February 9

TOP STORY   

Great Lent: Re-Discover God’s Purpose

With Great Lent beginning on Monday, February 12, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan offers his insights to help us experience this holy season to its fullest.

“Lent is, above all, a time of preparation,” says the Primate of the Eastern Diocese. “It prepares us to fully immerse ourselves in the great Mystery of the Christian faith: the profound drama of Christ’s suffering; his death on the Cross; and his miraculous, world-changing resurrection.”

Click the buttons below to watch Bishop Mesrop’s video message, in English in Armenian. You can also read the text of the Primate’s Lent message online.

Also, enrich your experience of Lent by using the online and downloadable resources for children, youth, and adults, created by the Eastern Diocese’s ministries platform, VEMKAR.

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CLICK THE BUTTONS BELOW TO VIEW & ACCESS

WATCH Bishop Mesrop’s Message

READ the Lent Message Online

FIND Lent resources for all ages

GREAT LENT

This year, the Armenian Church calendar designates Monday, February 12, as the first day of Great Lent: the season when Christians consciously turn away from worldly matters and make an effort through prayer, fasting, study, and introspection to prepare for the spiritual drama of Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

The Scriptural basis for Lent resides in the 40-day period Christ spent in the wilderness following his baptism. In the words of St. Matthew's Gospel (4:12): "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward, he was hungry."

During Lent, we are called to follow the Holy Spirit to confront our own "inner wilderness", the realm of spiritual emptiness engendered by sin, laziness, and vanity. Through prayer, fasting, Bible reading, and self-examination, we are given an opportunity to renew our commitment to God and gain the strength to work at being more loving, humble, and gentle. Click here to learn more about the Armenian Church traditions concerning Great Lent.

Please join us on Friday, January 16th, for our first service and then Every Wednesday throughout Lent.

To see the 2024 Lenten Series flyer, click here. 

February 11, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan 

Usher

Mrs. Anna Seferian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Mr. Shahnur Bostan

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:

Isaiah 58:1-14

Romans 13:11-14:25

 Matthew 6:1-21

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of:

 Samvel Baloyan (1st anniversary) 

Requested by:

Aram Baloyan, Arpi Petrosyan, and children

For the Soul of :

 Virginia Madajian

Requested by:

Alex Madajian

For the Soul of :

Gagik Ginosyan

Requested by:

Maria Stepanyan



Hospitality Table is hosted by:

 Baloyan Family

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.

   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.

   My soul is always in your hands and I place my hope in your Holy Cross, O Heavenly King. May the multitude of your saints intercede on my behalf. You who are patient with everyone, do not neglect me who trusts in you, but keep me in peace with your precious and Holy Cross. Amen.

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

Shnorhali Students Embrace Faith Through Participation in Badarak

This Sunday, the students of Shnorhali attended the Badarak. This was their last communion before the solemn and reflective period of Lent began. The service offered them a precious opportunity to engage in worship and partake in the Holy Communion, a core sacrament of our faith.

For these young minds, being part of the Badarak is more than a ritual; it's a vital connection to their spiritual heritage and a profound expression of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Badarak is a deeply spiritual experience, rich in symbolism and meaning, and attending it allows the students to immerse themselves in the traditions and beliefs that form the bedrock of their faith.

The active engagement in this sacrament enables the students to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of Christ's sacrifice. This understanding is crucial in fostering a strong, personal, and meaningful relationship with God. By participating in the Badarak, the students are not just observers but become an integral part of the living tradition, experiencing firsthand the teachings central to their faith. Participation in Badarak nurtures our youth to become worthy members of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The school anticipates that the resumption of these visits after Lent will continue to enrich and deepen the students' understanding and experience of their faith.

Prayer for Healing Service & Bible Study at St. Mary



Tuesday, February 6th, marked an evening rich in spiritual nourishment and fellowship. The weekly Prayer for Healing Service and Bible Study session offered those present a chance to deepen their faith and find solace in communal prayer. This particular gathering held a special significance as it was the final service before the commencement of the Lenten period, marking an important transition in the church's liturgical calendar.

The focus of the Bible Study was on the powerful narrative found in John Chapter 11 — the miraculous story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This miracle showcases Jesus' divine power over life and death, as well as offers deep insights into the nature of faith, hope, and the eternal love of God.

As we delved into this scripture, the importance of this miracle and its application in our lives today was thoroughly explored. It serves as an important reminder of the power of belief and the endless possibilities that faith in God can unlock. In the face of life's challenges and moments of despair, the story of Lazarus reassures believers of the transformative power of faith and the hope that lies in Jesus Christ.

