St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
Address: 4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016
Tel: 202-363-1923
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Manifestation, Circumcision, and Naming of our Lord Jesus Christ
Eight days after the Holy Nativity of our Lord, we celebrate His Circumcision, one of the Feasts of the Lord, on which - in accordance with Hebrew tradition - He received the name "Jesus": "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His name was called Jesus, which was so named of the Angel before He was conceived in the womb" (Luke 2:21).
The name "Jesus" comes from Joshua or Yehoshuah, the Hebrew word for "savior" or "deliverer." Devotion to the Holy Name can be traced back to Paul's Letter to the Philippians, which says God highly exalted Jesus "and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Philippians 2:9-11). The true descendants of the Patriarch Abraham were separated from the other nations by the sign of circumcision (a prefigurement of Baptism: "the circumcision made without hands" [Colossians 2:1]) and thereby became members of the God-ruled community of the Old Testament; that is, through circumcision, they entered among the chosen People of God. Christ was now "made under the law," being conformed to the prescriptions of the Mosaic Law (Galatians 4:4) and "fulfilling" the Law (Matthew 3:15), in order to elevate the Church of the Law into a Church of Grace, into a new "Israel of God" (cf Galatians 6:16), into a Theanthropic organism-into His Body.
The Circumcision of our Lord inspired the Holy Church to institute a beautiful and deeply symbolic custom for the newborn children of Christians to be baptized eight days after birth.
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HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE
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For the souls of:
Hagop Yazejian, Bayzar Vorperian & Varoojan Yazejian
Requested by:
Krikor Yazejian
For the souls of:
Mary Banous, Shukri Istepanaian & Golizar Arteen
Requested by:
Rita Istepanian
Altar Flowers Donated by:
Neshan Naltchayan
To request a Hokehankist/Requiem Service
Please contact the Church Office
by 12:00 Noon on Thursday
202-363-1923 or
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Morning Service
10:00 AM
Holy Badarak
10:30 AM
Celebrant
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan
Ushers
Mrs. Rouzanna Oganissian
Parish Council Members on Duty
Mrs.Catherine Sahakian
Choir
Mrs. Edita Kalayjian
Organist
Mrs. Karine Muradyan
Bible Readings:
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We thank all of our parishioners and friends
for making their
Yughakin, Poinsettias and In Lieu of Christmas Card Donations
On the Occasion of the Feast of Nativity and Theophany of our Lord
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Prayer of the Week
Lord Jesus, please keep watch over your faithful people and the holy soil of Artsakh and Armenia, now and always. Grant them strength, and lead us together through the present time of trial.
With your peace, Christ our savior, which surpasses all understanding and speech, defend us and keep us fearless of all evil. Make us equal to your true worshipers, who worship you in spirit and in truth; for to the most-holy Trinity is befitting glory, dominion, and honor, now and always. Amen.
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Please tune in to St. Mary YouTube channel for the upcoming services and Badaraks |
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The Blessing of Pomegranates
A beautiful service of the Blessing of Pomegranates took place at St. Mary Church on Sunday, January 2nd after the Badark. Throughout the centuries, the pomegranate has been woven into Armenian architecture, cuisine, art, manuscripts, literature, and liturgical vestments as it represents life, fertility, and abundance. In 2015 the Supreme Patriarch of the Armenian Church, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of all Armenian, Introduced a new service for the Blessing of the Pomegranates, one of the seven biblical species of fruits and grains, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Pomegranates were blessed after the Badarak and distributed to the faithful with a wish to bring prosperity and abundance in the year 2022.
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Feast of Nativity and Theophany Celebrated at St. Mary
St. Mary Church Celebrated the Feast of Nativity and Theophany of our Lord with Nativity Eve and Day Badaraks. On January 5th the Jragalouits Badarak began with the Evening Service, and readings recalling and celebrating the glorious event of the Nativity of our Lord.
On the Feast of the Birth and Baptism of our Lord, January 6th, the Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of the Water Service were celebrated by Der Hovsep Karapetyan. We congratulate Edmond, the son of Sean McClure and Suzanna Simonyan, who served as the Godfather for the Blessing of the Water ceremony.
Parishioners participated in the liturgy on both days and greeted each other with the renewing and joyous news of our Lord's Revelation "To you and us good news! Tzez yev mez Medz Avedis! Christ is born and revealed. Kristos tsnav yev haytnetsav. Blessed is the revelation of Christ. Orhnyal e haytnutyunn Kristosi."
