www.stmaryaac.org              
April 2
  No: 14/2021
St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church 
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
Address: 4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016 
Tel: 202-363-1923
TOP STORY   
Holy Week and Easter Schedule

The coming Holy Week will proceed at St. Mary Church under strict observance of local safety regulations, with provisions being made for both in-person worships as well as online broadcasts of the various services via St. Mary YouTube Channel.
Click here to see a detailed flyer of the Holy Week services in Armenian and English.

Friday, April 2 - GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY: The Crucifixion and Burial of Christ will be marked with two services:
  • The Order of the Crucifixion of Christ 12:30 PM 
  • Order of the Entombment of the Lord 7:00 PM

Saturday, April 3 - GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY: The Evening Service and Scripture-reading will begin at 6:00 PM, followed by the Jrakalouyts (“Lamp-Lighting”) service at 7:00 PM

Sunday, April 4 - EASTER SUNDAY: The central holy day of the Christian calendar, commemorating the discovery of Christ’s empty tomb and the news of His Resurrection. Badarak will be celebrated by H. E. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian.
  • Morning Service 9:30 AM
  • Holy Badarak 10:30 AM
  • Antasdan Service 12:00 Noon

CHRIST IS RISEN FROM TEH DEAD
BLESSED IS THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

HOKEHANKIST 
REQUIEM SERVICE
SUNDAY SCHEDULE APRIL 4, 2021
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 and the holy soil of Artsakh and Armenia, now and always. Grant them strength, and lead us together through the present time of trial.
Open to us, O Lord, the door of your mercy, and make us worthy of your dwellings of light together with your saints. Receive us also, O Savior, into your mansions prepared for your saints, and inscribe our names in the Book of Life. O formidable judge, when you sit in the judgment seat, spare your creatures through the intercession and prayers of the holy ascetics. Amen
Morning Service 
9:30 AM

Holy Badarak 
10:30 AM

Celebrant
Abp. Vicken Aykazian

Ushers
All Ushers
 
Parish Council Members on Duty
All Parish Council Members

Choir
Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist
Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Reading


We thank everyone who made
Easter Lilies and Yughakin Donations
  
Click here to see the list of names
Please tune in to St. Mary YouTube channel for the upcoming services and Badaraks
PARISH NEWS
Women's Guild Palm Sunday Bake Sale

The Women’s Guild held its annual Choreg and Bake Sale event on Palm Sunday, March 28th. Orders were purchased through the St. Mary Food Festival website through Saturday, March 27th. Anyone who missed the online ordering deadline was able to purchase the delicious baked goods in the church hall after church services. Thanks to the many talented bakers of the Women’s Guild, the event was nearly sold out by the end of the day. Once again, the Women’s Guild is very grateful to all who volunteered and donated to this very successful event. The Women’s Guild would also like to acknowledge and thank Classic Bakery for its very generous donation of the delicious Gata for this event. Classic Bakery has been donating to the Women’s Guild for years and we are so very thankful for their unending support. Please be on the lookout for details for the upcoming Women’s Guild Spring Food Festival in May.
Ararat Avak Society Easter 2021,
Luncheon- Carry-Out Version
Sunday, April 4

MENU
  • Leg of Lamb over Bulgur Pilaf & Beet Salad
  • Salmon over Orzo & Sauteed Spinach 
  • Roasted Eggplant & Zucchini over Creamed Leeks, Beet Salad &
  • Bulgur Pilaf
  • Walnut Baklava Pouch 
  • Multi-Seed Cookies 
  • Homemade Armenian String Cheese
  • Choreg   
  • Homemade Cabbage & Carrot Pickles

Homemade Armenian String Cheese & Choreg are also available for purchase on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday after Church Services
April 1, 2, and 3.
Proceeds from COLORED EGGS sales to benefit children of Artsakh.
Available on Easter Sunday.
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
Proceeds will go to St. Mary’s Church
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.
DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS
Bishop Daniel’s Message for Easter: Tribulation—and Overcoming

In a message for Easter, Bishop Daniel reflects on a year that brought unimagined trials to our world—and unique, painful burdens to the Armenian people.
 
But our Lord himself was no stranger to such burdens, the Primate reminds us. On the last night of his earthly ministry, gathered with his disciples for the Last Supper, Jesus spoke like a father to his beloved children. With the specter of his crucifixion before him, Christ still tried to reassure his followers that the World—the source of pain and suffering—would not have the last word.
 
Christ's words on that occasion address our present concerns, as well. In this year’s Easter message, Bishop Daniel recalls Jesus' cryptic advice to his disciples: “In the world, you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer: I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33).
 
“It must have been hard to believe this assertion at the time," the Primate continues. "But it was true: on Easter Sunday, Christ was raised from the dead—Krisdos haryav ee merelots. And with his resurrection, he overcame a world long held hostage by sin and death. Nearly two thousand years later, all that Jesus said and did during his Last Supper remains life-giving through the Holy Badarak: we are his disciples, and we have the privilege to join our Lord at the holy table and listen to his Word.
 
