ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH
SHNORHALI MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2019
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Mrs. Anna Hakobyan Visits Washington, DC
Mrs. Anna Hakobyan, wife of the Prime Minister of Armenia and President of the Board of Trustees of "My Step" and "City of Smiles" charitable foundations, was in the United States. On the first working day of her visit to Washington, DC, Mrs. Hakobyan, was 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 Congress and viewed the collection of Armenian manuscripts, 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. Also in attendance were 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.
Source: Embassy of Armenia to the U.S.
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Lenten Service, Discussion and Dinner Series 2019
The last two Lenten presentations of a six series took place on Wednesdays, April 3 and 10.
Mr. Ara Stepanian and Dn. Mark Krikorian gave a meditation concentrating on the last chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. During the entire Lenten period the p
arishioners 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 concentrated 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.
Toward the end of the service and presentation parishioners enjoyed each others fellowship and dinner hosted and sponsored by St. Mary Church ACYOA and Avak Society.
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Women's Guild Easter Choreg Sale
Our beloved Women's Guild never cease to amaze the church community with their annual and much anticipated Easter choreg sale. Somehow they make their beautiful and delicious holiday presentation look effortless, and we are forever grateful for their continued hard work and dedication to St. Mary Church and the congregatio
n.
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New Addition to Our Altar
The next time you are in the Church, please take a moment to notice and admire the new Curtain Rod Cover, which is a recent addition to our Altar and made possible by the craftsmanship and donation of Mr. Manuel Ayvazian. Our special thanks and gratitude to him for his hard work and generosity.
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Palm Sunday at St. Mary Church
Over Palm Sunday weekend the Dean and Students of St. Nersess Seminary visited our community. The entire weekend was filled with interesting activities. The Seminarians and members of St. Mary ACYOA Juniors enjoyed the hospitality of Souren and Ema Hakopian, who opened their doors for an evening of fun and fellowship for our guests. It was a great opportunity for our Juniors to meet the seminarians in person, mingle with them, ask them questions, and learn about their day at the seminary and about their future plans.
On Saturday, the seminarians had a private tour of the Museum of the Bible and also had an opportunity to do additional site-seeing in Washington, DC. On Palm Sunday the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Nersess Seminary celebrated Badarak and the Seminarians served on the altar alongside the St. Mary Acolytes and Deacons.
A beautiful luncheon was organized and hosted by the St. Mary ACYOA Juniors and their parents. This year our special honoree during the Palm Sunday luncheon was Mrs. Patricia Yeghissian, youth adviser, Sunday School teacher and dedicated parishioner. The ACYOA Juniors honored her with a musical performance, special prepared remarks, and a plague to commemorate her service to the youth of St. Mary. Our special appreciation went out to the ACYOA Juniors parents and teens for their hard work.
To see photos from Saturday preparation
Click here
To see photos from Sunday Badarak and Luncheon
Click Here
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April 24 Commemoration
On April 24th a Wreath Laying Ceremony took place organized by the Embassy of Armenia, at the Armenian Embassy "Khatchkar." Following the ceremony a special intercessory prayer of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide took place. A beautiful performance by the Children of St. Mary Armenian Church Shnorhali School and Soorp Khatch Church Hamasdegh School followed the prayer service.
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Holy Week and Easter Sunday
This year Holy Week was fully celebrated at St. Mary through many moving and special services, which commemorated the dramatic events leading to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
On April 18, Great and Holy Thursday, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the evening, then the "Washing of the Feet" ceremony was held, which re-enacts Christ's humble service to his 12 disciples during the Last Supper. Der Hovsep celebrated "Gark Vodnlvai" with the children at the altar St. Mary Church. It was followed by a brief reception hosted by Jermen Hallajian in memory of her Parents, and the moving service of the Betrayal and Passion of our Lord (Khavaroom).
The Order of the Crucifixion of Christ and the Order of the Entombment of the Lord were held on Great and Holy Friday, April 19. Thank you to Asanet Hatchikoghlu for decorating Christ's tomb.