We would like to extend our appreciation to Mr. Neshan Naltchayan who so willingly dedicated his time and talent to decorating our Church and altar with gorgeous roses and red carnations, as well as took photos on this festive season.
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Dear Parishioner and Friends,
It is that time of the year again to remind our dear parishioners and friends of their dues and pledges to St. Mary Armenian Church.
As a reminder, the dues are $250 per person and $500 per family and are due by December 31, 2021.
We depend on our faithful donors and their monetary contributions. Your membership dues not only ensure your voting privileges during our annual assembly but also shows your commitment to your church. Your support enables us to continue our mission in preaching the Word of God, reaching out to our community, and bringing the rich and wonderful blessings of our heritage and identity to all for the glory of God.
We thank you for your generous past support and hope you will continue your commitment to your church.
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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. |
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LAST CALL
LIMITED QUANTITY REMAINED
St. Mary Armenian Church
Legacy Brick Drive
Buy A Brick ... Leave A Legacy
Buy a brick and leave your legacy at St. Mary Armenian Church.
When you buy a brick, it is then engraved with your specified words or message, installed in front of the church, and becomes a memory to view for years to come.
Laser engraved bricks will replace the existing bricks in our Church plaza,
in front of our beautiful Khatchkar, and can be dedicated to those
you wish to remember, honor Loved Ones, commemorate
a special milestone like a baptism or wedding, or
acknowledge an organization or business.
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Teacher Vacancy Announcement
Dear Parish Community,
St. Mary’s Shnorhali Armenian School is looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and devoted individual who has a love for the Armenian language and a passion for helping to educate our children.
We are looking for a vibrant Junior Kindergarten teacher to educate, care for, and inspire the young minds at our Junior Kindergarten group.
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INTEREST SURVEY: St Mary Juniors Online Bible Study for 2022
Are you interested in participating in a Bible Study, but are unable to attend the Sunday morning Youth Bible Study? We have been thinking about forming a teen Bible study group that will meet virtually one evening during the week or on Saturday. If you are interested, please email RebeccaBagdasarian@yahoo.com and include the evenings/times which are good for you to meet.
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Look for the 2022 Diocesan Calendar in Your Mail
The 2022 Diocesan Calendar will be arriving in homes throughout the community in the early weeks of January.
This year’s edition, titled Mother Cathedral: The Spiritual Art of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, pays tribute to the works of inspired creativity that abound within the oldest Armenian cathedral in the New World. Within its sanctuary and on its exterior surfaces, artists and architects of rare vision have used the elements of stone, metal, glass, paint, and canvas to give shape and substance to the Armenian spiritual heritage.
Exquisite images by photographer Albin Lohr-Jones capture the beauty of our Diocesan Cathedral in its grand perspective and its fine details.
If you are not on our mailing list and would like a free copy of the 2022 Diocesan Calendar, please e-mail your name and address to angelak@armeniandiocese.org (U.S. addresses only).
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“A Christmas Like Never Before”—Thanks to FAR’s Children’s Center
Thirteen-year-old Armen Grigoryan didn’t want to have foster parents. But that was before he met Marine and Karo Hakhinyan. “I made the right decision by moving in,” said Armen. The couple had already taken in his younger brother, Artak, one year before Armen joined them.
Armen and his four siblings had been abandoned by their mother when Armen was seven years old. Later, their father left for Russia. The children have not seen him since.
In 2019, the five children were taken to the Fund for Armenian Relief Children’s Center by their grandmother, who was unable to take care of them. The Center is a full-time facility that serves children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected, helping them to obtain the support and services they need. A pioneer in the foster care system in Armenia, the Children’s Center also trains and supports people who wish to foster children in need—people like Marine and Karo.
Today, with the support and love of his foster parents, Armen has slowly regained a sense of normalcy. The family lives in the Lori region, where Armen attends the 8th grade and is doing well at school.
Marine, 56, said that Armen has brought balance to their family. “I was supposed to host him for ten days, but three days in I told the Center that I wanted Armen in our family,” said Marine, who does not have children of her own. She is certain that both Armen and Artak will choose to stay with them at least until they turn 18.
