ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH 
SHNORHALI MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
November 2021
Report of November Events and Activities

We are grateful for the dedication and service offered by our parishioners time and time again. Our greatest resource is the collective efforts and the sharing of individual talents to glorify our Heavenly Father and meet the needs of His House of Worship.
 
On Veteran’s Day, Thursday, November 12th our “Veteran” parishioners were hard at work. We would like to extend our utmost appreciation particularly to Anna Seferian, Arda Kanderian-Hebert, Arlin Diratsuyan, Hripsime Sivaslian, Jermen Hallajian, Malvina Brown, Nadya Koseian, Roxanne Kumkumian Schweitzer, and Zivart Bolat. The ladies took upon themselves the challenging task of reorganizing the church’s kitchen in preparation for the much-anticipated renovation. The determined group moved accumulated articles from various areas of the church to the cultural hall where a Mega White Elephant event is taking place on Saturday, November 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We hope to see you all. Bring along family and friends. You will be amused by the treasures you will find. Light luncheon will be available for purchase, lahmajun, soup, salad, and dessert.  Proceeds will go towards the Kitchen Renovation fund. (Link for donations)
 
St. Mary Gift Shop had its share of reorganization. Takuhi Hallajian was busy sorting through the books and trinkets ready for Saturday’s big event.
 
Furthermore, on the same day, Karine Sahagian single-handedly planted 100 bulbs of tulips on the church grounds to beautify our landscape next spring right in front of the church sign, which had been possible to build by the generous donation of the Kumkumian family in memory of their parents our longtime devoted parishioners the late Dr. Charles and Arousiag Kumkumian.
 
The church office was also busy with a group of volunteers who came to assist with the bulk mailing of our upcoming 89th church anniversary event taking place on December 12, 2021, with a special requiem service remembering our past devoted parishioners and celebrating their lives. A special program will follow during the luncheon. Many thanks to Ani Armani our church office Executive Assistant for her diligence, patience, and great efforts. She had mobilized a group of volunteers for the day’s task. We are grateful to Clara Andonian, Hasmig Ghazarian, Kevork, and Varti Marashlian, and Paula Khederian who answered the call to service without any hesitation.
In addition, we would like to acknowledge the efforts of Eric Ashbahian who took the initiative to be available on Sundays during fellowship hour to answer questions regarding the many opportunities of service available for each and everyone who answers the calling to share their God-given talents with our community. Please stop by and say hello to Eric. He’d be very happy to brief you on the upcoming elections and vacancies. 
 
Last but not least we welcome you all to share your talents with St Mary Parish; every helping hand counts. There are ample ways you could make an impact and fill the need. For more information email Shoghig Sahakyan, sshoghig@gmail.com
 
All above and beyond could not be possible without the tireless efforts of the Parish Council devoted members, Ara Avedissian, Artur Sivaslian, Catherine Sahakian, Hratch Semerjian, Jack Guiragossian, Mark Krikorian Robert George, and Vazrik Nishanian.
 
It goes without saying Der Hovsep’s spiritual leadership has been the driving force behind the Parish Council and the various organizations of our church. 
 
We look forward to seeing you all and worshipping together. The church is just a building without its members’ presence. “ For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” Matthew 18:20
 
Prayerfully yours,
Shoghig Sahakyan
On behalf of Parish Council
A Special Prayer for His Holiness Karekin II

On Sunday, November 7 “Special Prayer for the Catholicos was offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy and Hokehankist to mark the 22nd anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Karekin II, as well as offered prayers for the health and prosperity of the Catholicos.
Special Memorial Service in Honor of Our Homeland's Fallen Soldiers

It was one year ago, on November 9, 2020, that the Artsakh war ended, after 44 days of brutal conflict, initiated by an unprovoked, surprise attack on our homeland.

Dozens of members from the Armenian community in the DMV area came together on Sunday, November 7th that marked a solemn milestone in the modern history of the Armenian people, to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives protecting the homeland during the 2020 Artsakh War.

