St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
Address: 4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016
Tel: 202-363-1923
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Beginnings and Endings: The Sunday of the Advent
Early in our journey through Great Lent, we observed the Sunday of the Expulsion, which retold the story of mankind's first disobedience, our exile from paradise, and the beginning of humanity's long history of separation from God.
In a nice expression of symmetry and resolution, Lent concludes with the Sunday of the Advent (March 18): that is, the coming of Jesus Christ, through whom God entered human history and restored what had been lost in the exile from Eden.
The Advent calls to mind the birth and revelation of our Savior, his subsequent sacrifice for mankind, and his victory over sin and death. As the last Sunday of Lent, this day is especially devoted to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, reminding us that he is our eternal Lord and King. Just as everything once began with God, so too will everything one day end with Him.
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HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE
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SUNDAY SCHEDULE MARCH 21, 2021 |
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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
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Prayer of the Week
O Lord, send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Lord, please keep watch over your faithful people and the holy soil of Artsakh and Armenia, now and always. Grant them strength, and lead us together through the present time of trial.
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Holy Badarak
10:00 AM
Sunrise Service
11:00 AM
Celebrant
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan
PC Members on Duty
Mr.Vazrik Nishanian
Dr. Ara Avedisian
Usher
Mrs. Rouzanna Oganissian
Choir
Mrs. Edita Kalayjian
Organist
Mrs. Karine Muradyan
Bible Reading
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Please tune in to St. Mary YouTube channel for the upcoming services and Badaraks |
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St. Mary's Schedule of Holy Week Services
As Lent draws to a close, the worldwide Armenian Church looks forward to the beginning of Holy Week, culminating in the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 4.
The coming Holy Week will go forward in the Eastern Diocese under strict observance of local safety regulations, with provision for in-person worship as well as the online broadcast of services.
At St. Mary, Holy Week will be observed from March 28 through April 4.
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Lenten Services and Presentation
St. Mary Lenten Services and Presentations have begun. This year's theme is "Seven Deadly Sins". During our Badarak when we read the confession text in order to receive absolution, we mention the Seven Deadly Sins naming them one by one. We admit and say the following words: “I have sinned by the seven transgressions of the deadly sins and all their forms, namely by pride, envy, anger, laziness, covetousness, gluttony and lust. I have sinned against God”. This one verse is a quote from the Confession text used in our church. The roots of this text go to the early church eastern monastic tradition of asceticism. The uncompromising battle of desert monks against sin involved them in extensive contemplation of its nature: its origins, the process of its influences, its strange characteristics, and consequences that sin may have in our lives.
On Wednesday, March 1, Dn. Mark Krikorian talked about “Gluttony”. God has given us food, drink, and other pleasurable things to enjoy, but the Bible calls for moderation in everything. When the desire for food and drink becomes too important to us, it’s a sign that it has become an idol in our lives. Any form of idolatry is a serious offense to God.
Please join us, in person or on our YouTube channel every Wednesday at 7:00 pm during the Lenten period.
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Women's Guild Mid Lenten Luncheon
On Sunday, March 14th, the Women’s Guild held its annual Mid-Lenten Luncheon in carry-out style. The vegetarian menu offered a delicious variety that appealed to many and proved to be a favorite. Once again, the event’s success would not have been possible without our generous donors, supporters and volunteers. The Women’s Guild is so very grateful for each and every individual who was involved in this luncheon.
Whether you were a donor, a supporter, a volunteer, or perhaps all three, we THANK YOU! The Women’s Guild will be holding its Choreg and Bake Sale on Palm Sunday, March 28th. Please be on the lookout for details.
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Ararat Avak Society Easter 2021 Luncheon- Carry-Out Version
Stay tuned for Details
Sneak peek of the menu
Leg of Lamb over Bulgur Pilaf & Beet Salad; Baked salmon over orzo & sautéed spinach; Walnut Filled Baklava Pouch; Multiseed cookie
Home-made string cheese; Choreg
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Flower Sale
“Grace your table with beauty, fill your garden with colors.”
TREAT YOUR LOVED ONES THIS PALM SUNDAY, GOOD FRIDAY, EASTER SUNDAY!
IRIS VASE $12 TULIPS POT $15
Call and place your order at 202-363-1923 or reserve by sending your request at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
Click Here to Purchase
Proceeds will go to St. Mary’s Church
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St. Mary Armenian Church
Legacy Brick Drive
Buy A Brick ... Leave A Legacy
Buy a brick and leave your legacy at St. Mary Armenian Church.