“From the depths of his love, Christ has spoken to his children in many ways. As Armenian Christians, we might reflect that every decisive turn of our history has been a response to the way Jesus Christ has mystically revealed himself to us. Of course, he speaks to us still, even in this time of isolation, separation, pain, and loss—physical as well as spiritual—that we have all been enduring.”
 
Click here to read the entire message, in English and Armenian. And please share the message of Easter with your loved ones: Krisdos haryav ee merelots!
 
Above: An exquisite wood carving of Christ’s descent from the cross, from the entry of Havuts Tar monastery in Kotayk province, Armenia.
Palm Sunday at Holy Etchmiadzin
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presided over the celebration of Palm Sunday on March 28, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
 
The feast has long been marked, by Catholicos Karekin’s decree, as an occasion for a ceremonial “Blessing of Children,” and His Holiness presided over that ceremony in the courtyard of the St. Gayane Monastery, following a traditional antasdan (field-blessing) service. He bestowed palm and willow branches to the large crowd of children gathered in prayer.
 
With the Mother Cathedral still in the process of a major restoration, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the chapel of St. Gayane Monastery, with members of the Holy Etchmiadzin monastic brotherhood participating.
 
Bishop Artak Tigranian, dean of the monasteries at the Mother See, was the celebrant. His Palm Sunday homily exhorted worshippers to “accept the Lord into your hearts with blessed branches; sing ‘Hosanna’ to the Creator of heaven and earth; never forget that we will always remain loyal to the One who sacrificed his life for us, who was crucified and resurrected, who is always waiting to welcome us with open arms.”

To view photos, click here.
FAR NEWS
FAR’s “Ayo!” Launches 24-Hour Matching Campaign
The #WeAreArtsakh project, launched by the Fund for Armenian Relief’s “Ayo!” crowd-funding platform, has raised more than $85,000 to help support Armenian families from Artsakh who have been displaced from their homes due to the war, and have resettled in Armenia.
 
Now, thanks to a generous matching gift challenge, Ayo! is making a push to raise a grand total of $100,000 for this cause, through an Easter Matching Campaign. But the deadline for doubling contributions is tonight: April 1, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.
 
Ayo! has already helped thousands of our countrymen from Artsakh in meeting their most urgent needs—including food, hygiene, heating, bedding, and medication to children suffering from severe asthma. But Artsakh families still need support as they rebuild their lives in the wake of a devastating war.
 
Donations received by #WeAreArtsakh through the end of April 1 will be doubled—up to a maximum of $10,000—thanks to a matching gift from Carl and Linda Bazarian. To support #WeAreArtsakh and double you gift, click here.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
April 3
Easter Eve
April 4
Easter Sunday
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
April 24
Feast of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide
May 22
Spring Food Festival
FLYERS
ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH WED EDUCATIONAL
FUND SCHOLARSHIP
Application for WED Educational Fund Scholarship is now available at St. Mary's website www.stmaryaac.org. The application deadline for the 2021-2022 academic year is 
May 31, 2021.

Click here to access the scholarship application. If you have questions, contact the St. Mary Church office at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
PRAYERS FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR
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
BIBLE READING
Եւ կիրակի օրը, առաւօտեան, արեւածագին եկան գերեզման: Եւ ասում էին միմեանց. «Քարը գերեզմանի դռնից մեզ համար ո՞վ պիտի գլորի»: Եւ նայեցին ու տեսան, որ գերեզմանից քարը գլորուած էր. եւ այն շատ մեծ էր: Եւ ներս, գերեզման մտնելով՝ տեսան մի երիտասարդի, որ նստած էր աջ կողմը՝ սպիտակ պատմուճան հագած. եւ զարհուրեցին: Եւ նա ասաց նրանց. «Մի՛ վախեցէք, դուք Յիսուսին էք փնտրում՝ խաչուած Նազովրեցուն. նա յարութիւն առաւ, այստեղ չէ: Ահաւասիկ այն տեղը, ուր նրան դրել էին: Բայց գնացէք ասացէ՛ք նրա աշակերտներին եւ Պետրոսին, թէ՝ ահա նա ձեզնից առաջ գնում է Գալիլիա. այնտե՛ղ կը տեսնէք նրան, ինչպէս ձեզ ասել էր»: Եւ երբ այս լսեցին, ելան ու փախան գերեզմանից, քանի որ սարսափահար էին եղել. եւ ոչ ոքի բան չասացին, որովհետեւ վախենում էին: Մարկոս 16:2-8


And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; --it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid. Mark 16:2-8

MEMBERSHIP AND DUES 
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.
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 
VISIT ST. MARY GIFT SHOP
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 .
OUR MISSION
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.
SUPPORT US
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MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
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.
St. Mary Armenian Church, Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016 | stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
| 202-363-1923 | www.stmaryaac.org