Father Hovsep emphasized the notion of strength in unity during his memorial service and the importance of the persistence of the Armenian people to not just survive but to thrive in the midst of all the challenges that we face.
“It’s about light and hope. It’s about our future.”
Shnorhali School Communion

On Nov, 14, the Shnorhali school participated in Holy Badarak and Communion. Over the course of the fall semester, the students have been learning about Badarak during the 9:30 Badarak Education Services. The opportunity to worship and participate in the Liturgy was enthusiastically welcomed by students and parents alike. Special thanks goes to the parents who helped by worshipping with their child's class. The Shnorhali school would also like to extend special appreciation to Mark Krikorian, Hratch Semerjian, Edita Kalayjian, Becky Bagdasarian, and Fr. Hovsep, for spearheading the 9:30 Badarak Education services and devoting their time and effort to helping our children learn about their faith through the Holy Badarak.
Farewell to Our Longtime Parishioner Ara Avedissian

On Sunday, November 28th, parishioners and friends came together to bid farewell and wish our beloved parishioner and longtime Parish Council member Ara Avedissian and his family all the best in the new chapter of their lives. May Ara and his family have success, prosperity, and good health.
We are grateful for his many years of service to our community and we will miss seeing him in church.
Thanksgiving Smoked Brisket Fundraiser

It goes without saying that the famous Ghazarian Smoked Brisket at your Thanksgiving fiesta this year was a showcase.

We are deeply moved by the generosity continuously offered by Boris Ghazarian and his family. Berj, his son, took it upon himself to carry out Smoked Brisket Fund Raiser; proceeds went towards the Kitchen Renovation fund.
Baptism and Confirmation

November 21, 2021
Lily Armstrong
Daughter of Jonathan and Ani Armstrong
Godparents: Avo and Maria Aghguiguian

May God bless our newly-baptized with His love and may His protection and guidance always be with him.

Funeral
November 8, 2021
General Albert J. Kaehn, Jr. 
Loving husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle.
Survived by his wife Melina, son Albert John, III, daughter Susan, son-in-law David; brother-in-law Woodrow (Gloria), grandchildren Zachary, Sydney, and Riley, and many nieces and nephews.

November 10th, 2021
Alice D. Baker
Alice is survived by her five children and their families; David and Marilyn Terzian, and their children Brian and Chase; Kenneth and Denise Terzian, and their child Polly; Alison and David Papazian, and their children Alyssa and Sierra; Bonnie and Brian Hollands, and their child Eli; and Richard Baker and his children, Harrison and Claire. And two great-grandchildren, Grace and Henry.

November 17th, 2021
Hartoun Varoujanian 
Hartoun is predeceased by his beloved wife Alice Varoujanian and brother Jorjik Varoujanian. Devoted father of Alenoush Khatchadourian and her husband Krikor, and Varoujan Varoujanian and his wife Leeza. Cherished grandfather of Natalie and Shant Khatchadourian, and Emily and Sophia Varoujanian. Loving brother of Seta Meshkanbarian and her late husband Sarkis, and Jemma Sarkissian and her husband John.

November 21st, 2021
Mary Leon Banous
Mary is survived by her three children, Robert Shukri Istepanian, Rita Shukri Istepanian, and Harooutyun Shukri Istepanian and their families.

November 30, 2021
Berc Capkan
Survived by Mari Kokkalou (Apla)


May the Lord rest their souls in peace and grant His comforting Holy Spirit to the family members and friends.
Hokehankists - Requiem Services

November 7, 2021
For the souls of:
All the fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives protecting the borders of Artsakh and Armenia (1st Year Anniversary)
David Apresyan, Lyuba Mamunts, ArmenHarutyunyan, Edik Grigoryan, Mher Sargsyan,Grigory Gabrielyan, Grisha Mirzabekyan, Ashot Abrahamyan, Marat Gharayan, Nairi Baghdasaryan, Arman Harutyunyan, Narek Mesropyan, Hrant Khachatryan
Requested by:
Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Elvina Avetisyan
Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan and St. Mary Parish Council

For the soul of:
Maisa Popova (40th Day)
Requested by:
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Anna Seferian

November 14, 2021
For the souls of:
Mr.& Mrs. Onnig Halajian, Mr. & Mrs. Karnig Halajian, Mr. & Mrs. John Cherishian, Steve Cherishian, Araxe Cherishian, and Maryann Kinoian
Requested by:
Nancy Kolenick

For the souls of:
Asadur Tufeckgian( 40th day)
Senekerim TufeckgianNazli Tufeckgian, Sona Tufeckgian & Gulbahar Tufeckgian
Requested by:
Tufeckgian families

For the souls of:
Emma Baldjian, Garabed Diratsuyan and Jirair Baldjian
Requested by:
Arlin and Mary Diratsuyan

November 21, 2021
For the soul of :
General Albert J. Kaehn, Jr. 
Requested by:
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan and St. Mary Parish Council

For the souls of:
Anna Loloyan ( 40 Day) and her husband Ohannes Loloyan ( 29th Anniversary)
Requested by:
Loloyan and Carrington families

May God rest their souls in peace and may His loving favor be with their Loved Ones. 
St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church 
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden Street N.W, Washington, DC 20016 
202-363-1923 / www.stmaryaac.org