November 3

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FEAST OF THE ARCHANGELS GABRIEL AND MICHAEL AND ALL THE HEAVENLY HOSTS

On November 11 the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Archangels Gabriel and Michael and All the Heavenly Hosts. According to the Angelology of the Armenian Church, the angels are fleshless, spiritual, independent, always moving, immortal creatures, and God's servants. According to the Church Fathers, the angels, as luminous creatures, have been created on the first day of creation, together with the light. By God's order, they are servants, they have been created to serve the human being. Therefore, they are servants who despite being celestial, participate in earthly life, act together with the human being living in time and space. The angels are called the messengers and agents of God, who realize God's will. According to Dionysius of Areopagus (Areopagite), there are nine orders of angels - Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Throne, Cherubim, and Seraphim.

Archangel Gabriel, whose name means "God's man", is God's direct servant, who is granted the grace to evangelize the Lord's mysteries. It was Archangel Gabriel, who was sent by the Lord to bring the good news to the Virgin about the birth of the Savior, and to Zechariah - to bring the good news about the birth of John the Baptist.

Archangel Michael, whose name means "Who is like God?", is the advocate for the Heavenly King's glory and His people's protector, who is granted the virtue to govern and rule. The name of Archangel Michael is mentioned in the Holy Scriptures four times (The Book of Daniel,10:13, 12:1, The Letter from Jude 1:9, The Revelation to John 11:7)

November 5, 2023

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

H. E. Abp. Vicken Aykazian

Usher

Patricia Yeghissian

Parish Council Members on Duty

John Asadoorian

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Isaiah 22.15-24

 Ephesians 1.1-14; 

Luke 8.17-21

For the Souls of :

Mary Simonian Perkins & Mr. John K. Perkins

Requested by:

Mary Luis & Gary Hunt and family

For the Soul of :

 Eva Asoryan

Requested by:

Talin & Kirkor Saraydaroglu (Daughter and Son in Law), Bettina and Raffi (Grandkids)

Hospitality Table is Hosted by:

The Armenian Assembly of America, in honor of Baroness Cox

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To request a Hokehankist/Requiem Service 

Please contact the Church Office

by 12:00 Noon on Thursday

202-363-1923

or Click here to see the form

Prayer of the Week

By the holy cross let us beseech the Lord, that through it He may deliver us from our sins and save us by the grace of His mercy. Almighty Lord, our God, save us and have mercy on us.

   Lord, please keep watch over your faithful people, strengthen those fleeing persecution, and protect the holy soil of Armenia—now and always. Foil every aggressor against our homeland. Defend the innocent and voiceless, Lord.

  Preserve the name and spirit of Artsakh in our hearts, forever. Console all those who grieve, and remember those who sacrificed their very lives in your Name.

  Deliver your faithful children from conflict, and bestow your peace on all mankind. Amen.

Please tune in to St. Mary YouTube channel for the upcoming services and Badaraks

Historic Visit of Baroness Cox to St. Mary Armenian Church

We are honored and delighted to announce the visit of the esteemed Baroness Cox to St. Mary Armenian Church on Sunday, November 5. She will be joining us for the Badarak service. Following the service, there will be a special reception in the church hall, graciously hosted by the Armenian Assembly of America.

This is a unique and significant opportunity for our community to meet and engage with a figure who has been influential in global humanitarian causes and has done so much for Armenia and Artsakh. We warmly invite all our parishioners to join us for this historic occasion.

Please arrive early to ensure seating, and let's come together in fellowship and gratitude for this special event.

Reflecting on a Joyful Family Sunday at St. Mary's

On October 29th, the warm and welcoming hall of St. Mary Armenian Church buzzed with the vibrant spirit of our children. As the autumn leaves adorned the streets outside, our church hall was aglow with the laughter and fellowship of young families gathering for our monthly Family Sunday.