On Easter Eve, Saturday, April 20, the Badarak was preceded by Vespers and the Scriptural readings. Der Hovsep celebrated the Divine Liturgy with the beautiful lilies donated by our many generous parishioners who decorated the sanctuary, followed by the traditional Home Blessing in the Church Hall, and a hospitality table hosted by the Parish Council.
Easter Sunday, the Feast of Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ was on April 21. It began with a Morning Service and Badarak celebrated by Fr. Hovsep, and attended by hundreds of people. The blessing of the four corners of the world, Antasdan service took place at the conclusion of the Badarak. It was followed by lunch and egg-cracking games in the Church Hall with a beautiful reception table hosted by the St. Mary Shnorhali School.
We thanked everyone who contributed to the Easter Lilies and Yughakin Donations.
To see photos of Holy Thursday and Vodnlva services
click here
.
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Lecture and Book Signing by Dr. Taner Akcam
An enlightening lecture and presentation took place at St. Mary Church on April 26 by Dr. Taner Akcam on his recently published book "Killing Orders, Talat Pasha's Telegrams and the Armenian Genocide."
Dr. Akcam, who holds the Kaloosdian and Mugar chair of Armenian Genocide Studies at Clark University, is a historian, a sociologist, and is one of the first Turkish intellectuals to acknowledge and openly discuss the Armenian Genocide. In his presentation, Dr. Akcam spoke about his newly published book which include variety archival evidence previously dismissed as being 'fake' in order to refute the on-going denial of the Armenian Genocide. With his meticulous research he argues that the sanctioning of the genocide can finally be proven through official documents.
Over 200
parishioners
and friends enjoyed this informative presentation sponsored by Jerair Nishanian Foundation.
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Holy Martyrs Day Commemoration
A solemn commemoration of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide took place at St. Mary on April 28. The day began with the Holy Badarak, then a special service commemorating the Holy Martyrs who gave their lives during the Armenian Genocide for their faith and for their homeland followed in front of the Khatchkar on the church plaza.
Following the service, the Shnorhali School dance group presented a musical program which included the recitation of poems, singing songs and performance of traditional Armenian dances, thus commemorating the legacy that our Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide left to us. Special appreciation to the dance instructor Nunik Nishanian for her hard work and dedication to our children and school.
The day's Madagh was hosted by St. Mary Church Parish Council. A special prayer was also offered for the soul of His Beatitude Archbishop Mesrob II Mutafyan, 84th Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, on the occasion of 40 day of his passing.
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Hokehankists - Requiem Services
April 7, 2019
For the Soul of: Mary Sarkisian
Requested by:
Andonian Family, Eaton Family, and Jacobs Family
April 28, 2019
For the Soul of: Archbishop Mesrob II Mutafyan 84th Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople (40 Days)
Requested by:
Der Hovsep and the Parish Council
For the Soul of: Ashot Shmavonyan
Requested by:
Nina Kankanian
For the Soul of: Horen Panosyan (2nd Anniversary)
Requested by:
Arpine Panosyan (Wife), Ani & Ayda Panosyan (Daughters),
Aris & Alis (Daughter) Cubuk & Children, Garbis & Nadya (Daughter) Chubukian & Children
May God rest their souls in peace and may His loving favor be with their loved ones.
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Baptisms and Confirmations
April 13,
2019
Melina Alice Postell
Daughter of Daniel Howard Postell and Melissa Christine Bagherian
Godparents: Armen Alex and Armineh Lida Ghazarian
April 27
, 2019
Ana Marie Ramadan
Daughter of Ed Ramadan and Vana Ghazarian
Godparents: Ghazar and Zarouhi- Marie Ghazarian
May God bless our newly baptized with His love and may His protection and guidance always be with Them.
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Funerals
April 6, 2019
Edward Onanian
Beloved Husband of Zvart Onanian, Father of Laurie and Deborah (Eric), Brother of Harry Krekorian, Jr., Grandfather of John and Avedis Stickler
April 26, 2019
Seda Khoranian
Beloved Mother to Linet Blackwell and Yervand Khoranian
Loving Grandmother to Nicollete Blackwell, Eric Blackwell, Hayasa Khoranian, and Menua Khoranian
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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