When you buy a brick, it is then engraved with your specified words or message, installed in front of the church, and becomes
a memory to view for years to come.
Laser engraved bricks will replace the existing bricks in our Church plaza,
in front of our beautiful Khatchkar, and can be dedicated to those
you wish to remember, honor Loved Ones, commemorate a
special milestone like a baptism or wedding, or
acknowledge an organization or business.
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Yesterday, Today, and Always
One year ago, on the evening of March 18, 2020, the worldwide Armenian Church joined together in a Day of Prayer, at the urging of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
It was during the opening days of the global pandemic lockdown; and recalling that time after a year, one can feel its pervasive sense of urgency, uncertainty, and genuine fear.
But the prayer we offered together at the start of it all, as the united faithful of the Armenian Church, addressed those fears—and still speaks to the heart today.
“Give us your peace,” we prayed, “and strengthen our faith in you, Lord Jesus Christ so that we can overcome our fears and doubts when anxiety becomes the order of the day. Bless all those who have put themselves in harm’s way in service to us. Hold in your loving embrace those who have perished, and grant peace to their loved ones."
"In the midst of this uncertainty, we echo in faith the words of King David: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging (Psalm 46:1-3). With trust in your infinite love and compassion, we exalt and praise your holy Name, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.”
No one knew it at the time, but there would be many more days of prayer, for the world and especially for our people, in the months to come. Time and again our Primate Bishop Daniel would quote the words Jesus spoke to his followers, to reassure them in moments of doubt: “I am the Light of the world”; “Be not afraid.”
Today, many of us have been separated from friends and family, from the life of the church, for longer than we dared to imagine. We have all been diminished by the loss of loved ones, fellow citizens, and countrymen. Untold numbers of people throughout the world have been lost to sickness. Armenians bear the added burden of our losses incurred in the disastrous explosion in Beirut and—most painful of all—the casualties suffered in defense of our precious homeland of Armenia and Artsakh, during forty-four bitter days of the war.
It is far too early to assess this period or to foresee its future effects. Indeed, the world will be trying to understand it for a very long time to come. But as we grieve, and mourn, and seek healing from a year of wounds to body and spirit, we must also raise our eyes to our risen Lord in hope—as we did during those first, dark days of the pandemic.
Christ is the Light of the world—yesterday, today, and always. His light shines in every dark place, and the darkness has never overcome it. Be not afraid.
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Bishop Daniel Leads Faithful in Online Lenten Prayers
On Saturday, March 13, Bishop Daniel led viewers for the second time in a reading of the Lenten Prayer Rule—this time in Armenian. The virtual gathering went forward on the Facebook page of the Diocese’s VEMKAR digital ministries platform.
As he mentioned in the previous week’s broadcast, Bishop Daniel described the Lenten Prayer Rule as a compilation of common prayers from Scripture and Armenian Church tradition. He added that the Eastern Diocese was dedicating the season of Great Lent to prayer, and he encouraged all Armenian Church faithful to offer 10 minutes out of every day during this time to recite the Prayer Rule—and to join in the chorus of voices speaking from their hearts to God.
Click the following links to:
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WATCH Bishop Daniel read the Prayer Rule in Armenian.
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WATCH Bishop Daniel read the Prayer Rule in English.
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DOWNLOAD the text of the Lenten Prayer Rule.
Bookmark the videos on your Internet browser so you can return to them each day for the remainder of Great Lent, as you offer the prayers on your own.
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National Council of Churches Urges U.S. to Aid Armenia and Artsakh
The National Council of Church released a strong statement this week calling for humanitarian aid to Armenia and Artsakh, and the release of all captive soldiers and civilians held by Azerbaijan.
The Eastern Diocese’s Legate and Ecumenical Director, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, called the March 16 statement “an extremely important show of support by the country’s foremost ecumenical organization, which builds on the NCC’s forceful statements on behalf of Armenia and Artsakh throughout last year.”
The statement read, in part: “NCC calls for the United States to provide urgently needed humanitarian aid for the people of Artsakh who were forced to flee their homes during the unprovoked attack by Azerbaijan and Turkey that displaced more than 50,000 ethnic Armenians in the regions. We plead for the United States to actively negotiate the safe return of Armenian soldiers and citizens who are being held in violation of the ceasefire agreement signed on November 9, 2020. We also urge the broad recognition of the Armenian Genocide of the early 20th century by all political and faith leaders throughout the United States.”