Beginning at 10:30 AM in the comfort of our church hall, families had an opportunity to leave their children under the safe care of dedicated providers, to worship during the Badarak. The children enjoyed their own space to play and learn during the church service.

Family Sunday at St. Mary is not just an event; it's a celebration of unity, learning, and spiritual enrichment that we are proud to host on the last Sunday of every month. As we look forward to the next gatherings on November 26th and December 31st, we hold in our hearts the joy and fellowship shared on this delightful October day.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the families, volunteers, and staff who made this Family Sunday a resounding success. Your participation and support are what make our community truly special.

Join us next time, as we continue to build the bonds of family and faith at St. Mary Armenian Church. If you want to be added to the Family Sunday Group Messaging, contact Christine (617) 304-8832 or Nora (301) 807-2755.

A Memorable Encounter: Garo Paylan’s Visit to St. Mary

On a brisk October Sunday, our St. Mary community had the distinct honor of welcoming Garo Paylan to our midst. The visit, which coincided with our Family Sunday on October 29, added a profound dimension to an already heartwarming day.

Garo Paylan, a name synonymous with courage and advocacy, graced us with his presence, offering our congregation the unique opportunity to engage with a man who has been a tireless champion of Armenian issues, culture, and heritage. His role as a former member of the Turkish Parliament and his vocal activism in a climate that is often less than welcoming is a beacon of hope and resilience for Armenians worldwide.

The community greeted him with a deep sense of gratitude for the work he has undertaken on behalf of Armenians in Turkey and around the globe. His advocacy has not only highlighted the vibrant culture and heritage of our people but has also shed light on the issues that we continue to face.

We are excited to announce that plans are already underway for another, more formal visit, the date of which will be provided soon. This future event will give our community the opportunity to not only listen to Mr. Paylan’s perspectives but also to engage directly with him through questions and in-depth discussions. It will be a chance for a meaningful exchange on topics that are crucial to us all.

ACYOA Juniors Bake Sale Report



The ACYOA Juniors held a bake sale on Sunday, October 29th, after badarak. The teens brought in all kinds of goodies, which brought in $650 for the Fund For Armenian Relief (FAR).  FAR is helping the Armenians who have fled Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), resulting in widespread displacement, suffering, and a dire need for humanitarian aid.  Many thanks to the parents, teens, and all the parishioners who made donations!

Prayer for Healing Service & Bible Study at St. Mary

In the gentle embrace of St. Mary's sanctuary, our Prayer for Healing Service on October 31 was a profound experience for all who attended. The community came together in faith, seeking comfort and solace in the Lord's presence.

Following our heartfelt prayers, we delved into the scripture, meditating on the passages of Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26, where the power of faith is so vividly illustrated. These verses recount the stirring episodes of a woman healed by her faith upon touching Jesus' garment, and a synagogue leader’s daughter raised from the dead. Here, we see Jesus responding to faith with miracles, teaching us that our faith in Him has the power to transcend the seeming finality of our earthly struggles.

This scripture holds a profound significance for us today, reminding us that the Lord is ever-present, listening to the whispers of our hearts. It encourages us to reach out with faith, no matter how faint it may seem, to touch the hem of His garment. For in our modern age, where instant solutions often elude the deeper cries of our souls, the patience and perseverance embodied in these verses offer a blueprint for spiritual resilience.

The healing service, therefore, was not just a ritual of prayer, but an embodiment of the very essence of these passages—our collective reaching out to feel the fabric of the divine, yearning for restoration not just in body, but in spirit.

As we move forward, let us carry the message of these scriptures with us. May our lives be testimonies to the power of faith, and may we support each other in our journeys, being ever mindful of the healing grace that flows from our Savior’s touch.

Prayer of Healing and Bible Discussions will continue to be offered every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. 

Fall Festival Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

On Thursday evening, November 2^nd, 2023, over 60 parishioners gathered for a Fall 2023 Food Festival Volunteer Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Parish Council. The event was dedicated to the army of volunteers who worked tirelessly before and during the 3-day extravaganza, which was a tremendous success given the number of guests who attended the festival.

