ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH
SHNORHALI MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2018
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New Items at St. Mary Church
New and notable gifts were recently donated to our Church by generous donors. We are highlighting them so that our congregation can enjoy and appreciate their beauty together.
Website
Mark Bettis donated his time, talent, and resources to create the new St. Mary Armenian Church website at
www.stmaryaac.org
. If you haven't visited it yet, it is a must see. We can post news and events in real time in a more contemporary look and appeal. The church office now has the capability to customize all of the church events and news and make modifications as needed. We are ever so grateful to Mark for his dedication, expertise, and generosity.
Baptismal Dove
Bagrat Bayburtian donated to St. Mary a beautiful silver winged Baptismal Miuron Dove. The Baptismal Dove is a receptacle that holds the Holy Oil (Miuron) used during the baptism and confirmation and signifies the Holy Spirit.
Organ
Viguen and Teresa Ter-Minassian and Jerair and Anahid Nishanian were generous donors, along with many of our parishioners
(click here to see list)
to help St. Mary purchase our new organ. Thanks to all of our donors, during weekly worship, our Church is filled with beautiful organ liturgical music as it accompanies the majestic voices of our beloved St. Mary Choir. For many years to come, the organ will bring the marvelous tradition of Armenian spiritual services to the Church community.
Candle Holders for Acolytes
Der Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan's kind and generous donation of candle holders for St. Mary's acolytes are breathtaking as you can see for yourself by the photo. These colorful and elaborate candle holders add sparkle and magnificence during our Badarak service.
Thank you so very much to all of our donors for their loving support to St. Mary.
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St. Mary 70th Armenian Fall Food Festival
St. Mary's Annual Armenian Fall Food Festival took place from October 4 to 7. As always, our dedicated volunteers worked very hard to make the festival a great success. The preparation began in September, with our Women's Guild creating a workshop schedule and shopping list, determining event chair ladies and many other details in order to assure an organized and well-managed festival. Our Parish Council was greatly involved with planning, preparing, and of course, grilling! It is gratifying to note that the time and energy all of our volunteers invested in working and organizing this year's Food Festival paid off. We happily witnessed with pride and joy as our community enjoyed the Armenian foods and culture.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all our volunteers, sponsors and supporters who contributed and worked tirelessly to make St. Mary's 70th Annual Armenian Fall Food Festival a success!
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ACYOA Juniors Sports Weekend
Over Columbus Day weekend, more than 200 teenagers gathered at the St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, for the ACYOA Juniors annual Fall Sports Weekend. The parish hosted 217 participants from 19 parishes across the Eastern Diocese, for a weekend of worship, sports, and fellowship.
St. Mary ACYOA was represented by 17 teens and 4 chaperones. The St. Mary teams participated in co-ed Volleyball, and Boys Basketball, lead by Coach Mike Sahakian. The great accomplishment of our team was winning 2nd place in Boy's Basketball. The weekend culminated with a dance on Saturday night and a closing Banquet and Awards Ceremony on Sunday evening.
Special appreciation goes to chaperones Mrs. Talar Festekjian, Mrs. Hasmik Keurian and Coach Michael Sahakian and Yn. Jennifer Karapetyan who brought their time and effort to make this an exceptional weekend for our youth. Many thanks to St. Mary Parish Council for their support and sponsorship of transportation.
If you would like more information about St. Mary ACYOA Activities, including sports, please email stmaryyouthdc@gmail.com
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Passing of Maestro Arsen Sayan
The community was deeply sorrowed by the passing of Maestro Arsen Sayan on October 5, 2018. Maestro Sayan is survived by His loving Wife Catherine Sayan; Sister-in-Law Negda and Children Arsen, Raphael and Paula and their families (Venezuela); Sisters-in-Law Sirvart, Araxi (Henri) and their Daughters Solange, Valerie and Capucine (France); Sister-in-Law Koharig (deceased) (Gilbert) and their Children Didier, Karine (Patrick) (Germany). Extended family Khantzian (USA), Khatchadourian, Manoukian, Terzian, Sahakian (France), Najarian, Boyadjian, Jamgotchian families in Armenia.
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Jerusalem - The Holy City for Three Religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam
A panel discussion of three speakers representing the three religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam took place on October 17 at the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church. The participants discussed the significance of the Holy City of Jerusalem to their various faiths. The panel members included: Rabbi Gerald Serotta, the Executive Director of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC), Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan of St. Mary Armenian Church in Washington, DC, and Imam Yahya Hendi of Georgetown University.
Der Hovsep spoke about the significance of Jerusalem to the Armenians, explaining the historical roots of the Armenian presence in the Holy City and it's cultural and spiritual significance. He also spoke about the challenges that the people of the Holy Land face and the vision of Jerusalem being the capital of the three monotheistic religions.
The lecture was organized by Rev. Fuad Khouri of Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church.
On the photo above:
Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Rabbi Garald Serotta, Rev. Fuad Khouri and Imam Yahya Hendi.
