October 6

TOP STORY   

Seventy-Two Disciples?

You might think it’s a misprint. Everyone knows that Jesus had exactly twelve disciples—so why does the Armenian Church calendar reserve a feast day for the Seventy-Two Disciples of Christ? (We’ll observe it this Saturday, October 7.)

In fact, the Seventy-Two Disciples are firmly rooted in Scripture—but only the Gospel of Luke mentions them. They were the “advance team” for Christ’s ministry, fanning out into the countryside, preaching in villages and towns—preparing the soil, as it were, for Jesus’ personal arrival in a given locale.

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,” Christ said as he dispatched the 72 disciples. “So the Lord of the harvest has to send more workers out into the fields.”

He sent them out “as lambs among wolves,” without purse, bag, or sandals. He told them to live simply but deliver an urgent message.

What happened to them? What might they mean for us today? Click on this link to find out.

October 8, 2023

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Arlin Diratsuyan

Parish Council Members on Duty

Svetlanna Hovhannisyan

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Isaiah 17.7-14; 2

2 Corinthians 13.5-13

Mark 11.27-33

For the Soul of :

Asadur Tufeckgian

Anna Bolek

Anna Loloyan

Requested by:

Janet Tufeckgian

For the Soul of :

Haroutioun Bardizbanian

Requested by:

Raffie, Maureen, Arthur &

Raffie Jr. Bardizbanian

-------------------------------------------

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

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. 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

Join Us at St. Mary's Fall Food Festival!

After weeks of meticulous preparation by the dedicated Women's Guild Committee and the selfless efforts of countless volunteers, St. Mary's Fall Food Festival has begun! Spanning this entire weekend, it's an event not to be missed.

Immerse yourself in the rich Armenian culinary delights and experience the warmth of our legendary hospitality. Our festival has already attracted numerous guests from all corners of the region, and the event is only getting started!

Be a part of this festive gathering. We can't wait to welcome you!

Prayer for Artsakh



On Sunday, October 1st, the St. Mary community came together for a poignant and moving "Prayer for Artsakh" service. This took place immediately after the Divine Liturgy, echoing a global sentiment of support and solidarity.

The need to lend our voices in prayer was profoundly felt in light of the recent tragedies that have befallen the people of Artsakh due to Azeri aggression and subsequent ethnic cleansing. Almost the entire Armenian population of Artsakh has been displaced, becoming refugees in their own land. In these trying times, the power of prayer becomes a beacon of hope and solace.

In a remarkable display of unity and shared empathy, Armenian Churches worldwide also hosted their own "Prayer for Artsakh" ceremonies. As part of their local Sunday services, each of these churches became a part of a larger, synchronized effort. This collective prayer effort was a testament to the strength of the Armenian global community, standing together in spirit for the people of Artsakh.

Our hope is that our combined prayers, echoing from every corner of the globe, will provide comfort, strength, and resilience to those affected by the harrowing events in Artsakh. We continue to keep them in our hearts and prayers, hoping for a brighter, peaceful future.

St. Mary Chruch has established a special fund to help our brothers and sisters of Artsakh. To bring your financial support to the Artsakhi Refuges in Armenian, click on the link below.

Support Artsakh Refuges | St. Mary Armenian Church (Powered by Donorbox)

Healing and Faith Explored at St. Mary Armenian Church

On October 3rd, the peaceful atmosphere of St. Mary Armenian Church was the backdrop to a profound "Prayer for Healing" service. Parishioners gathered, seeking solace and spiritual rejuvenation. Their collective faith and hope permeated the sacred walls, invoking divine intervention and comfort.

Following this touching service, those present embarked on an enlightening Bible Study, on Matthew 9:1-8, recounting the miraculous act where Jesus heals a paralytic, showcasing His unparalleled power to not only heal physical suffering but to also grant forgiveness.

The study was structured, beginning with a reading, moving on to contextual understanding and culminating in insightful observations and analysis. Participants examined the socio-religious backdrop of the biblical times, the characters in the story, and their unique roles and actions.

We explored the unwavering faith of the paralytic and his friends, Jesus' response to such faith, and the broader spiritual ramifications of this healing. Discussions revolved around how we, in modern times, can emulate such faith and the importance of forgiveness in our spiritual journeys.

The session concluded with the affirmation that, like the paralytic, our encounters with Jesus have the power to transform. Whether we seek physical healing or the mending of our spirits, unwavering faith and the act of forgiving can pave the way.