The evening was filled with affection and gratitude as we acknowledged all the volunteers who answered the call to service. The room was festive, and a sumptuous table of savory was catered by our very own Sevada of Nora’s Kabob and Catering www.noraskabob.com. In addition, an array of homemade sweets was provided by our talented parishioners. We thank once more all our church members for their continued generosity and support. 

The gathering ended with a special celebration cheering Der Hovsep's and Yn. Jennifer’s 20^th Wedding Anniversary. Der Hovsep noted that St. Mary's community has become part of his family and feels blessed to continue worshiping together as well as faithfully serving our Lord and Savior. 

The Parish Council continues to work behind the scenes to ensure the needs of our church and parish are met. We salute each and every one for serving on the council and are grateful for their dedication and labor of love.

St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church

Ararat Avak Society

Invites you to Join

The Armenian Style Brunch - Հայկական Նախաճաշ

on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 11:30 AM

At St. Mary Church Hall

Menu

Sujuk & Egg Omelette; Pasterma Pide; Cigar Cheese Boreg; Armenian String Cheese

Armenian-Style French Toast; Katmer; Kata; Ser (Kaymak); Shakshouka (Menemen)

And various homemade desserts: Mimos, Coffee and Samover Tea

Donation: $25

Everybody is welcome!

For More Information or to Reserve Your Seat Call:

Takuhi Hallajian (301) 219-4041

Raffi Sahakian (301) 221-4533

Mark your calendars and sign-up for THE charity event of the holiday season.

Food will be made available and items will be for sale to help the Armenian refugees of Artsakh.

This event will focus on explaining to non-Armenians the dire humanitarian needs of our people, so all Armenians are encouraged to bring friends. After buying tickets for yourself, purchase a few extra and invite your charitable friends - and don't forget to share the flyer and link on social media!

RECYCLING PROGRAM NEWS

Thanks to our Recycling Committee for their work in sorting and bringing home the recyclables every Sunday, especially during our recent Food Festival. What has been discouraging, though, is that people continue to throw half-full coffee cups and food into the container, which makes it very messy for us. Please put only the following in the container:

Empty plastic bottles

Empty aluminum cans

Empty glass bottles

Nothing else!!

No paper, no plastic silverware, no coffee cups, no paper plates, no food. We are trying to keep things simple.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please email Roxanne Paul at rangerrox@msn.com. Thank you for being so supportive in helping keep our planet cleaner!

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

Enthronement Anniversary of Catholicos Karekin II

The coming weeks will mark the 24th anniversary of the consecration and enthronement of His Holiness Karekin II. It was on November 4, 1999, that His Holiness was formally enthroned as the 132nd Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, in a magnificent ceremony at the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia.

To mark the anniversary, Armenian churches worldwide will offer prayers for the health and prosperity of the Catholicos. Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan has directed parishes of the Eastern Diocese to conduct the “Special Prayer for the Catholicos” at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 5.

Throughout the bitter tribulations of our age, His Holiness has been a singular voice of strength, conviction, and reassurance for our people: an exemplar of our ancient Christian heritage, and a champion of our national aspirations to secure a just and peaceful future.

Four years ago, Catholicos Karekin discouraged holding a grand celebration of his 20th anniversary while the Mother Cathedral was undergoing a restoration. And in the subsequent years, with our homeland at war and in crisis, his entire attention has been focused on the well-being of our people. Nevertheless, his 24th year on the pontifical throne is a blessed opportunity for all of us, the Armenian faithful, to unite in prayer on his behalf.

Please join in those prayers at church and at home in the coming week. May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to grant robust health, long life, and spiritual fortitude to our Catholicos.

