judgment.
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Property Rights and the Armenian Patriarchate
A court case involving the property rights and legal standing of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople has been getting some attention recently.
In a February ruling, an Istanbul court decreed that the deed of the historic Sanasaryan Han (Inn) in central Istanbul would remain Turkish state property. The case highlights many of the difficulties still facing Armenian and religious-minority property rights in that country.
Dr. Christopher Sheklian, director of the Diocese's Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, offers an insightful discussion of the case-its possible consequences for other Armenian-established properties, and the health of the Armenian community in Istanbul-on the website "Public Orthodoxy."
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A "Taste of Lent" in Cheltenham Helps Relieve Hunger in Armenia
Usually, parishioners of the Holy Trinity Church (Cheltenham, PA) enjoy coffee and refreshments at the fellowship hour following Sunday morning badarak
. But on Sunday, March 31, the students and teachers of the parish school asked everyone to go home a little bit hungry-to make a point in a worthy cause.
Taking inspiration from Jesus' words in Matthew's Gospel-"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink.... What you did for the least of these my brethren, you did for me"-and with a nod to the Lenten Drive of the Diocese's Christian Education department (which this year is raising funds to combat child malnutrition in Armenia), the Cheltenham students opened a "soup kitchen" for their fellow parishioners.
Children served Lenten soups prepared by their parents and teachers, and accepted contributions for the Lenten Drive. Turnout at the "soup kitchen" exceeded expectations, and resulted in $1,200 raised for the cause.
Holy Trinity pastor Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan commended the school's leadership-Nancy Hovnanian, Patti Ayjian Smith, and Yn. Anna Gevorgyan-for giving the church family such a creative opportunity to experience the Lenten spirit of self-sacrifice and mercy to others.
The funds collected by the young people will be donated to the Fund for Armenian Relief, and earmarked for projects that relieve hunger and malnutrition in Armenia. These include feeding kindergartners in the rural Berd region, educating mothers-to-be and young mothers in infant nutrition, and delivering food to families living in extreme poverty.
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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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34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.
35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.
36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
38 This is the great and first commandment.
39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.".
41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,
42 saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David."
43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,
44
"'The Lord said to my Lord,
"Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet"'?
45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?"
46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat,
3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,[a] and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues
7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi[b] by others.
8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.[c]
9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 22:34-23:39
34Իսկ փարիսեցիները երբ լսեցին, թէ նա պապանձեցրեց սադուկեցիներին, ի մի հաւաքուեցին. 35եւ նրանցից մէկը նրան փորձելով՝ հարցրեց ու ասաց. 36«Վարդապե՛տ, Օրէնքի մէջ ո՞ր պատուիրանն է մեծ»։ 37Եւ Յիսուս նրան ասաց. «Պիտի սիրես քո Տէր Աստծուն քո ամբողջ սրտով, քո ամբողջ հոգով ու քո ամբողջ մտքով։ 38Այս է մեծը եւ առաջին պատուիրանը. 39եւ երկրորդը սրա նման է. Պիտի սիրես քո ընկերոջը, ինչպէս քո անձը։ 40Այս երկու պատուիրաններից են կախուած ամբողջ Օրէնքը եւ մարգարէները»։41Եւ երբ փարիսեցիները հաւաքուեցին, Յիսուս նրանց հարցրեց ու ասաց. 42«Ի՞նչ կարծիք ունէք Քրիստոսի մասին, ո՞ւմ որդին է»։Նրան ասացին՝ Դաւթի։ 43Յիսուս նրանց ասաց. «Իսկ Դաւիթն ինչպէ՞ս նրան Սուրբ Հոգով կոչում է Տէր եւ ասում է. 44«Տէրն իմ տիրոջն ասաց՝ նստի՛ր իմ աջ կողմում, մինչեւ որ քո թշնամիներին դնեմ քո ոտքերի տակ իբրեւ պատուանդան»։ 45Իսկ եթէ Դաւիթը նրան Տէր է կոչում, ինչպէ՞ս նրա որդին կը լինի»։ 46Եւ ոչ ոք նրան մի բառ պատասխան չկարողացաւ տալ։ Եւ այդ օրուանից ոչ ոք չէր համարձակւում նրան մի որեւէ բան հարցնել։ 23 Այն ժամանակ Յիսուս խօսեց ժողովրդին եւ իր աշակերտներին ու ասաց. 2«Մովսէսի աթոռի վրայ նստեցին օրէնսգէտներն ու փարիսեցիները. 3ամէն ինչ, որ նրանք ձեզ ասեն,արէ՛ք եւ պահեցէ՛ք, բայց մի՛ արէք ըստ նրանց գործերի, քանի որ ասում են,բայց չեն անում։ 4Ծանր ու դժուարակիր բեռներ են կապում եւ դնում մարդկանց ուսերի վրայ, բայց իրենց մատով անգամ չեն կամենում շարժել դըրանք։ 5Եւ իրենց բոլոր գործերն անում են՝ ի ցոյց մարդկանց.լայնացնում են իրենց գրապանակները եւ երկարացնում են իրենց զգեստների ծոպերը։ 6Սիրում են ընթրիքների ժամանակ պատուոյ տեղերը,ժողովարաններում՝ նախապատիւ աթոռները եւ հրապարակներում ողջոյններ առնել 7ու մարդկանցից կոչուել՝ ռաբբի, որ նշանակում է ուսուցիչ։ 8Բայց դուք որեւէ մէկին ուսուցիչ մի՛ կոչէք, որովհետեւ ձեր ուսուցիչը մէկ է, եւ դուք բոլորդ եղբայրներ էք։ 9Եւ երկրի վրայ ոչ մէկին ձեզ հայր մի՛ կոչէք, որովհետեւ մէ՛կ է ձեր Հայրը, որ երկնքում է։ 10Եւ ուսուցիչներ չկոչուէք, որովհետեւ Քրիստոս է ձեր ուսուցիչը։ 11Եւ ձեզնից մեծը ձեր սպասաւորը պիտի լինի։ 12Ով իր անձը բարձրացնում է, կխոնարհուի. եւ ով խոնարհեցնում է իր անձը, կբարձրանայ.
Մաթէոսի 22:34-23:39
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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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