APRIL 12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         15 /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
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019
Morning Service
10:00 AM

Holy Badarak
10:30 AM

Celebrant
Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian

Ushers
Mrs. Anna Seferian and Mrs.
Elsy Melkonian
 
Parish Council Members on Duty
Mr. Jack Guirahossian, Mr. Zakar, Mr. Artur Sivaslian

Choir
Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist
Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Reading
Zechariah 9:9-15, Philippians 4:4-7, Matthew 20:29-21:17
HOKEHANKIST 
REQUIEM SERVICE

HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE 

-------------------------------------------------
To request a Hokehankist/Requiem Service
Please contact the Church Office
by 12:00 Noon on Thursday
202-363-1923 or 
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 [email protected] 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  [email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS
Armenian Dance Classes

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

CALENDAR OF FEASTS & EVENTS
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
The Remembrance of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide

April 28
 Shnorhali School Dancing group performance 
after badarak in the church hall

May 17-19
Spring Food Festival

May 25
Ararat Avak Society Brunch

May 30
Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ

June 2   
Shnorhali School Hantess
FAR NEWS CORNER


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
TOP STORIES

Palm Sunday: The Doorway to Holy Week

On March 14, Armenian Churches worldwide will observe Palm Sunday, the feast of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. On this day the altar curtain, which remains closed in the Armenian Church during Great Lent, will be re-opened with the special Turen-Patzek ("door-opening") service. Click here to view a "Bread & Salt" video episode about this service, titled "Doors of Mercy."

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week-the sacred commemoration of the dramatic events leading to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, his victory over death, and the redemption of humanity and the fallen world. The Armenian Church re-enacts these episodes in the days leading up to Easter.

ACYOA Day: On Palm Sunday parishes throughout the Eastern Diocese will celebrate ACYOA Day. Parishes have traditionally used this occasion to focus attention on the ACYOA and to celebrate the organization's contributions to the Armenian Church. 

Click here for the complete schedule of Holy Week services.
PARISH NEWS


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. 

Lenten Service, Discussion and Dinner Series 2019

The last presentation of a six night series took place on Wednesday, April 10. 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. Mark Krikorian gave a meditation about how Christ's Resurrection is a call to each of us to believe and strengthen our faith. Concentrating on the verses found in Matthew 27:55-28:20, he led the audience to meditate on Christ Resurrection and it's mystery.  When Matthew wrote his account of the resurrection of Jesus, he emphasized two groups who watched. His account of Easter morning is framed by two different kinds of watchers: Some watchers refuse to believe the Resurrection even in the face of overwhelming evidence. Some watchers see in the Resurrection the reason to trust Jesus Christ for life. What group do you belong to? 

Toward the end of the service and presentation the parishioners enjoyed each others fellowship and dinner hosted and sponsored by St. Mary Avak Society .

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.
DIOCESAN AND OTHER NEWS


Meeting in Moscow

On April 2, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholic of All Armenians, was in Russia to meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill. The two met at Moscow's St. Daniel Monastery.

In formal remarks, Catholicos Karekin II applauded the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church for vigorously defending traditional Christian morality against destructive and dehumanizing ideologies, and expressed his happiness at the "strengthening of cooperation between the Eastern Orthodox and [Oriental] Orthodox churches, and the uniting of forces in various social, humanitarian, and public issues."

He mentioned that such unity of purpose was vital in the "complicated context of the Middle East," and thanked Patriarch Kirill for his role "in organizing a trilateral meeting of spiritual leaders for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."

To conclude the meeting, the two church leaders acknowledged the continuing cooperation between the Armenian and Russian people and their respective churches.

Click here to read more.
Bishop Sahak Mashalian's Sermon


St. Vartan Cathedral Welcomes Bishop Mashalian

New York's St. Vartan Cathedral welcomed a distinguished visitor on Sunday, April 7, in the person of Bishop Sahak Mashalian of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, who celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Annunciation.

Diocesan Primate the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan presided over the service, in which a number of Diocesan clergy and numerous deacons took part. The Gomidas Choir directed by Kris Kalfayan sang the scared music.

Bishop Mashalian delivered a sermon on the occasion in Armenian and English, touching on the role of the Angel Gabriel in the Annunciation story, and the presence of angels in human affairs. In the course of his homily, he asked people to pray for the Istanbul Patriarchate as it embarks on an election to choose a successor to the late Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan.

A reception and luncheon followed in the Diocesan Center's Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, sponsored by C.A.R.S., the Essayan Getronagan Alumni, Tibrevank Alumni, Armenian-American Support and Educational Center, and the Knights and Daughters of Vartan.

Bishop Mashalian currently serves the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople as its director of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations and as secretary of its Religious Council; he has also served in Jerusalem and Armenia (as dean of the Gevorkian Seminary). He was visiting the Eastern Diocese this month to lead a series of clergy retreats for priests in the New England, Midwest, New York-New Jersey and Mid-Atlantic regions.


Scientific Research Advances Thanks to FAR Grant
 
Molecular biologist Dr. Mkhitar Mkrtchyan is on a mission. The recipient of a 2018 Armenian National Science and Education Fund (ANSEF) grant wants to supplement the use of antibiotics by developing an alternative form of therapy to treat gastro-intestinal diseases.

Mkhitar's research project focuses on "bacteriophages." Unlike antibiotics, which affect not only disease-carrying bacteria but all bacteria located in a given area of the body, bacteriophages kill only the bacteria specific to a disease or infection. They leave the human body once they destroy all of their "enemy" bacteria.
 