Additionally, the ecumenical group laments the destruction of Armenian churches and religious monuments in Artsakh and calls on world authorities to ensure their protection and preservation.
The NCC concludes with a “call for prayers to comfort those held prisoner, their anguished families, and those displaced from their homes, so that they may all know God’s true compassion and find the strength to persevere during this time of persecution.”
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FAR Bolsters Local Art Therapy Program
With support from the Fund for Armenian Relief, the local organization “Friends of Warm Hearth,” based in Armenia’s Ararat Province, will finally be able to expand its vital art therapy program.
As the operator of a group home that houses 30 adult orphans with special needs, “Friends of Warm Hearth” (also known as the Jermik Ankyun Foundation) can now offer pottery classes to its residents. FAR’s support, thanks to its loyal partner The Mirak-Weißbach-Stiftung Foundation, was able to fund the purchase of a kiln and other necessary materials and equipment for the classes.
Last year, “Ayo!,” FAR’s crowd-funding initiative, raised funds to help renovate and furnish the building which now operates as the facility’s art therapy and activity center.
“Our residents are already holding classes and are so excited to learn new skills and be creative,” said director Alya Kirakosyan. “We have been longing to carry out this project for some time—and now it seems that our dream has come true.”
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS |
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March 24
Worship Service and Spiritual Discussion
March 20
ACYOA Church Clean Up and Get Together
March 28
Women's Guild Palm Sunday Bake Sale
March 28
Palm Sunday Celebration
April 1
Holy Thursday
April 2
Holy Friday
April 3
Easter Eve
April 4
Easter Sunday
April 1
Great and Holy Thursday & Betrayal and Passion of our Lord (Khavaroom)
April 2
Great and Holy Friday
April 3
Holy Saturday – Easter Eve
March 28; April 2; April 4
Flower Sale sponsored by Daughters of Vartan
April 4
Avak Society Easter Sunday Carry Out Luncheon
April 16
A virtual conversation and cooking demo with the authors of the book "Lavash"
Presented by Daughters of Vartan
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PRAYERS FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR |
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Anne Andonian, Agopian David, Hripsime Apkarian, Lucy Badalian, Ellen Boudreau, Araxi Bozadjian, George Doris, Mari Dogum, Anahit Greene, Antaram Grigoryan, Susana Grigoryan, Simon Gukasyan, Karen Hatchik, Charles Hoke, Tamara Hramushina, Takvur Hubi, Jo-Anna Jacob, Edward Jamgochian, Yn. Anahid Kalayjian, Brig. Gen. Al Kaehn, Meline Kaehn, Kapikian Catherine, Michael Kolenick, Haigouhi Koudousian, Anahid Ghazarian Luka, Queen Manoogian, Susanna Mkrtchyan, Virginia (Corkigian) Mule, Armen Mark Nostrant, Marie Pashayani, Robert Schlee, Grace Shahinian, Tamara Shatvoryan, Bob Semonian, Alyce Tamzarian, Mihran Tavoukjian, Hacik Ozdul, Marilyn Ziver
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34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.".
41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 sayings, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." 43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 44 "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet"'?
