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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Outnumbered, Defeated—But Never Forgotten
Every year on the Thursday preceding Great Lent, Armenians throughout the world commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Avarayr (A.D. 451). The armed forces of Armenia confronted the Persian Empire, which aimed to convert the world's first Christian nation to Zoroastrianism.
Armenia’s soldiers fighting under the leadership of St. Vartan Mamigonian are known as the Vartanank, and their day of remembrance is Vartanantz. We’ll mark it next week, on February 11.
On the field of Avarayr, outnumbered Armenian fighters faced a mighty Persian army. St. Vartan and his companions saw a military defeat, but their unyielding commitment to defend their faith ultimately thwarted the Persians, and ensured that Christianity would endure in Armenia.
Two days prior to the Feast of Sts. Vartanantz, the Armenian Church remembers the sacrifice of St. Leontius (Ghevont) the priest, and his companions. St. Ghevont is one of the great exemplars of the Armenian priesthood, remembered for his rare courage and resolution at the Battle of Avarayr.
On the eve of battle, Ghevont celebrated the Divine Liturgy, conferred the sacrament of Holy Communion on the soldiers, and baptized those who had not yet been received into the church. His stirring sermon assured the soldiers that their mystical union with Christ would survive even physical violence and death. In observance of Ghevontiantz Day, the clergy of the Eastern Diocese usually hold regional gatherings. This year, a service at the St. Leon Church (Fair Lawn, NJ) will be broadcast on the parish’s YouTube page, on Tuesday, February 9, at 11 a.m. Click here to learn more about St. Ghevont and his companions.
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Upcoming Parish Assembly - February 21, 2021
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Diocese allows each parish to decide how to proceed with the Annual Parish Assembly. The St. Mary Parish Council has decided to allow members to attend the meeting in person or virtually. The Parish Assembly meeting will take place on February 21st in the sanctuary, after Badarak.
If you are not comfortable attending in person, you may attend virtually via a Zoom meeting. If you are a dues-paying member and would like to attend the February 21 meeting via Zoom, please send your name, phone number, and email address to the office stmarychurchdc@gmail.com by February 11. The dues-paying members attending the meeting virtually will vote anonymously via Zoom. If there are two voting members in one household attending virtually, each one must pre-register with the office. To vote, each member must log in to the meeting via a separate device, such as a computer, tablet, or cell phone. More detail will be provided at a later date.
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HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE
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SUNDAY SCHEDULE FEBRUARY 7, 2021 |
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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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Morning Service
10:00 AM
Holy Badarak
10:30 AM
Celebrant
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan
PC Members on Duty
Mr.Artur Sivaslian
Ms.Shoghig Sahakyan
Usher
Mr.Garbis Chubukian
Choir
Mrs. Edita Kalayjian
Organist
Mrs. Karine Muradyan
Bible Reading
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Prayer of the Week
Lord, please keep watch over your faithful people and the holy soil of Artsakh and Armenia, now and always. Grant them strength, and lead us together through the present time of trial.
My soul is always in your hands and I place my hope in your Holy Cross, O Heavenly King. May the multitude of your saints intercede on my behalf. You who are patient with everyone, do not neglect me who trusts in you but keep me in peace with your precious and Holy Cross. Amen.
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Please tune in to St. Mary YouTube channel for the upcoming services and Badaraks |
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Daughters of Vartan and Saint Mary Gift Store's Carry-Out Luncheon
Congratulations to the Daughters of Vartan and St. Mary Gift Store committee for their overwhelmingly successful luncheon which benefited our soldiers and their families in Armenia.
Even in the face of adversity ( major snowstorm prediction ) everyone rolled up their sleeves and got into gear, upped the date, and cooked up a storm of delicious dishes to delight everyone’s palate. We were blessed to have wonderful volunteers and the dynamic duo - Aret and Raffi Sahakyan at the helm.
Aret, a multiple award-winning Chef, was the creator of a fabulous menu that was executed at the highest level by the kitchen staff. Chairlady/hostess, Margie Satian worked tirelessly to bring this all about. Sincerest thanks to all who supported this event! You made it all happen!
Kudos everyone “Tzerkernut Talar”!
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St. Mary Armenian Church
Legacy Brick Drive
Buy A Brick ... Leave A Legacy
Buy a brick and leave your legacy at St. Mary Armenian Church.
When you buy a brick, it is then engraved with your specified words or message, installed in front of the church, and becomes
a memory to view for years to come.
Laser engraved bricks will replace the existing bricks in our Church plaza,
in front of our beautiful Khatchkar, and can be dedicated to those
you wish to remember, honor Loved Ones, commemorate a
special milestone like a baptism or wedding, or
acknowledge an organization or business.
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Bishop Daniel Voices Concern For Armenia & Artsakh in Letter to New President
In the wake of President Biden’s inauguration as America’s 46th chief executive, Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, sent a letter to the White House conveying pressing concerns of the Armenian-American community.
Among these, he noted, are ensuring security for Armenia and Armenian communities in the Middle East; the health of our homeland in the aftermath of war and in the midst of the ongoing pandemic crisis; official recognition for Artsakh; and protection of Armenian and Christian heritage sites.
His appeal concluded: “Mr. President, as a man of faith yourself, I know that these concerns of an ancient Apostolic Christian nation are deeply meaningful to you. Please know that in pursuing the above objectives, the Armenian Church of America and its people are eager to support and assist your administration in any way we can.”
To read Bishop Daniel’s letter to President Biden, click here.
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Online Workshops from the Sacred Music Council
Throughout Great Lent, the Eastern Diocese’s Sacred Music Council is sponsoring three online workshop series for altar servers, choir singers, and church organists, scheduled to meet through March.