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

White Elephant Sale/ Fall Festival

We are having our traditional White Elephant Sale during Fall Festival, so please bring your quality, gently used items to church on Sunday mornings, or Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Space is limited, we appreciate donations (no clothes, books, or large items).

Thank you for your generous support through monetary donations or through the donation of time to make our Annual Food Festival a success.

Meat Cutting and Yalanchi Workshops

On Saturday, September 30^th, 2023 the men of our Parish gathered in the church’s kitchen with sharpened knives and did their part in the traditional Meat-Cutting Workshop for the upcoming Fall Food Festival. 

Not only they worked tirelessly trimming and skillfully cutting the meat (lamb) and chicken, but they also helped the ladies with making kadaif. Moreover, the men gathered once more the next day, Sunday, October 1^st to peel a couple of hundred pounds of onions. With tears in their eyes, they stayed true to their service. We are immensely grateful to one and each one of them for their dedication, enthusiasm and for answering the call in support of our beloved church to prosper and continue its mission. 

We invite you all to join us this weekend starting Friday, October 6^th through Sunday, October 8^th (see flyer for details), and witness for yourselves the result of the many hours of labor that went into preparing the food for the Annual event. We also invite you all to reach out and provide your contact information by emailing the church office at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com with your interest and ways you may share your God-given skills with us.

Thanks to all the volunteers who made the meechoug (filling) and also those who came to wrap the Yalanchi last Saturday in preparation for our Food Festival. We were especially honored to have Der Hayr join in with the wrapping!!

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

Catholicos Karekin II’s “Prayer for Artsakh”

His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, offered a special message to Armenian faithful throughout the world on Sunday, October 1, 2023: a day declared as a pan-national “Prayer for Artsakh.” The date had previously been reserved for a celebratory “Blessing of the Holy Muron” ceremony—but that event was postponed by a decision of the Supreme Spiritual Council, in light of the unfolding tragedy for Artsakh and its Armenians.

Accordingly, on October 1 His Holiness presided over the Divine Liturgy celebrated before the open-air St. Drtad Altar at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and afterwards led the special prayer ceremony. The occasion—which was also the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak, according to the Armenian Church calendar—drew a large international crowd of faithful to the ceremony at the Mother See, while Armenians in parishes across the world held their own prayer services on the day.

For the ceremonies at Holy Etchmiadzin, Catholicos Karekin II brought a precious relic of the Armenian Church out for a rare public viewing and veneration. During the procession to the altar, the Catholicos held the Holy Lance of Keghart: believed since ancient times to be a relic of the Roman lance that pierced the side of Christ before he was brought down from the cross, as described in the Gospel of St. John (Jn 19:31-37).

With the Holy Lance of Keghart in his hands, His Holiness conferred a blessing on the faithful in attendance, and on the homeland of Armenia and Artsakh.

To conclude the service, the Catholicos of All Armenians delivered a message to the entire Armenian world, calling on his people to unite in a time of national crisis. He offered a bittersweet reflection on the sad realities confronting his people today.

“This priceless symbol of our country, this land of Artsakh,” he said, “still lives in our hearts, and the consciousness of Artsakh being Armenian will not diminish in future generations. But now, let us pray together for our people of Artsakh: Let us be kind and supportive to our exiled brothers and sisters, consoling them in their pain and trouble, showing care for their existence and needs.

To the beleaguered Artsakh Armenians, His Holiness urged them: “Be strong and resilient with your special, brave spirit. Remain steadfast in your faith and hope, continue to live and create, never succumbing to despair. Keep your love for Artsakh and your native heritage alive forever. All of our people and the church are with you in these painful days, with ready commitments to support you.”

Click the following links to:

• READ Catholicos Karekin II’s sermon, in English and Armenian.
• WATCH a recording of the solemn liturgy.
• VIEW photos of the Prayer for Artsakh ceremony.

The Episcopal Ordination of Our Primate at Holy Etchmiadzin

This Sunday, October 8, will be a special milestone in the life of the Eastern Diocese—and in the ministry of our Primate, Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, as he receives the sacrament of Episcopal Ordination by the hand of His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians.

The ceremonies will take place at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia. Fr. Mesrop will be one of six priests who will be consecrated as new bishops of the Armenian Church.

Also among them is Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, a longtime pastor of the Eastern Diocese (most recently of St. Sahag and St. Mesrop Church in Wynnewood, PA), who was elected as Primate of the Diocese of Iraq in 2022. Our warm good wishes and heartfelt prayers go to all the worthy clergymen who will be elevated to the rank of bishop during the October 8 ceremonies.

