November 15

TOP STORY   

The Holy Apostles Andrew and Phillip



On November 16 the Armenian Church commemorates the feast of the Holy Apostles Andrew and Philip.

St. Andrew the Apostle - was the brother of Simon Peter (Matt., 10: 2; John 1:40). Both were fishermen (Matt 4:18; Mark 1:16), and at the beginning of Our Lord's public life, they occupied the same house at Capharnaum (Mark1:21, 29). From the fourth Gospel, we learn that Andrew was a disciple of the Baptist, whose testimony first led him and John the Evangelist to follow Jesus (John 1:35-40). Andrew at once recognized Jesus as the Messiah and hastened to introduce Him to his brother, Peter, (John 1:41).

It is generally agreed that he was crucified by order of the Roman Governor, Aegeas or Aegeates, at Patrae in Achaia, and that he was bound, not nailed, to the cross, to prolong his sufferings. The cross on which he suffered is commonly held to have been the decussate cross, now known as St. Andrew's, though the evidence for this view seems to be no older than the fourteenth century. His martyrdom took place during the reign of Nero, on 30 November, A.D. 60).

St. Philip the Apostle - Like the brothers, Peter and Andrew, Philip was a native of Bethsaida on Lake Genesareth (John 1:44). He also was among those surrounding the Baptist when the latter first pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God. On the day after Peter's call, when about to set out for Galilee, Jesus met Philip and called him to the Apostolate with the words, "Follow me", Philip obeyed the call, and a little later brought Nathaniel as a new disciple (John 1:43-45). He has preached in Asia Minor. Apostle Philip was martyred in the town of Heliople.

November 17, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Rouzanna Oganissian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Shahnur Bostan

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Isaiah 25:9-26:7

Philippians 1:1-11

Luke 9:44-50

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Souls of:

Yuri Episkoposyan and Raya Oganov

Requested by:

Vardan and Anna Episkoposyan and family

For the Souls of:

Pilibos and Vartuhi Safak, Hagop Shafakian, Sahak Shafakian, Araksi Safak Tunc, Mardiros Shafakian

Requested by:

Eva Shafakian, Mari Shafakian, Takuhi Hallajian and Families

Hospitality Table is hosted by:

Episkoposyan, Shafakian, Hallajian families

Altar flowers donated by:

Ani O’Briend,

Manoug and Talin Habibian, in memory of their loved ones

Prayer of the Week

Lord, please keep watch over your faithful people, strengthen those in captivity, 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.

O Lord, sanctify those who have greeted in love the beauty of your house. Glorify us with your divine power and forsake not those who put their trust in you. Grant peace to the whole world and to all your people. Amen.

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

Please Join Us for a

Weekend of Celebration

Celebrating 92 Years of St Mary’s Faith and Service

Honoring Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan’s 20th Anniversary of Ordination into the Holy Priesthood

Witnessing Ordination of Deacons and Sub-Deacons

Prayer Service for Artsakh Captives Held at St. Mary Armenian Church

On November 10, the parishioners and friends of St. Mary Armenian Church united in a heartfelt prayer service dedicated to the Armenians of Artsakh who remain captive in Azerbaijan. This service was part of a worldwide prayer initiative, led by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, calling Armenian churches around the globe to stand in solidarity for justice, peace, and the protection of those held unlawfully on fabricated charges in Baku.

The service began with a warm welcome from Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, who introduced the guests and expressed gratitude for their solidarity and commitment to the Armenian cause. Special guests, including advocate Nancy Najarian, and President and CEO of Save the Persecuted Christians, Frank Gaffney, joined the St. Mary community, invited by Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Ecumenical Director and Diocesan Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. Najarian and Gaffney shared moving words, inspiring hope and resilience, while urging all present to continue supporting the people of Artsakh. Present were also Mr. Robert Avetisyan, former Representative of the Republic of Artsakh to the United States and current Director of Research and Analysis at the Armenian Assembly of America, and Colonel Hrayr Geghamyan, Defense Attaché of the Armenian Embassy to the United States, along with members of the Armenian Embassy staff.