Reach Out Through the Diocesan-Wide “Artsakh Refugee Fund”

In a message to the Diocesan faithful early this month, Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan announced a Diocesan-wide fundraising effort to bring aid to Artsakh refugees now forced to flee the land of their birth.

The “Artsakh Refugee Fund” was announced in all our parishes as a unified effort of the entire Eastern Diocese to respond to this time of grave crisis for the Armenian people.

You can support the Eastern Diocese’s “Artsakh Refugee Fund” by making an online contribution. Please note that all the fundraising proceeds will go to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for direct distribution to the Artsakh refugees.

Click here to donate now, using the Diocese’s secure server. Make sure to select “Artsakh Refugee Fund” from the dropdown menu.

In addition, our Diocese’s Fund for Armenian Relief is doing urgently needed work to help the refugee population, including on-the-ground, person-to-person efforts through its Ayo! crowdfunding platform. (See the FAR item below for links.)

Please lend a helping hand to this effort and keep our sisters and brothers of Artsakh in your prayers during these urgent times. May God support and protect our people.

UPCOMING EVENTS

“The Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” Psalms 147

Prayers for Healing

Աղօթք Բժշկութեան

Join us in this ancient Armenian Church tradition:

A brief prayer service, holy Scripture, and blessing of holy water asking God to ease the pains of body, mind, and soul and bestow his peace.

The Bible Discussions on the healing miracles of our Lord will follow the services.

Prayer of Healing and Bible Discussions will be offered every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

ALL ARE WELCOME

CLASSIFIED ANNOUNCEMENT

St. Nersess to Honor 12 Priests and Lay Alumni on Nov. 4



St. Nersess Armenian Seminary will highlight the vocations of 12 alumni priests and lay ministers, with a gala banquet on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

This will be the second in a series of tribute events featuring alumni of St. Nersess who serve the Armenian Church in various capacities. The first celebration took place in November 2021 and established the “12 Vocations” theme. The upcoming event will build on that idea, under the title: “12 Vocations: Broadening the Call.”

This year, the event will honor a seminary graduate who became a hierarch of the Armenian Church: Archbishop Avak Asadourian (priestly ordination in 1977, episcopal consecration in 1982), who recently retired after a long tenure as Primate of the Diocese of Iraq.

He will be honored along with seven clergymen and four lay ministers—listed here by ordination or graduation date: Fr. Krikor Sabounjian (ordained 1998); Fr. Sarkis Petoyan (ordained 1998); Fr. Abraham Ohanessian (ordained 1999); Fr. Mikael Devejian (ordained 2000); Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan (ordained 2004); Fr. Aren Jebejian (ordained 2004); Fr. Bedros Kadehjian (ordained 2005); Mka. Valerie Goekjian Zahirsky (graduated 1974); Yn. Sirarpi Feredjian Aivazian (graduated 1978); Nancy Basmajian (graduated 1979); and Shaké Ajamian Derderian (graduated 1989).

Invitations and further details on the November 4 banquet will be coming soon. Contact event co-chair Lynn Beylerian at lynnbeylerian@gmail.com or access the seminary website: www.stnersess.edu. 

Special Gift for St. Mary Gift Shop

St. Mary gift shop is offering limited numbers of imported bottles of medieval Armenian health elixirs formulated from ancient manuscripts deciphered at the Matendaran Museum of Ancient Armenian Manuscripts. These elixirs are made in Armenia by Armen Sahakyan, a pharmacologist and botanical scholar who has been working at the Matenadaran Museum for the last several decades. A trained medical doctor ordained a deacon in 1997, Sahakyan has dedicated his life to the maintenance of Armenia’s sacred botanical traditions.

The three different batches available at our gift shop (Royal Elixir, Arates Elixir and Arates Tonic) are made from a codified recipe of medieval Armenian medicine, using a special distillation process. They contain medicinal and aromatic plants, known for their healing properties. Through the distillation and aging process alcohol is created, so think of them as perhaps Armenia’s first (healthy) cognac! 