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Women's Guild Cultural Event
As part of the celebration of cultural month in October, St. Mary Women's Guild organized a beautiful afternoon of cherishing the Armenian culture and heritage. Parishioners and friends gathered in the St. Mary church hall on October 21 to enjoy various delicious dishes prepared by the Women's Guild members. The food included cultural and culinary backgrounds of different regions of historical Armenia and different countries where Armenians have settled.
The day also included a slide presentation by guest speaker and photographer Serli Hacikoglu who spoke about her love and passion of Armenia and the Armenian culture sharing with the audience the many photos that she took during her stay in Armenia.
Our appreciation to St. Mary Women's Guild Executive Committee members for their hard work and generous efforts of putting together such an enjoyable afternoon for our church community.
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ACYOA Juniors Trophy Presentation
On Sunday, October 21, at the conclusion of Badarak, Der Hovsep officially presented a trophy to the group of the Sport's Weekend participants, who represented our ACYOA Jrs. team winning second place in basketball. Over the Columbus Day weekend, more then 200 teenagers gathered at the St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY to participate in this annual event. Our church was represented by 17 teens and 4 chaperones.
Over the next few months the ACYOA Jrs. will be holding a number of interesting events. On Sunday, November 4, the St. Mary ACYOA Jrs. (ages 12-17) will put their faith into action and prepare lunches for over 200 homeless in our community. On Saturday, December 8, they will be celebrating the holiday season with their annual Christmas Party.
If you would like more information about St. Mary ACYOA activities, please contact Ms. Becky Baghdasarian or Yn. Jennifer Karapetyan at stmaryyouthdc@gmail.com.
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Farewell to the Ambassador Hovhannissian and his Family
On Sunday, October 28, the Parish Council of St. Mary Church and the Knights and Daughters of Vartan organized a joint farewell reception in honor of outgoing the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Armenia, Hon. Gregory Hovhannisian.
Welcoming remarks were made by the Parish Council Chairman Miss Sarin Zenian, who welcomed the Ambassador and his family, as well as the diplomatic corps and the community members.
The commander of the Knights of Vartan, Mr. Kevork Marashlian in his remarks thanked the Ambassador for his service to the Armenian nation and wished him success in the future service to our people and country.
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetian, Pastor of St. Mary Church spoke about the dedication, love and professionalism of Mr. Hovhannissian, and the great impact that he had during his tenure as the Ambassador of Armenian in the US.
The evening was concluded by delicious horderves and loving fellowship as the members of the community expressed their appreciation and best wishes to the Ambassador and his family who for the last three years have become familiar faces to many on Sundays and during other community events and functions.
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Hokehankists - Requiem Services
October 7, 2018
For the Soul of: Charles Aznavour
Requested by:
Der Hovsep and The Parish Council
For the Souls of: Abraham Hovsepian, Nazar Nerssessian and Vartouhi Nerssessian
Requested by:
Hovsep Hovsepian, Niever Hovsepian, Abraham Hovsepian and Christine Hovsepian
October 14, 2018
For the Soul of: His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian (6th anniversary)
Requested by:
Der Hovsep and The Parish Council
October 21, 2018
For the Soul of: Simon Gagikyan
Requested by:
Marina Gagikyan and Robert Hazaryan Alexander Nazaryan (Grandson)
For the Soul of: Haig Ellian
Requested by:
Sue Ellian, Levon and Jan Ellian, Aghavni Ellian and the Mulvihill Family
October 28, 2018
For the Soul of: Berge A. Kayaian
Requested by:
Elizabeth (Daughter) and Susan (Granddaughter) Garabedian and Brig. General Albert Kaehn (Brother-in-Law) and Melina Kaehn (Sister)
May God rest Their souls in peace and may His loving favor be with their loved ones
.
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Wedding
October 27, 2018
Aras Mermer and Jenna Oien
Parents: Misak and Maryam Mermer and
Robert and Theresa Oien
Best Man: Nareg Bakirci
Maid of Honor: Lisa Oien
Congratulations and may God make the newly married couple worthy of the desirable crown of Holy Matrimony.
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Funerals
October 5, 2018
Jozef Tilmian
Beloved Husband of Arek Gharibian; Loving Father of Carmen Tilimian and Garnik Boghosian (Son-in-Law); Zorik Tilimian and Helen Markarian (Daughter-in-Law); Catherine Tilimian and Hendrik Keshishi (Son-in-Law); Serjik Tilimian and Inna Grigoryan (Daughter-in-Law). Devoted Grandfather of Armo Boghosian, Aren Boghosian; Seleia Tilimian; Menoa Keshishi, Arno Keshishi, Orbell Keshishi; Edwin Tilimian and Juliet Tilimian.
October 16, 2018
Sara Arzoomanian
Loving Aunt of Jack Arzoomanian, Jr. and Wife Lisa. She is also survived by other loving family and friends
May the Lord rest Their souls in peace and grant comfort to the family members and friends.
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St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden Street N.W, Washington, DC 20016
202-363-1923 / www.stmaryaac.org
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