ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH 
SHNORHALI MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2020
Prayer for Lebanon

On August 7th at the conclusion of the Vespers and August 9, immediately after Badarak, at St. Mary a special prayer was offered for for the peace and stability of Lebanon, and for the repose of victims of the August 4 in Beirut.

During the service, Der Hovsep prayed, "O Heavenly Father, in your infinite grace and mercy hear this fervent plea for our brothers and sisters in the Land of the Cedars, who have been brought to their knees with this recent devastation". He pleaded the Lord to calm the grief of Lebanon, to heal her sorrow, to ease the pain of wounded and comfort those who have lost their loved ones. 

Our Diocese is taking up an emergency relief collection for victims of the Beirut explosion. Please consider making an online donation on the Diocese secure server by clicking here.
Ararat Avak Society Festive Carry-out Luncheon

On Sunday, August 16th, 2020, Ararat AVAK Society hosted a festive carry-out food affair in celebration of the Feast of Assumption.
It was heartwarming to see the generous response from our parishioners and friends of our church alike. Although we are still unable to host our dear members and friends in our cultural hall, this did not deter many from placing the orders and coming to church for pick-up.  
Ararat AVAK Society committee worked tirelessly once again and prepared their usual delicious meals to go. On behalf of Der Hovsep Karapetyan and St. Mary Parish Council we extend our most profound appreciation to Ms. Takuhi Hallajian, Ms. Mari Shafakian, Ms. Eva Shafakian, Ms. Margie Satian. Our utmost gratitude also goes to our volunteers who answered the call to help out; Ms. Clara Andonian, Ms. Louisa Baghdassarian, Ms. Judy Markarian, Ms. Maggie Avedissian, Ms. Hripsime Sivaslian and Mr. Raffi Sahakyan. We would like to acknowledge our rising young volunteers, Levon Yacoubian and Aram Sahakyan. Once again, we are grateful to the continuous efforts of Ms. Julie Avedikian, Mr. Daryush Valizadeh, Mr. Vardan Gasparyan and Mr. Mark Bettis. Together we were able to achieve our goal of providing heartwarming meals to all.
Until the next event, we wish you all the best and thank you once again for your unwavering support to meet the needs of our community.
Feast Of The Assumption Of The Holy Mother-Of-God And Name Day Of Our Church

The feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God was observed at St. Mary on August 16. Der Hovsep Karapetyan celebrated the Badarak which was followed by the special serve of the Blessing of Grapes .
 
Latter that afternoon a special carry out luncheon was sponsored and prepared by St. Mary's Ararat Avak Society.

Especial thanks to St. Mary Parish Council and chairman Dr. Ara Avedisian for purchasing and preparing the grapes for blessings.

We also thank all of the members and friends who contributed towards the Great Blessing, supported, and enjoyed this holy day. Click here to see the list of donors.
St. Mary Bible Studies

For so many of our parishioners and friends it was a tremendous pleasure and an abundant blessing to come together virtually for fellowship and studying the precious and Life-giving Word of our Lord. The journey taken together to study the Book of James and some thematic topics such as Prayer, Faith, Humility, and Patience strengthened everyone's faith and gave great hope, especially during these unprecedented times. Those who participated learned a lot from the Scriptures, as well as from each other with the intention to apply all they learned to their own lives and live by them. As our Lord himself says “The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life”.
St. Mary Bible Studies will resume in November, and we look forward to meeting again in joy and love to continue learning from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hokehankists - Requiem Services

August 9, 2020
For the souls of: The Victims of the Deadly Explosion in Beirut, Lebanon
Requested by: Der Hovsep and St. Mary Parish Council

For the souls of: Der Vertanes Kalayjian, Archpriest (4th Anniversary),
Diramayr Zabel Kalayjian and Zvart Samuelian ( yeretzgin's sister)
Requested by: Yeretzgin Anahid Kalayjian, Der Avedis Kalayjian, Yn. Karen, Aram and Arev, Berj Kalyjian, Zaven and Edita Kalayjian, Jirair, Hrag, Barkev, Zorair
Der Hovsep and St. Mary Parish Council

For the soul: Raphael Assadour Missirian (40 day)
Requested by: Anahid Missirian and Family

For the souls of: Antranig Avedisian, Kohar Avedisian and Araksi Prodromidis
Requested by: Drs. Ara and Maggy Avedisian and family

August 23, 2020
For the soul of: Vartkess M. Balian (12th anniversary)
Requested by: Rita Balian, Haikouhi Koudoussian, Marie Balian, Nairi and Sevag Balian and children - Aram, Nareg, Sareen, and Arya, Raffi Balian, Rita Koudoussian, and Lena and Edvik Alexandrian and son Andre. 

For the souls of: Armenak Boyajian, Keghanoush Boyajian, and Sograd Boyajian
Requested by: Molly Boyajian

For the soul of: Mikhail Ayrumyan
Requested by: Mikhael Airumian (son) and family

For the souls of: Makruhi Semerjyan and Griqor Baghdasaryan
Requested by: Baghdasarian, Bayburtian and Harutunian families

For the soul of: Hagop Shafakian (6th anniversary)
Requested by: Eva Shafakian and Family

For the soul of: Hasmik Gevorgyan ( 40 days)
Requested by: Samvel and Anna Gevorgyan and Family

For the soul of: Alidz Zenian
Requested by: David, Lida and Sarine Zenian, Armen and Dr. Nathalie McOmber

August 30, 2020
For the souls of: Yervant Bahadurian (Grandfather) 61 anniversary,
George Bahadurian (Uncle) 53 anniversary and Sirvart Yeghissian (Mother) 16 anniversary
Requested by: Patricia Yeghissian, Arvid, Talene and Ara.  

For the souls of: Albert Kevork Chakarian and Dorothy Kashmanian Chakarian
Requested by: Dale Chakarian Turza and Peter Turza and Family

For the souls of: Stephen Berberian and Jean Berberian
Requested by: Brenda Berberian and Debora Berberian

May God rest Their Souls in peace and may His loving favor be with their loved ones. 
Wedding

August 23, 2020
Ara Arabian and Jessica Demirji
Parents: Mr. Lawrence Manug Arabian & Ms. Janet Bolat
Mr. Sarkis Demirji & Ms. Siran Jirikdjian
Best Man: Jacob Demirji
Maid of Honor: Sara Arabian

August 29, 2020 
Timothy Kulp and Tamar Sivaslian
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Kulp, Jr. and Ellen Kulp
Mr. Ohannes Sivaslian and Ms. Hripsime Sivaslian
Best Man: John Beckham
Maid of Honor: Arlet Beckham

Congratulations and may God make the newly married couple worthy of the desirable crown of Holy Matrimony.
St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church 
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden Street N.W, Washington, DC 20016 
202-363-1923 / www.stmaryaac.org