Each of the workshops will be led by Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, the Diocesan Sacred Music Instructor. Series topics include “Songs of the Sunrise, Peace, and Rest Services” (3 sessions); “Organ Technique” (4 sessions); and the “Ohrnootyoon Sharagans of Great Lent” (6 sessions).
The online sessions are free and open to the public. To learn more, view flyers and schedules, and find links and information on how to join, click here.
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FAR Distributes Aid to Displaced Artsakh Families
Numerous Armenian families displaced from their homes in Artsakh continue to grapple with an uncertain future. The Fund for Armenian Relief is committed to helping such families in this trying time, deploying teams in the field to assist them in their needs for housing, medical attention, and essential items.
The organization recently completed a distribution of 312 packages containing food, hygiene items, and school supplies to 84 Artsakh families that have resettled in Dilijan. Another 266 packages were distributed to 60 Artsakh families that have resettled in Ararat province.
FAR will continue to support families that have lost their homes in Artsakh. As it moves beyond the provision of emergency needs, FAR is exploring how to improve life for Artsakh families in the long-term.
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS |
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February 13
Women's Guild Great Barekendan Carry out Luncheon
February 14
Great Barekendan
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple
February 21
Annual Parish Assembly
March 6
Women's Guild Mitchink Luncheon
March 10
Median Day of Lent
March 28
Women's Guild Palm Sunday Bake Sale
April 4
Avak Society Easter Sunday Carry Out Luncheon
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PRAYERS FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR |
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Anne Andonian, Agopian David, Hripsime Apkarian, Lucy Badalian, Ellen Boudreau, Araxi Bozadjian, George Doris, Mari Dogum, Anahit Greene, Antaram Grigoryan, Susana Grigoryan, Simon Gukasyan, Karen Hatchik, Charles Hoke, Tamara Hramushina, Takvur Hubi, Jo-Anna Jacob, Edward Jamgochian, Yn. Anahid Kalayjian, Brig. Gen. Al Kaehn, Meline Kaehn, Kapikian Catherine, Michael Kolenick, Haigouhi Koudousian, Anahid Ghazarian Luka, Queen Manoogian, Susanna Mkrtchyan, Virginia (Corkigian) Mule, Armen Mark Nostrant, Marie Pashayani, Robert Riley, Robert Schlee, Grace Shahinian, Tamara Shatvoryan, Bob Semonian, Alyce Tamzarian, Mihran Tavoukjian, Hacik Ozdul, Marilyn Ziver
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37 Մեծ տօնի վերջին օրը Յիսուս կանգնած էր եւ աղաղակում էր՝ ասելով. «Եթէ մէկը ծարաւ է, թող ինձ մօտ գայ եւ խմի: 38 Ով ինձ հաւատում է, ինչպէս Գիրքն է ասում, նրա ներսից կենդանի ջրերի գետեր պիտի բխեն»: 39 Նա այս ասում էր Հոգու մասին, որին ընդունելու էին իրեն հաւատացողները. քանի որ Հոգին դեռեւս չկար, որովհետեւ Յիսուս դեռ փառաւորուած չէր: 40 Ժողովրդից ոմանք, երբ լսում էին այս խօսքերը, ասում էին. «Սա է ճշմարիտ մարգարէն». 41 ուրիշներն ասում էին. «Սա է Քրիստոսը». իսկ դեռ ուրիշներ ասում էին. «Մի՞թէ Քրիստոս Գալիլիայից է գալու. 42 չէ՞ որ Գիրքն ասում է, թէ Քրիստոս գալու է Դաւթի սերնդից եւ Բեթղեհէմ գիւղից, որտեղից Դաւիթն էր»: 43 Եւ ժողովրդի մէջ նրա պատճառով պառակտում եղաւ: 44 Եւ նրանցից ոմանք ուզեցին բռնել նրան, բայց ոչ ոք նրա վրայ ձեռք չդրեց: 45 Իսկ սպասաւորները վերադարձան քահանայապետների եւ փարիսեցիների մօտ. եւ սրանք նրանց ասացին. «Ինչո՞ւ նրան այստեղ չբերեցիք»: 46 Սպասաւորները պատասխանեցին ու ասացին. «Ոչ մի մարդ երբեք այնպէս չի խօսել, ինչպէս այն մարդը»: 47 Փարիսեցիներն ասացին. «Մի՞թէ դուք էլ էք մոլորուել: 48 Մի՞թէ իշխանաւորներից կամ փարիսեցիներից որեւէ մէկը հաւատաց նրան, 49 բացի այն խաժամուժ ամբոխից, որ օրէնք չգիտէ եւ նզովեալ է»: 50 Նիկոդեմոսը, որ նախապէս գիշերով եկել էր նրա մօտ եւ նրանցից մէկն էր, նրանց ասաց. 51 «Մի՞թէ մեր օրէնքը դատապարտում է մարդուն, եթէ նախ նրանից լսած եւ կամ իմացած չլինի, թէ ինչ է գործել նա»: 52 Նրան պատասխանեցին ու ասացին. «Մի՞թէ դու էլ Գալիլիայից ես. քննի՛ր ու տե՛ս, որ Գալիլիայից մարգարէ դուրս չի գալիս»:
Հովհաննես 7:37-52
37 On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38 and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit because Jesus was not yet glorified.40 When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, “This is really the prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Messiah.”But some asked, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? 42 Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” 43 So there was a division in the crowd because of him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.45 Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not arrest him?” 46 The police answered, “Never has anyone spoken like this!” 47 Then the Pharisees replied, “Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? 48 Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.” 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, 51 “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?” 52 They replied, “Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.”
John 7:37-52
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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.
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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. Click here to see the items available for sale in the Gift Store .
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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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See what's happening on our social site |
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