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING FEASTS AND EVENTS |
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February 12
St. Sarkis Brunch hosted by Avak Society
February 13
Vartanants play Presented by KOV & DOV
February 14
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple
February 20
Annual Parish Assembly
February 28
First day of Great Lent
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PRAYERS FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR |
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Anne Andonian, Aram Andonian, Banous Mary Levon, Hripsime Apkarian, Lucy Badalian, Ellen Boudreau, Mari Dogum, Anahit Greene, Antaram Grigoryan, Susana Grigoryan, Simon Gukasyan, Karen Hatchik, Charles Hoke, Tamara Hramushina, Takvur Hubi, Jo-Anna Jacob, Edward Jamgochian, Yn. Anahid Kalayjian, Meline Kaehn, Michael Kolenick, Jack Kooyoomjian, Anahid Ghazarian Luka, Queen Manoogian, Susanna Mkrtchyan, Virginia (Corkigian) Mule, Paul Murad, Armen Mark Nostrant, Hacik Ozdul, Mary Levon Panossian, Robert Schlee, Tamara Shatvoryan, Bob Semonian, Alyce Tamzarian, Mihran Tavoukjian
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26 Վեցերորդ ամսին Գաբրիէլ հրեշտակը Աստծոյ կողմից ուղարկուեց Գալիլիայի մի քաղաքը, որի անունը Նազարէթ էր, 27 մի կոյսի մօտ, որ նշանուած էր Յովսէփ անունով մի մարդու հետ՝ Դաւթի տնից: Եւ այդ կոյսի անունը Մարիամ էր: 28 Եւ հրեշտակը, գալով նրա մօտ, ասաց. «Ուրախացի՛ր, ո՛վ շնորհընկալ, Տէրը քեզ հետ է»: 29 Իսկ նա այս խօսքերի վրայ խռովուեց եւ մտքում խորհում էր, թէ ինչ բան էր այս ողջոյնը: 30 Եւ հրեշտակը նրան ասաց. «Մի՛ վախեցիր, Մարիա՛մ, որովհետեւ Աստծուց դու շնորհ գտար: 31 Եւ ահա դու կյղիանաս եւ կծնես մի Որդի ու նրա անունը Յիսուս կդնես: 32 Նա մեծ կլինի եւ Բարձրեալի Որդի կկոչուի: Եւ Տէր Աստուած նրան կտայ նրա հօր՝ Դաւթի աթոռը, եւ նա յաւիտեան կթագաւորի Յակոբի տան վրայ, 33 ու նրա թագաւորութիւնը վախճան չի ունենայ»: 34 Իսկ Մարիամը հրեշտակին ասաց. «Ինչպէ՞ս այդ կպատահի ինձ, քանի որ ես տղամարդ չեմ ճանաչում»: 35 Հրեշտակը պատասխանեց եւ նրան ասաց. «Սուրբ Հոգին կգայ քեզ վրայ, եւ Բարձրեալի զօրութիւնը հովանի կլինի քեզ, որովհետեւ նա, որ քեզնից է ծնուելու, սուրբ է եւ Աստծոյ Որդի կկոչուի: 36 Եւ ահա քո ազգական Եղիսաբեթը՝ նա եւս յղի է իր ծերութեան մէջ, եւ սա յղիութեան վեցերորդ ամիսն է նրա, որ ամուլ էր կոչուած. 37 որովհետեւ Աստծոյ համար անկարելի բան չկայ»: 38 Եւ Մարիամն ասաց. «Ահաւասիկ ես մնում եմ Տիրոջ աղախինը. թող քո խօսքի համաձայն լինի ինձ»: Եւ հրեշտակը հեռացաւ նրանից: (Ղուկասի 1.26-38)
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1.26-38)
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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.
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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
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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 Sunday after Church services and by appointment, call the church office at 202-363-1923 or send an e-mail to stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
Click here to see the items available for sale in the Gift Store .
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Please check out newly arrived Armenian Souvenirs directly from Artsakh at our Gift Shop. |
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Before COVID 19 and before the 2020 aggression against free and democratic Armenian Artsakh, the number of tourists visiting our second Armenian homeland was nearing 50.000 tourists per year. Today, during the first six months of 2021, the number was less than 1.500. Artsakh’s economy has suffered significantly because of the war. At st Mary’s gift store, we sell souvenirs that arrived directly from Artsakh. By purchasing gifts from Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, we help the people of our homeland; we highlight that our solidarity.
Please visit our store or contact us if interested. We receive coffee-jazzve, souvenir-plates, souvenir magnets, and many more directly from Stepanakert.
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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.
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Signup / Stay Connected with St. Mary Church E-Newsletters and Correspondence.
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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. |
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St. Mary Armenian Church, Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016 | stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
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See what's happening on our social site |
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