At the conclusion of the prayer, a special requiem service was offered for the souls of all who sacrificed their lives for the protection of Armenia and Artsakh.

Shnorhali School’s Annual Talent Show Celebrates Armenian Heritage in Honor of Saint Nerses Shnorhali

On Sunday, November 10, Shnorhali School at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church hosted its highly anticipated annual Talent Show—a vibrant celebration of Armenian culture, creativity, and the exceptional talents of its students. This event honored Saint Nerses Shnorhali, a revered figure whose profound influence as an intellectual, poet, theologian, and spiritual leader has left an enduring legacy in Armenian Christian history and culture.

The afternoon began with a captivating presentation by 7th-grade teacher Alvard Semirjyan, who shared insights into Saint Nerses Shnorhali’s life and contributions. Shnorhali’s impact has deeply shaped Armenian religious and cultural traditions for centuries. This tribute was further enriched by our 7th-grade students, who presented some of Shnorhali’s famous riddles, inviting the audience to experience the intellectual curiosity he inspired. Following this, the national anthem of the Republic of Armenia was performed by our students and attendees, bringing everyone together in celebration of their shared heritage. Click to read more.

Christmas Gift Sale to Benefit Armenia

This Sunday, Nov 17th, after badarak in the parish hall, there will be an ACYOA-sponsored fundraising event for the “AYO” fundraising platform of Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) Charitable Organization. Proceeds will help finance local, community-based projects in Armenia to meet the most pressing needs of children with disabilities, Artsakh refugees, and people experiencing other forms of hardship.

If you can't come on Sunday but would like to buy Christmas gifts and support the cause, you may select gifts from the online catalogue and contact lianna.vanoyan@gmail.com, Tel: 571 228 3127.

Toiletries for Teens - Opportunity for a Good Deed

The ACYOA juniors are sponsoring a parish wide good deed, collecting toiletries for teens, to benefit needy teens in the metro area. This past Sunday, at their monthly meeting, the teens created posters to remind the parish of the drive.  The posters will be displayed, a different one each week, at the collection bin in the small hall. 

Come admire the teens' artistry and bring a toiletry from the list below:

   o Toothbrushes (individually packaged)

   o Toothpaste

   o Deodorant (full size)

   o Bar soap (individually packaged)

   o Maxi pads

to the donation box in the parish hall during the month of November. 

The toiletries will be given to needy teens via the https://www.foodforneighbors.org/ organization, which operates snack and toiletries closets in public schools.

Armenian Digital Advent Calendar

We are thrilled to announce that the new Digital Advent Calendar 2024-2025 created by the Children and Family Ministry has been launched. We hope this calendar will make the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas more joyful and become a handy tool to connect families through the light of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

After you have the calendar as an app on your screen, start opening the red doors on November 17. Each day the door will lead you to a new message and a Bible reading. Enjoy this calendar with your family and share it with your loved ones. Please note that you won't be able to open the doors before Sunday, November 17 - we don't want you peeking!

How to save to the home screen for iPad and iPhone.1. On your phone or the iPad open the link Digital Advent Calendar 2024-2025. Tap the share button on the bottom of the page or the top right corner. It looks like a square with an arrow pointing out of the top.

2. In the list of options, scroll down until you see “add to home screen”. Tap this. Then "add to home screen" dialog box will appear.

3. Choose a name for the website shortcut on your home screen. You'll see the link so you can confirm it, as well as the site's favicon that will appear as the "app" icon on your home screen. Click “add” when you're done. Safari will close automatically, and you will be taken to where the icon is located on your iPhone’s or iPad's home screen.

How to save to the home screen for Android.

