November 1

TOP STORY   

Feast of All Saints

On Saturday, November 2, the worldwide Armenian Church will celebrate the Feast of All Saints - the old and the new, the known and the unknown

By this feast, the Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the memory of all those saints, whose names are not included in the Church Calendar, but whose names are registered in the sacred book of the Heavenly Kingdom.

Many people have been subjected to severe torments and have been martyred during the wars for the sake of faith. Unfortunately, we do not know their names. So, the Church has established this feast in the Church Calendar in order to commemorate their memory. They are persons who shed their blood for the sake of Christ and His Church.

Click here to read a prayer on the occasion of the Feast of All Saints.

November 3, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Sara Arabian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Catherine Sahakian

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Isaiah 22:15-24

Ephesians 1:1-14

Luke 8:17-21

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

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 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 our God, turn not your face from me! O beneficent Lord, I beseech you, be my helper.

   O Lord, despise me not and forsake me not, O God, my Savior. 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

Special Prayer Service for Artsakh Armenians – Join Us in Solidarity

We invite all parishioners, families, and friends to join us in a heartfelt prayer service dedicated to the Artsakh Armenians who remain in captivity. This gathering is an opportunity to unite as a community, offering hope, strength, and support through collective prayer for those facing unimaginable hardship and uncertainty. Together, let us lift our voices in solidarity, shining a light on their struggle and advocating for their freedom.

In these challenging times, our prayers and faith become beacons of hope. Let us stand as one, embodying the spirit of compassion and resilience that defines our community. Through our shared prayer, we can provide strength and comfort to those in need, trusting that, as Psalm 34:17 reminds us, "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."

Date: Sunday, November 10th

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: St. Mary’s Armenian Church, 4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016

Please consider joining this special service to show our unwavering support. For more information, feel free to reach out via email at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com.

Let us come together as one family of faith, bound by love and compassion, to lift up those in need.

The Women's Guild is excited to share that it will hold a Thanksgiving Bake Sale on Sunday, Nov. 24th from 1 pm-3 pm. Drop by for your favorite Armenian Holiday breads, cookies, and treats!

If you would like to contribute by donating items, please use the following link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA4A82FA6F5C25-fall#/

All contributions can be dropped off at the Church on Sat Nov. 23 between 10 am - 1 pm or on Sun Nov. 24th before 11 am. For questions, please email stmarywgdc@gmail.com

An Insightful Lecture by Julia Hintlian on “Parallel Faiths and Fates."

On Sunday, October 27, St. Mary Armenian Church hosted an enriching lecture titled Parallel Faiths and Fates: Armenians and Syriacs in Their Ancestral Lands, Past and Present, presented by Julia Hintlian, a doctoral student from Harvard University specializing in the History of Christianity. The event followed the Badarak, drawing a well-engaged audience to the Church Social Hall.

Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan introduced Julia Hintlian, highlighting her extensive academic background and dedication to studying late ancient Christian traditions. Julia’s lecture examined the intertwined histories of the Armenian and Syriac communities, emphasizing their shared cultural heritage and the enduring resilience of these communities in the face of historical and contemporary challenges in their ancestral lands.

Julia also shared a personal narrative from her summer trip to these ancestral lands once densely populated by Armenians and Syriacs. Her journey included visits to sacred sites that still survive, offering a glimpse into the ancient spiritual heritage preserved there. She spoke movingly about encountering the few remaining Armenian and Syriac families who continue to live in these regions, steadfastly maintaining their faith and traditions despite immense challenges. Her reflections on the trip added a vivid and heartfelt dimension to the lecture, bringing history to life and illustrating the resilience of these communities.

This well-attended lecture is one of several planned for this year, where scholars from our community and beyond are invited to share their knowledge and edify attendees. St. Mary remains committed to fostering a vibrant intellectual and cultural environment, enriching our understanding of history, faith, and heritage.

Celebration of the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross at St. Mary

On Sunday, October 27, St. Mary Armenian Church celebrated the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross, commemorating the 4th-century finding of the True Cross by Queen Helena. The Badarak was celebrated by Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan and presided over by Archbishop Vicken Aykazian.

Fr. Hovsep, in his sermon, reflected on the spiritual depth of the feast. He emphasized that the discovery of the Cross is not only a historical milestone but also a reminder of the enduring power of God’s love and presence in the lives of believers. As he shared, the Cross represents God’s immeasurable love, a victory over sin and despair, and a path leading believers from darkness to light. He encouraged the attendees to view the Cross as a symbol of hope and healing, and to carry its message into daily life through acts of kindness, gratitude, and love. Just as Queen Helena’s faith led her to the True Cross, he reminded everyone that the spirit of discovery can guide them to find Christ’s presence in everyday moments.

The Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross stands as a timeless reminder for all to seek and embrace the power of the Cross in their lives.

Twenty-Five Years on the Pontifical Throne

The coming days will mark the 25th 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 across the world 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 3.

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.

Five years ago, Catholicos Karekin discouraged holding a grand celebration of his 20th anniversary while the Mother Cathedral was undergoing its restoration. In subsequent years, with our homeland at war and in crisis, his entire attention was focused on the well-being of our people. Yet even in such times, Catholicos Karekin has been leading our church forward with spiritual strength and hope, as events of recent weeks—the Blessing of the Holy Muron and the re-opening of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin—surely testify.

His 25th year on the pontifical throne is a blessed opportunity for all of us, the Armenian faithful, to unite in grateful 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.

World Council of Churches to Join Prayer to Release the Captives

As reported previously, Armenian faithful around the world will join their voices on Sunday, November 10, in a special prayer service for the Artsakh Armenians who are still being held captive in Azerbaijan—one year after the ethnic cleansing of our precious Artsakh, and four years after the surprise attack and subsequent war against our people there.

At the request of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Armenian churches worldwide—from the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin to every local parish—will conduct prayer services for the liberation of the Armenian captives.

This week, in response to Catholicos Karekin II’s call, the World Council of Churches (WCC) invited its 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 war hostages.

Click the link to read more on the WCC website.

Faithful and friends of the Eastern Diocese will also join in the prayer at their local parishes.

Please join our entire faith community in prayer on Sunday, November 10. And continue to offer personal prayers for our countrymen being held in captivity, and for all our beleaguered people of Artsakh and Armenia.

Welcome to the New Armenian Church of the Holy Archangels!

In a weekend of sacred ceremonies and splendid pageantry, the Eastern Diocese welcomed a new Armenian Church into the world.

Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan led the consecration of the former Armenian Church of Hye Pointe in Haverhill, MA, giving it a new name to match the majestic beauty of the sanctuary: the Armenian Church of the Holy Archangels St. Michael and St. Gabriel.

The occasion was the long-awaited fulfillment of years of planning and effort on the part of the parish faithful. Bishop Mesrop recalled the church’s unique history in his sermon during the consecration service on Saturday, October 26.

“This church began as a vision that started with the faithful members of two historic, elder parishes: Holy Cross Church of Lawrence, and St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Haverhill,” he said. “They came together in 2002 and created the first merged Armenian Church in North America. And this story of two communities joining together in the service of God was in my prayers as I asked God for inspiration in choosing a name for this new church.”

“The answer I received,” he said, “was to consecrate the church in the name of the Holy Archangels, Sts. Michael and Gabriel—two heavenly messengers, each bearing a special message of God’s power and compassion.”

The consecration service was part of a weekend of sacred and celebratory events planned by the community for October 25 through 27. It included a Friday night “opening of doors” service, the consecration and celebratory banquet on Saturday, and the church’s inaugural Divine Liturgy on Sunday.

Clergy from across the Diocese participated in the ceremonies, as did several distinguished visitors, including the Primate of the United Kingdom, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan.

During both the consecration service and the banquet that followed in the church’s beautifully appointed hall, Bishop Mesrop paid special tribute to a number of people, including parish pastor Fr. Vart Gyozalyan; benefactors Michael Ohanian and daughter Debbie Ohanian; the long-serving members of the Building Committee; the 16 consecration godparents, the donors, and countless volunteers whose faith and determination brought the event to fruition.

Click the following links to:

• READ MORE about the consecration service.
• VIEW PHOTOS of the ceremonies and banquet.
• WATCH A VIDEO DIGEST of the services.

A wealth of video footage, photos, and information is available on the parish Facebook page and parish website.

Most of all, congratulations to the faithful of the new Armenian Church of the Holy Archangels for this beautiful, uplifting milestone in their community life.

FAR NEWS

FAR Helps an Armenian Orchard Grow

​With support from the Fund for Armenian Relief, Vardan Tsaturyan has dramatically expanded his orchard in the Armenian border village of Paravakar. Working with FAR’s “Start Your Business” initiative, Vardan has been able to increase his peach and persimmon groves tenfold—growing from 50 trees to 500.