45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?" 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach but do not practice.4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 22:34-23:39
34Իսկ փարիսեցիները երբ լսեցին, թէ նա պապանձեցրեց սադուկեցիներին, ի մի հաւաքուեցին. 35եւ նրանցից մէկը նրան փորձելով՝ հարցրեց ու ասաց. 36«Վարդապե՛տ, Օրէնքի մէջ ո՞ր պատուիրանն է մեծ»։ 37Եւ Յիսուս նրան ասաց. «Պիտի սիրես քո Տէր Աստծուն քո ամբողջ սրտով, քո ամբողջ հոգով ու քո ամբողջ մտքով։ 38Այս է մեծը եւ առաջին պատուիրանը. 39եւ երկրորդը սրա նման է. Պիտի սիրես քո ընկերոջը, ինչպէս քո անձը։ 40Այս երկու պատուիրաններից են կախուած ամբողջ Օրէնքը եւ մարգարէները»։41Եւ երբ փարիսեցիները հաւաքուեցին, Յիսուս նրանց հարցրեց ու ասաց. 42«Ի՞նչ կարծիք ունէք Քրիստոսի մասին, ո՞ւմ որդին է»։Նրան ասացին՝ Դաւթի։ 43Յիսուս նրանց ասաց. «Իսկ Դաւիթն ինչպէ՞ս նրան Սուրբ Հոգով կոչում է Տէր եւ ասում է. 44«Տէրն իմ տիրոջն ասաց՝ նստի՛ր իմ աջ կողմում, մինչեւ որ քո թշնամիներին դնեմ քո ոտքերի տակ իբրեւ պատուանդան»։ 45Իսկ եթէ Դաւիթը նրան Տէր է կոչում, ինչպէ՞ս նրա որդին կը լինի»։ 46Եւ ոչ ոք նրան մի բառ պատասխան չկարողացաւ տալ։ Եւ այդ օրուանից ոչ ոք չէր համարձակւում նրան մի որեւէ բան հարցնել։ 23 Այն ժամանակ Յիսուս խօսեց ժողովրդին եւ իր աշակերտներին ու ասաց. 2«Մովսէսի աթոռի վրայ նստեցին օրէնսգէտներն ու փարիսեցիները. 3ամէն ինչ, որ նրանք ձեզ ասեն,արէ՛ք եւ պահեցէ՛ք, բայց մի՛ արէք ըստ նրանց գործերի, քանի որ ասում են,բայց չեն անում։ 4Ծանր ու դժուարակիր բեռներ են կապում եւ դնում մարդկանց ուսերի վրայ, բայց իրենց մատով անգամ չեն կամենում շարժել դըրանք։ 5Եւ իրենց բոլոր գործերն անում են՝ ի ցոյց մարդկանց.լայնացնում են իրենց գրապանակները եւ երկարացնում են իրենց զգեստների ծոպերը։ 6Սիրում են ընթրիքների ժամանակ պատուոյ տեղերը,ժողովարաններում՝ նախապատիւ աթոռները եւ հրապարակներում ողջոյններ առնել 7ու մարդկանցից կոչուել՝ ռաբբի, որ նշանակում է ուսուցիչ։ 8Բայց դուք որեւէ մէկին ուսուցիչ մի՛ կոչէք, որովհետեւ ձեր ուսուցիչը մէկ է, եւ դուք բոլորդ եղբայրներ էք։ 9Եւ երկրի վրայ ոչ մէկին ձեզ հայր մի՛ կոչէք, որովհետեւ մէ՛կ է ձեր Հայրը, որ երկնքում է։ 10Եւ ուսուցիչներ չկոչուէք, որովհետեւ Քրիստոս է ձեր ուսուցիչը։ 11Եւ ձեզնից մեծը ձեր սպասաւորը պիտի լինի։ 12Ով իր անձը բարձրացնում է, կխոնարհուի. եւ ով խոնարհեցնում է իր անձը, կբարձրանայ.
Մաթէոսի 22:34-23:39
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Please Stay Current with Your Membership
St. Mary Church brings us together to worship, educate, and serve, yet we need your help to sustain this mission. We call upon you to renew, or become a new member, because dues are the largest part of our church income to help keep our beloved parish doors open.
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Your Membership
MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Help us fulfill our mission to sustain and grow our ministries, worship programs and activities to strengthen our church family for generations to come. Thank you for your generosity and support. To Learn More About Membership
To Become A Member
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Please check out new Armenian products at our Gift Shop.
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 and tapestry icons, children and adult books, T-shirts, hats, bags, Armenian CDs, Armenian artwork, and much more.
The Gift Shop is open every week after Sunday Church services and by appointment. Click here to see the items available for sale in the Gift Store .
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St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
Serves the Greater Washington, DC and Baltimore communities. Our mission is to proclaim and grow together in our Apostolic Faith in Christ Jesus and to sustain our Christian Armenian identity. We celebrate our long and enduring legacy,
the beautiful traditions of our religious and national heritage, with Christian servitude, and with love and reverence towards our Church.
We invite you and welcome you to be a part of our church,worship with us, and experience the true love of Christ as we grow together as a community.
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Signup / Stay Connected with St. Mary Church E-Newsletters and Correspondence.
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St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church relies on the generosity of individual donors so that it may continue ensuring service to God and fellowship to the Armenian Community. Your support is deeply appreciated.
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St. Mary Armenian Church, Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016 | stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
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