1. On your phone or tablet open the link to Digital Advent Calendar 2024-2025.

2. Tap the menu icon (3 dots in the upper right-hand corner) and tap add to the home screen.

3. Choose a name for the website shortcut, and then chrome will add it to your home screen.

Upcoming Book Presentation: "Odes of Saint Nersess the Graceful"

Join us on Sunday, December 15th at 1:30 PM, following Badarak, for a special book presentation by Dr. Jesse S. Arlen at St. Mary Armenian Church (4125 Fessenden St., NW, Washington, DC 20016). Dr. Arlen will introduce the newly released Odes of Saint Nersess the Graceful, an annotated translation of the hymns and prayers of Saint Nerses Shnorhali (1102–1173), a revered figure in the medieval Armenian Church. This work, co-authored with Matthew J. Sarkisian, brings these spiritual treasures into English for modern readers, highlighting their theological and poetic depth. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore an essential part of Armenian Christian heritage.

Eastern Diocese Joins Global Prayer for the Release of Captives

Parishes across the Eastern Diocese joined Armenian Church faithful around the world on Sunday, November 10, in a special prayer service for the Artsakh Armenians who are being held captive in Azerbaijan—one year after the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, and four years after the surprise attack and subsequent war against our people there.

Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan had directed the Eastern Diocese’s 60 parishes and mission communities to pray for the unreleased captives, in order to help bring broad public attention to the urgent issue of defending the rights of Artsakh Armenians. Local pastors were sent information and instructions pertaining to the prayer service, as well as resources to adapt for their communities.

The worldwide prayer service went forward at the request of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, who in early October had called on all Armenian churches—from the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin to every local congregation—to pray for the liberation of the Armenian captives.

Individual parishes in the Eastern Diocese reached out to their respective local government representatives, diplomats, ecumenical leaders, media, and other institutions to share in the prayer service. Bishop Mesrop was visiting St. Peter Church in Watervliet, NY, on November 10, and led the local faithful in the prayer for captives, assisted by pastor Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian (pictured above).

A special event at Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, MA, featured guest speaker Dr. Noubar Afeyan, who spoke movingly about his close personal friendship with Ruben Vardanyan, one of the Armenians currently being held against their will by the Azeri government. 

In Washington, DC, St. Mary Church invited several distinguished guests to the occasion, including Frank Gaffney, president of “Save the Persecuted Christians”; human rights advocate Nancy Najarian; Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian; Robert Avetisyan, former Representative of Artsakh to the U.S.; Colonel Hrayr Geghamyan of Armenia’s Embassy to the U.S., and members of the embassy staff.

St. James of Nisibis Church in Evanston, IL, shared the occasion with U.S. Congressman Danny Davis and international attorney Elizabeth Al-Dajani, who showed their solidarity with the Armenian community.

Sister Churches Show Solidarity Through Prayer

In response to Catholicos Karekin II’s appeal, prayers for Armenia and Artsakh rang out on Sunday, November 10, from Holy Etchmiadzin to every Armenian Church jurisdiction around the world. But His Holiness' plea was also taken up by the global ecumenical community, and by numerous sister Christian communities.

In a solemn service in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Council of Churches (WCC) called for the unconditional release of 23 Armenian war hostages, as well as of human rights activists and journalists detained in Azeri jails. WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Jerry Pillay delivered that message in Geneva’s historic St. Pierre Cathedral (shown here in a photo by Ivars Kupcis).

Earlier, thanks to the efforts of Archbishop Vicken Aykazian (the Eastern Diocese’s Ecumenical Director, and an influential figure on the world ecumenical stage), the World Council of Churches had invited member churches around the globe to pray on November 10 in support of Armenia and its people: for peace, for support of refugees, and for the release of the war hostages.

In the United States, the National Council of Churches sent a bulletin to its 37 member communions, representing some 35 million people in 100,000 congregations in the U.S., urging church leaders, pastors and congregations to join their voices to the worldwide prayer. The NCC cited Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan’s message to Diocese leaders, adding: “Our Armenian Christian sisters and brothers worldwide will be fortified by the solidarity reflected in our prayers for them.”