Previously, Vardan’s farming efforts were limited because he had to manually irrigate his trees. But Vardan now enjoys a sustainable irrigation system that keeps his orchard flourishing. This autumn, the father of three celebrated his first harvest after installing the transformative irrigation technology. In just a few years, he anticipates yielding between 20 and 30 kilograms of fruit per tree—totaling about one ton.

Vardan’s success is one of many emerging from Armenia’s Berd region. Thanks to the Mardigian Family Foundation-funded “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty in Tavush” program, FAR is empowering aspiring entrepreneurs like Vardan to achieve economic independence and build brighter futures.

Learn more on FAR’s blog.

Join the St Mary Teen Youth Group

The ACYOA Juniors, for teens from 13 to 18 years of age (12-year-olds to participate in local events), provides a vehicle through which young people may express themselves and demonstrate their abilities, skills, interests, concerns, and faith; developing programs through which the young people may participate, receive information, experience meaningful relationships, feel a sense of belonging, and gain exposure to the Armenian Christian faith and cultural heritage. 

Typically the group holds a monthly membership meeting (after church with pizza in the office) to plan events, socialize, and hear a brief speaker. Then the teens participate in a service project, party, or activity (bowling, skating, volleyball) once a month. The teens also travel to Eastern Diocese sports weekend events once or twice a year.  

If you have a teen who might be interested please email rebeccaBagdasarian@yahoo.com with your na

Register Now for the ACYOA Seniors National Fall Retreat

Online registration is now open for the ACYOA Seniors National Fall Retreat—scheduled to take place over the weekend of November 8-10, at Camp Washington in Lakeside, CT.

All young adults, 18 years and older, are encouraged to participate in this weekend-long program hosted by the ACYOA Central Council. Click the following links to download a Fact Sheet with background on the retreat (including arrival and departure information), and to view a flyer.

To field remaining questions, feel free to contact Jennifer Morris at jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org, or the ACYOA Central Council at acyoacc@gmail.com.

Click here to register online now. A confirmation e-mail containing further details will be sent to all registrants. The registration deadline is Friday, October 25.

Graduate Students: Apply for the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship

Beginning in 2022, the Eastern Diocese became one of a few Armenian institutions authorized to nominate one candidate per year for the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Graduate Fellowship.

Through a generous bequest at her death, Mrs. Liebmann—daughter of the great early 20th-century Armenian writer and statesman Krikor Zohrab—created a perpetual charitable trust for the purpose of funding advanced education and graduate study grants in the United States of America.

Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Graduate Fellowships are to be awarded only to candidates who have outstanding undergraduate records, have demonstrated a need for financial assistance, are citizens of the United States of America, are enrolled in accredited colleges and universities in the United States, and have received baccalaureate degrees. The trustees welcome applications from students of all national origins who are U.S. citizens.

Qualified applicants should send materials to Dr. Jesse Arlen, director of the Eastern Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center. Click the link (and scroll down) for information and to download application forms.

The application deadline is December 15, 2024. Applicants will be notified of decisions in June 2025. Please direct any and all inquiries to Dr. Arlen at zohrabcenter@armeniandiocese.org.

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

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 10 Prayer for the release of the Artsakh captives

November 10 Talent Show at 2 PM by Shnorhali School Students

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

 17 Որովհետեւ չկայ գաղտնիք մը՝ որ բացայայտ պիտի չըլլայ, ո՛չ ալ պահուած բան մը՝ որ պիտի չգիտցուի ու երեւան չելլէ: 18 Ուրեմն զգուշացէ՛ք թէ ի՛նչպէս կը լսէք. որովհետեւ ո՛վ որ ունի՝ պիտի տրուի անոր, իսկ ո՛վ որ չունի՝ անկէ պիտի առնուի նոյնիսկ ինչ որ ինք կը կարծէ թէ ունի»: 19 Անոր մայրն ու եղբայրները եկան իրեն, բայց բազմութենէն չէին կրնար մօտենալ իրեն: 20 Անոր լուր տուին՝ ըսելով. «Քու մայրդ ու եղբայրներդ դուրսը կայնած են եւ կ՚ուզեն տեսնել քեզ»: 21 Ան ալ պատասխանեց անոնց. «Իմ մայրս ու եղբայրներս անո՛նք են, որ կը լսեն Աստուծոյ խօսքը եւ կը գործադրեն զայն»:

(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.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

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