Looking ahead to our spiritual journey through Lent towards Easter, the first Lenten service and spiritual discussion is scheduled for Friday, February 16th, and thereafter, these enriching gatherings will occur every Wednesday throughout the Lenten period. These sessions offer a space for reflection, learning, and spiritual growth, guiding the community through a meaningful Lenten journey.

Annual Xash Meal a Resounding Success with Record Attendance and Generous Donations

February 3rd, friends and community members gathered together for the much-anticipated annual Xash meal. With over 40 attendees gracing the event, the air was filled with a spirit of camaraderie and joyous celebration, marking the largest gathering since the inception of this event some 16 years ago.

A special note of gratitude is owed to Bagrat Bayburtian and Davit Tomyan, whose tireless efforts as organizers made this event not only possible but also incredibly successful. Their dedication to fostering community spirit and togetherness is truly commendable.

The culinary highlight of the day was, undoubtedly, the Xash prepared by Chef David. His skill and preparation shone through as there was a generous amount of the delicious dish remaining even after many had returned for seconds. But the event was not just about savoring the delectable Xash. In a heartwarming display of generosity and community spirit, the attendees raised $3,450 for the Church. This was after covering all the expenses, a significant portion of which was kindly donated by the participants themselves.

This year's annual Xash was not only a testament to our rich traditions and culinary heritage but also a shining example of the strength and generosity of our community. We look forward to future gatherings where we can once again come together to celebrate, enjoy great food, and support meaningful causes.

Upcoming Parish Assembly - February 18, 2024

St. Mary Annual Parish Assembly will take place on February 18th in the Cultural Hall, after Badarak. 

Badarak: 10 am - 11:30 am

Meeting: 12 noon

Light luncheon will be served Prior to Parish Assembly.

SHNORHALI SCHOOL LAUNCHES CHESS CLUB

Shnorhali School at St. Mary Apostolic Church is delighted to announce the establishment of its Chess Club, aligning with Armenia's esteemed chess tradition, where chess is a mandatory subject for children aged 6 and above. Recognized globally as one of the leading chess nations, Armenia has consistently produced an impressive number of chess grandmasters per capita.

Commencing its meetings on February 4th, the Chess Club will convene every week from 2 pm to 3 pm, providing an engaging platform for students to explore the intricacies of chess. Head Coaches Aren and Arman Grigorian, renowned for their expertise, will guide students through a comprehensive curriculum aimed at cultivating an appreciation for the elegance of chess and enhancing cognitive abilities. The coaches will emphasize critical thinking, teaching strategic concepts, attack moves, sacrifices, traps, and various chess tactics.

Chess, celebrated for its capacity to develop critical thinking skills and concentration, stands as an ideal sport for the holistic development of our students. Join us on this intellectual journey with Shnorhali School's Chess Club, where the pursuit of excellence converges with the strategic brilliance of chess. Embark on this enriching journey with us!

SHNORHALI SCHOOL LAUNCHES ARMENIAN FINE ARTS AND CULTURE CLUB

We are excited to introduce the Armenian Fine Arts and Culture Club, dedicated to engaging students in the rich tapestry of Armenian arts, history, music, and dance. Our club meetings are crafted to provide an interactive and immersive experience for students aged 8-15, with each session centered around a captivating theme. Throughout our gatherings, we will delve into various topics, including the lives of notable individuals of Armenian descent, significant historical events in Armenian history, and captivating Armenian religious tales. We aim to create an enriching environment that fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of Armenian culture. 

Beyond the educational component, members of our club will have the opportunity to embrace the vibrancy of Armenian traditions by learning popular dances, and songs, and creating artwork that reflects the essence of Armenian creativity. We look forward to cultivating a sense of pride and connection to Armenian heritage within our students, making each club meeting a celebration of our shared cultural identity.

VOLUNTEERS' CORNER

We want to thank Takuhi, Mari and Suzan for joining the Mass preparation team lead by Lola. We are grateful for their service!

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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!

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.

"Embrace the Future" Endowment Fund

Dear Parishioners and Friends, 

This year, we celebrate the 92nd Anniversary of the St. Mary Community and Church. "Embrace the Future" Endowment Fund was established on the occasion of the 90th anniversary and continues 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.