In Armenia, during the Prayer for Captives at the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Catholicos of All Armenians acknowledged the international show of solidarity in his homily. “We note with gratitude,” His Holiness Karekin II said, “that today, through the efforts of the World Council of Churches and global interchurch institutions, our Christian sisters and brothers across the world are also raising prayers to release the captives, and to protect the rights of Artsakh’s exiled Armenians.”

He went on: “Thank you for answering our plea, and for lending your commitment to this cause, out of your heartfelt concern for the Armenian people.”

FAR NEWS

FAR’s Hypertension Project Honors the Late Dr. Chobanian

​In honor of the late Dr. Aram Chobanian—a longtime FAR visionary and pioneering physician, heart specialist, and academic (inset above)—the Fund for Armenian Relief recently launched a new “Hypertension Management Project” in Armenia.

This initiative focuses on improving blood pressure control in rural communities like Byurakan and Khndzoresk, where hypertension is a growing concern. Starting with a health survey, FAR is gathering critical data on blood pressure, weight, lifestyle habits, and treatment adherence.

Local high school students (like the ones shown here) are helping gather and input this data into a specialized system. The goal is to better understand how these communities manage hypertension, and to identify gaps in care.

Based on the findings, FAR will implement targeted interventions using the World Health Foundation’s HEARTS guidelines. After one year, FAR will evaluate the impact of its efforts and explore ways to scale the project.

This is just one tangible and vital way that your support helps improve health outcomes in Armenia. Stay up to date with this and other important initiatives by following FAR on its website and its Facebook page.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

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.

Buy a Brick and Leave Your Legacy at

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November 17 AYO! Fundraising Fellowship Presentation after Badarak

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

November 24 Women's Guild Thanksgiving Bake Sale

December 7 and 8 St. Mary Church Anniversary

Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Der Hovsep's Ordination

December 9    Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

December 14 Christmas Market hosted by the Parish Council

December 15 Book Presentation: "Odes of Saint Nersess the Graceful "by Dr. Jesse S. Arlen at 1:30 pm (after Badarak)

 44Եւ ամէնքը զարմանում էին Աստծու մեծագործութիւնների վրայ։ Եւ մինչդեռ բոլորը զարմանում էին այն ամենի վրայ, որ նա կատարում էր, նա իր աշակերտներին ասաց. «Ձեր ականջների մէջ պահեցէ՛ք դուք այս խօսքերը. որ մարդու Որդին մատնուելու է մարդկանց ձեռքը»։ 45Սակայն նրանք չէին ըմբռնում այս խօսքը, եւ դա ծածկուած էր նրանցից, որ չիմանան. եւ վախենում էին այդ խօսքի մասին հարց տալ նրան։ 46Աշակերտների մէջ մի վէճ առաջ եկաւ, թէ արդեօք իրենցից ո՛վ է մեծ։ 47Երբ Յիսուս իմացաւ նրանց սրտի խորհուրդները, վերցրեց մի մանուկ, կանգնեցրեց նրանց մէջ իր մօտ 48եւ ասաց նրանց. «Ով որ այս մանկանը ընդունի իմ անունով, ինձ է ընդունում. իսկ ով որ ինձ ընդունի, ընդունում է ինձ ուղարկողին. որովհետեւ, ով որ ձեր մէջ փոքրագոյնն է, նա՛ է մեծ»։ 49Յովհաննէսը պատասխանեց եւ ասաց. «Վարդապե՛տ, տեսանք մէկին, որ քո անունով դեւեր էր հանում, եւ արգելեցինք նրան, որովհետեւ մեզ հետ չի շրջում»։ 50Յիսուս ասաց նրանց. «Մի՛ արգելէք նրան, որովհետեւ, ով որ ձեր թշնամին չէ, ձեր կողմն է»։

(Luke 9:44-50)

44 "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men." 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. 46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest." 49 "Master," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him because he is not one of us." 50 "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you."

(Ղուկաս 9:44-50)

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