This is the first time that such bacteriophages have been developed in Armenia. Dr. Mkrtchyan, with partners Dr. Karine Arakelyan and Mariam Poghosyan, were awarded an ANSEF grant of $5,000 in 2018, and just received another grant for 2019.

Choices: Without Sincerity?

New Choices Video

"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing," wrote St. Paul, in one of the most revealing passages in the entire Bible.

Yet still today, many people find it difficult to place sincere love at the center of their motivations. How can we live up to the Apostle's urgent advice for Christian living? Fr. Tateos Abdalian offers his thoughts on the matter in the latest episode of the video series Choices. Click on the link to watch " Without Sincerity?"
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
29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

21 1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? 17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
Matthew 20.29-21.17

29 Եւ երբ նրանք Երիքովից դուրս էին գալիս, Յիսուսի յետեւից բազում ժողովուրդ գնաց: 30 Եւ ահա երկու կոյրեր նստած էին ճանապարհի եզերքին: Երբ լսեցին, թէ Յիսուս անցնում է, աղաղակեցին ու ասացին. «Ողորմի՛ր մեզ, Յիսո՛ւս, Դաւթի՛ Որդի»: 31 Եւ ամբոխը յանդիմանեց նրանց, որ լռեն: Իսկ նրանք առաւել եւս աղաղակում էին ու ասում. «Ողորմի՛ր մեզ, Տէ՛ր, Դաւթի՛ Որդի»: 32 Յիսուս տեղում կանգ առաւ, կանչեց նրանց եւ ասաց. «Ի՞նչ էք կամենում, որ ձեզ անեմ»: 33 Նրան ասացին. «Որ մեր աչքերը բացուեն, Տէ՛ր»: 34 Եւ գթալով Յիսուս դիպաւ նրանց աչքերին, եւ նրանք իսկոյն տեսան ու գնացին նրա յետեւից: 

21 1 Երբ Երուսաղէմին մօտեցան եւ եկան Բեթփագէ՝ Ձիթենեաց լեռան մօտ, այն ժամանակ Յիսուս իր աշակերտներից երկուսին ուղարկեց ու նրանց ասաց. 2 «Գնացէ՛ք այդ գիւղը, որ ձեր դիմաց է, եւ այնտեղ կգտնէք կապուած մի էշ եւ նրա հետ՝ մի քուռակ. արձակեցէք, բերէք ինձ: 3 Եւ եթէ մէկը ձեզ բան ասի, կասէք, որ Տիրոջը պէտք են. եւ նա իսկոյն դրանք կուղարկի: 4 Բայց այս բոլորը եղաւ, որպէսզի կատարուի մարգարէի խօսքը, որ ասում է. 5 "Ասացէ՛ք Սիոնի դստերը. ահա դէպի քեզ է գալիս քո Թագաւորը՝ հեզ եւ նստած էշի ու էշի քուռակի վրայ"»: 6 Աշակերտները գնացին եւ արեցին, ինչպէս Յիսուս իրենց հրամայել էր. 7 եւ էշն ու քուռակը բերեցին, նրանց վրայ զգեստներ գցեցին. եւ նա նստեց դրանց վրայ: 8 Եւ բազում ժողովուրդ իրենց զգեստները փռեցին ճանապարհի վրայ, իսկ ուրիշներ ծառերից ճիւղեր էին կտրում ու սփռում ճանապարհի վրայ: 9 Առաջից եւ յետեւից գնացող ժողովրդի բազմութիւնը աղաղակում էր ու ասում. «Օրհնութի՜ւն Դաւթի Որդուն, օրհնեա՜լ է նա, որ գալիս է Տիրոջ անունով, օրհնութի՜ւն բարձունքներում»: 10 Եւ երբ նա մտաւ Երուսաղէմ, ամբողջ քաղաքը դղրդաց, եւ ասում էին. «Ո՞վ է սա»: 11 Իսկ ժողովրդի բազմութիւնն ասում էր. «Սա Յիսուս Մարգարէն է, որ Գալիլիայի Նազարէթ քաղաքից է»: 12 Եւ Յիսուս մտաւ տաճար ու դուրս հանեց բոլոր նրանց, որ տաճարի մէջ վաճառում ու գնումներ էին անում. նա շուռ տուեց լումայափոխների սեղաններն ու աղաւնեվաճառների աթոռները: 13 Եւ նրանց ասաց. «Գրուած է՝ իմ տունը աղօթքի տուն պիտի կոչուի. իսկ դուք աւազակների որջ էք արել այդ»: 14 Տաճարի մէջ կոյրեր եւ կաղեր Յիսուսին մօտեցան, եւ նա բժշկեց նրանց: 15 Երբ քահանայապետներն ու օրէնսգէտները տեսան այն սքանչելիքները, որ նա արեց, եւ մանուկներին, որ տաճարի մէջ աղաղակում էին ու ասում՝ «Օրհնութի՜ւն Դաւթի Որդուն», բարկացան. 16 եւ ասացին նրան. «Լսո՞ւմ ես՝ դրանք ինչ են ասում»: Յիսուս նրանց ասաց. «Այո՛, դուք չէ՞ք կարդացել, թէ՝ երեխաների ու ծծկերների բերանով օրհնութիւն կատարեցիր»: 17 Եւ նրանց թողնելով՝ ելաւ քաղաքից դուրս՝ դէպի Բեթանիա. եւ այնտեղ գիշերեց: 

Մատթեոսի 20.29-21.17
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.