February 10

Ararat Avak Society St. Sarkis Luncheon

February 10th

ACYOA Bowling Party

February 11

Great Barekendan

February 11

Shnorhali School Students' Barekendan Celebration

February 14

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple

February 16, 21, 28

Lenten Worship Service and Spiritual Discussion

February 18

Annual Parish Assembly

February 25

Family Sunday (Babysitting is available)

March 6

Median Day of Lent

March 6, 13, 20

Lenten Worship Service and Spiritual Discussion

March 24

Palm Sunday

March 31

Easter Sunday

1 Զգո՛յշ եղէք, որ ձեր ողորմութիւնը մարդկանց առջեւ չանէք, որպէս թէ այն լինէր ի ցոյց նրանց. այլապէս վարձ չէք ընդունի ձեր Հօրից, որ երկնքում է: 2 Այլ երբ ողորմութիւն անես, փող մի՛ հնչեցրու քո առջեւ, ինչպէս անում են կեղծաւորները ժողովարաններում եւ հրապարակներում, որպէսզի փառաւորուեն մարդկանցից: Ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ՝ այդ իսկ է նրանց վարձը: 3 Այլ երբ դու ողորմութիւն անես, թող քո ձախ ձեռքը չիմանայ, թէ ինչ է անում քո աջը, 4 որպէսզի քո ողորմութիւնը ծածուկ լինի, եւ քո Հայրը, որ տեսնում է, ինչ որ ծածուկ է, կհատուցի քեզ յայտնապէս: 5 Եւ երբ աղօթես, չլինե՛ս կեղծաւորների նման, որոնք սիրում են ժողովարաններում եւ հրապարակների անկիւններում աղօթքի կանգնել, որպէսզի մարդկանց երեւան. ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ՝ այդ իսկ է նրանց վարձը: 6 Այլ դու, երբ աղօթես, մտի՛ր քո սենեակը, փակի՛ր քո դռները եւ ծածո՛ւկ աղօթիր քո Հօրը, եւ քո Հայրը, որ տեսնում է, ինչ որ ծածուկ է, կհատուցի քեզ յայտնապէս: 7 Աղօթք անելիս շատախօս մի՛ եղէք, ինչպէս հեթանոսները, որովհետեւ նրանք կարծում են, թէ իրենց շատ խօսքերի պատճառով լսելի կլինեն: 8 Արդ, նրանց չնմանուէ՛ք, որովհետեւ ձեր Հայրը գիտէ, թէ ինչ է ձեզ պէտք, նախքան որ դուք նրանից մի բան ուզէք: 9 Եւ արդ, դուք այսպէ՛ս աղօթեցէք. "Հա՛յր մեր, որ երկնքում ես. սուրբ թող լինի քո անունը. 10 քո թագաւորութիւնը թող գայ. քո կամքը թող լինի երկրի վրայ, ինչպէս որ երկնքում է. 11 մեր հանապազօրեայ հացը տո՛ւր մեզ այսօր. 12 եւ ների՛ր մեզ մեր յանցանքները, ինչպէս որ մենք ենք ներում նրանց, որ յանցանք են գործում մեր դէմ. 13 եւ մի՛ տար մեզ փորձութեան, այլ փրկի՛ր մեզ չարից. որովհետեւ քոնն է թագաւորութիւնը եւ զօրութիւնը եւ փառքը յաւիտեանս. ամէն": 14 Եթէ դուք մարդկանց ներէք իրենց յանցանքները, ձեր երկնաւոր Հայրն էլ ձեզ կների: 15 Իսկ եթէ դուք մարդկանց չներէք իրենց յանցանքները, ձեր Հայրն էլ ձեզ չի ների ձեր յանցանքները: 16 Երբ ծոմ պահէք, տրտմերես մի՛ եղէք կեղծաւորների նման, որոնք իրենց երեսները այլանդակում են, որպէսզի մարդկանց այնպէս երեւան, թէ ծոմ են պահում. ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ՝ այդ իսկ է նրանց վարձը: 17 Այլ երբ դու ծոմ պահես, օծի՛ր քո գլուխը եւ լուա՛ քո երեսը, 18 որպէսզի չերեւաս մարդկանց որպէս ծոմ պահող, այլ քո Հօրը՝ գաղտնաբար. եւ քո Հայրը, որ տեսնում է, ինչ որ ծածուկ է, կհատուցի քեզ: 19 Գանձեր մի՛ դիզէք ձեզ համար երկրի վրայ, ուր ցեց եւ ժանգ ոչնչացնում են, եւ ուր գողերը պատերն են ծակում ու գողանում, 20 այլ գանձե՛ր դիզեցէք ձեզ համար երկնքում, որտեղ ո՛չ ցեց եւ ո՛չ ժանգ չեն ոչնչացնում, եւ ո՛չ էլ գողերը պատերն են ծակում ու գողանում. 21 քանի որ ուր ձեր գանձերն են, այնտեղ եւ ձեր սրտերը կլինեն: 

Մատթեոսի 6:1-21

"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. "Thus when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where month and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither month nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Matthew 6:1-21

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