The Episcopal Consecration service on October 8 is planned to begin at 10 a.m. local time in Armenia (which would be 2 a.m. Sunday morning U.S. Eastern Time). Plans do not currently call for the Mother See to stream the service live, although an edited recording will be posted later to Holy Etchmiadzin’s Facebook page.

However, arrangements have been made to livestream the service over the Eastern Diocese’s Facebook page, with a recording posted afterwards. Click here to access the page and watch the service.

Finally, as previously announced, the newly ordained Bishop Mesrop will return to our Diocese to lead his first episcopal badarak at St. Vartan Cathedral in New York on Saturday, October 14, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The entire public is invited to witness this occasion at the cathedral. Plans also call for the October 14 service to be broadcast over the Internet. Click here to view a flyer for the October 14 service.

Primate Announces Diocesan-Wide “Artsakh Refugee Fund”

Last week, in a message to Diocesan faithful anticipating the worldwide “Prayer for Artsakh” on Sunday, October 1, Diocesan Primate Fr. 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.

“My friends, the events of the past weeks, building in intensity since the 2020 war, have cast a dark shadow over our community life,” wrote the Primate in his message. “It is right and proper to mourn; the reason for our grief is real, and profound…. But be assured that there will come a day to wipe away our present tears. That is what the Lord Jesus Christ taught us; it is what He is has shown us during every moment of crisis and pain in Armenian Christian history. As Scripture assures us: ‘Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning’ [Psalm 30:5].”

He concluded: “As we unite as a people to respond to this tear-filled night, let us also lay the foundation for that future dawn of joy, in our communities, our churches, our homes, and our very souls.”

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 efforts through its Ayo! crowdfunding platform. See the item below for details and links.

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

 THE FIRST SERVICE WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 12th, 2023

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.

NEW RECYCLING PROGRAM AT ST. MARY'S



There is now a blue recycling bin in the hall at St. Mary Church. Please only deposit empty plastic bottles and aluminum cans in the container. We are looking for volunteers to sign up about once a month to take the recyclables home with them after church or during the Food Festival. It involves sorting through what's in the clear recycling bag and discarding any trash that might have been put in the bag. Then, you replace the clear bag with one from the box in the kitchen marked "Recycling Bags, Not for Trash". I have created a SignUp Genius link to sign up for a slot. Please see St Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church: St. Mary's Recycling Committee (signupgenius.com). If you have any questions, please email me at rangerrox@msn.com. Thanks for your help in keeping God's good earth cleaner!

October 6-7-8 Fall Food Festival

October 15 Lecture on Nersess Shnorhali by Dr. Jesse S. Arlen -Director of Zohrab Center

October 28 Celebration of the 12th Anniversary of the Church Gift Store

October 29  Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross

October 29 Shnorhali School Talent Show

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

December 9   Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

December 10 Celebration Of the 91st Anniversary of the Church

December 24 Shnorhali School Christmas Celebration

27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?" 29 Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John's baptism-was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!" 31 They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 32But if we say, 'Of human origin' ..." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)33 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

Mark 11:27-33

26Դարձեալ Երուսաղէմ եկան. եւ մինչ նա այնտեղ, տաճարում շրջում էր, նրա մօտ եկան քահանայապետները, օրէնսգէտները եւ ծերերը 27ու ասացին նրան. «Ի՞նչ իշխանութեամբ ես դու այդ անում, եւ ո՞վ տուեց քեզ այդ իշխանութիւնը»։ 28Յիսուս պատասխան տուեց եւ ասաց նրանց. «Ես էլ ձե՛զ մի բան հարցնեմ, պատասխանեցէ՛ք ինձ, եւ ես ձեզ կ՚ասեմ, թէ ինչ իշխանութեամբ եմ այս անում։ 29Յովհաննէսի մկրտութիւնը երկնքի՞ց էր, թէ՞՝ մարդկանցից. պատասխանեցէ՛ք ինձ»։ 30Նրանք իրար միջեւ խորհում էին ու ասում. «Եթէ ասենք՝ երկնքից, մեզ կ՚ասի՝ իսկ ինչո՞ւ նրան չհաւատացիք. 31իսկ եթէ ասենք՝ մարդկանցից, ժողովրդից ենք վախենում». որովհետեւ բոլորը գիտէին, թէ Յովհաննէսը մարգարէ էր։32Պատասխան տուեցին եւ Յիսուսին ասացին՝ չգիտենք. եւ Յիսուս նրանց պատասխանեց ու ասաց. «Ես էլ ձե՛զ չեմ ասի, թէ ինչ իշխանութեամբ եմ այս անում»։

Մարկոս 11:27-33

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