The supplies are limited and each bottle is numbered, including the batch and year of production. All of the bottles were donated to St Mary Church, so 100% of the proceeds will go to the St Mary Endowment Fund, with a portion also going to support Armenian clergy serving in Artsakh.

"Embrace the Future" Endowment Fund

Dear Parishioners and Friends, 

This year we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the St. Mary Community and Church with the launch of the new "Embrace the Future" Endowment Fund to help ensure our church has the resources needed to continue serving our beloved community.  

Just as you plan for your future and that of your family, please join us in planning for the future of St. Mary Church. 

We are asking for your support so that St. Mary will be able to continue to fulfill her mission for future generations.  

The link below lists various opportunities for you to make a meaningful gift of lasting significance that will help support our church's long-term security, visibility, and vitality. Please consider making either a one-time gift or pledge, which would allow you to make payments over a five-year period.

Join St. Mary's Prayer Group

We are initiating a new form of ministry at St. Mary Armenian Church. For parishioners who would like to make an electronic prayer request, they can do so by Clicking Here

A group of volunteers will receive the request and pray at their earliest convenience. Additionally, a new physical prayer request box will be placed at the entrance of St. Mary Armenian Church with blank forms that anyone can fill out and drop in the box. These requests will be retrieved weekly and delivered to the members of the volunteer prayer group. If you would like to become one of the volunteers of the Prayer Group please email us. 

Please click on the link below to present your request. 

Buy a Brick and Leave Your Legacy at

St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church

Bricks can be ordered and purchased by clicking below and

filling out a simple online order form.

You can choose to have a 4" x 8" brick

which includes your preselected

3 lines of 20 characters per line of text.

Or you can choose to have the

Armenian Cross artwork on the 4" x 8" brick

which includes your preselected

3 lines of 15 characters per line of text.

Order Today While Quantities Last!

Payment can be made with PayPal or a Credit Card.

Legacy Brick Donations are Tax Deductible.

November 5 Historic Visit of Baroness Cox to St. Mary Armenian Church

November 11 Armenian Style Brunch hosted by AVAK Society at 11:30 AM

November 12 Shnorhali School Talent Show

November 21 Presentation of the Holy Mother-of-God to the Temple

December 3 Lecture on the Armenian Monasteries by Ms.Whitney Adana Kite

December 9   Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

December 10 Celebration Of the 91st Anniversary of the Church

December 16 ACYOA Seniors Fundraising Event

December 24 Shnorhali School Christmas Celebration

17Ծածուկ ոչինչ չկայ, որ չյայտնուի, ոչ էլ գաղտնի բան, որ չի¬մացուի եւ ի յայտ չգայ։ 18Այսուհետեւ զգո՛յշ եղէք, թէ ինչպէս էք դուք լսում. որովհետեւ ով որ ունի, նրան կը տրուի, իսկ ով որ չունի, եւ այն, ինչ որ նա կարծում է, թէ ունի, կը վերցուի նրանից» 19Նրա մօտ եկան իր մայրն ու եղբայրները եւ չէին կա-րողանում նրան մօտենալ բազմութեան պատճառով։ 20Ի¬մաց տուին նրան եւ ասացին. «Քո մայրը եւ քո եղբայրները դրսում կանգնել են եւ ուզում են քեզ տեսնել»։ 21Եւ նրանց ասաց. «Իմ մայրը եւ եղբայրները սրանք են, որ Աստծու խօս¬քը լսում են եւ կատարում»։

(Ղուկաս 8:17-21)



17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them." 19 Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you." 21 He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice." 

(Luke 8:17-21)

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, tapestry icons, children's and adult books, T-shirts, hats, bags, Armenian CDs, Armenian artwork, and much more. 

The Gift Shop is open every Sunday after Church service and by appointment, call the church office at 202-363-1923 or send an e-mail to stmarychurchdc@gmail.com