February 2

TOP STORY   

Outnumbered, Defeated—But Never Forgotten

Every year on the Thursday preceding Great Lent, Armenians throughout the world commemorate the Battle of Avarayr (A.D. 451). The armed forces of Armenia confronted the Persian Empire, which aimed to convert the world's first Christian nation to Zoroastrianism.

Armenia’s soldiers fighting under the leadership of St. Vartan Mamigonian are known as the Vartanank, and their day of remembrance is Vartanantz. We’ll mark it next week, on February 8.

On the field of Avarayr, outnumbered Armenian fighters faced a mighty Persian army. St. Vartan and his companions saw a military defeat, but their unyielding commitment to defend their faith ultimately thwarted the Persians, and ensured that Christianity would endure in Armenia.

Click here to read more about the Battle of Avarayr on our website, or download the Diocese’s iBook for an interactive introduction to St. Vartan’s historic campaign.

February 4, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Guest Celebrant

Very Rev. Fr. Mamikon Kiledjian

Usher

Mrs. Rouzanna Oganissian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Mrs. Catherine Sahakian

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Isaiah 63:18-64.12

 Titus 1:1-11

John 7:37-52

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of:

Dr. Nuran Akdemir Vahanian (40 days)

Requested by:

Christy Vahanian, Asanet and Berc Hacikoglu, Agacan Tufeckgian, Sona and Zaven Bakirci and Families

For the Soul of :

Dr. Suhail Khouri (2nd anniversary)

Requested by:

Maha Kenderian Kouri, Zaidoon Kouri, and Family 

For the Soul of :

Dr. Paul Murad (2nd anniversary)

Requested by:

Lucy, Gregory & Andrea Murad 



Hospitality Table is hosted by:

 Vahanian, Hacikoglu, Tufeckgian, & Bakirci Families

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

Deacons' Training With Fr. Mamikon Kiledjian

We had the great pleasure last Sunday of hosting the Very Rev. Fr. Mamikon Kiledjian, our Diocesan Instructor of Sacred Music. With his rich liturgical and academic background, including Bachelor's and Master of Music degrees in Organ Performance from the Manhattan School of Music in NYC, Fr. Mamikon brought an invaluable depth of knowledge to our altar servers.

His role in preparing our altar servers for their upcoming ordination to the rank of Deacon or Sub-Deacon, set for December 8, 2024, has been a cornerstone of their journey. This preparation kicked off last Saturday when Fr. Mamikon evaluated the candidates' knowledge and conducted the initial training session. Additionally, his celebration of the Badarak as our guest on Sunday was a spiritually enriching experience for us all.

While many of Fr. Mamikon's training sessions will be conducted via Zoom, our altar servers will also benefit from the in-person guidance of Der Hovsep.

As we eagerly anticipate the ordination ceremony, under the auspices of our Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, we are deeply grateful for the profound impact of Fr. Mamikon’s guidance. His extensive education and expertise in liturgy and spirituality are significantly enriching the learning experience of our altar servers.

Our heartfelt appreciation extends to Hayr Soorp and everyone involved in this sacred journey. We are united in prayer, seeking God’s blessings and grace to guide and prepare our candidates for their holy calling.

Prayer for Healing Service & Bible Study at St. Mary



On Tuesday, January 30, the St. Mary members gathered in a spirit of fellowship and faith for their weekly Healing Service and Bible Study session. The evening began with the Prayer of Healing, a profound moment where those who were present sought divine intervention and comfort for those in need of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.

Following this, the Bible study centered on a thought-provoking discussion of Luke 17:11-19, a passage that narrates the story of Jesus healing ten lepers.

This passage in Luke is particularly interesting and relevant in today's context. It tells of ten lepers who, upon being healed by Jesus, go their separate ways, with only one returning to express gratitude. This story underlines the profound importance of gratitude in our daily lives. In a world where we are often preoccupied with our challenges and ambitions, this passage serves as a gentle reminder to acknowledge and appreciate the blessings we receive, however small they may seem. The act of the lone leper returning to thank Jesus highlights the significance of recognizing the sources of our healing and help, be it divine intervention, the support of community, or the love of family and friends.

This story encourages us to cultivate a habit of gratitude, recognizing the miracles in our lives, and acknowledging those who help us along our journey.

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.

“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

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.

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

St. Vartan Cathedral Hosts a Prayer for Christian Unity

Distinguished church leaders from throughout New York City gathered at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Thursday evening, January 25, for the city’s annual “Prayer Service for Christian Unity.”

The Eastern Diocese hosted this year’s gathering as part of its celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan welcomed guests from more than a dozen Christian traditions—Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox—to the Diocese’s mother cathedral, which was enveloped in scaffolding as it undergoes an exterior restoration.

Inside, a spirit of warm collegiality prevailed among the clergy and faithful of various churches—many of them longtime friends of the Armenian cathedral, others visiting for the first time.

Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church delivered a powerful homily based on the theme for this year’s Unity service, drawn from the Gospel of Luke: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul; with all your strength, and all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself” (Lk 10:27). Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, offered closing remarks and an uplifting benediction.

Among the other dignitaries in attendance were Archbishop Demetrios (Greek Orthodox Church), Archbishop Mor Dionysius John Kawak (Syriac Orthodox Church), Bishop David (Coptic Orthodox Church), Bishop Paul Egensteiner (Evangelical Lutheran Church), Fr. Chad Hatfield (representing Metropolitan Tikhon), Fr. Sahag Yemishian (representing Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian), Rev. Julie Hoplamazian (representing Bishop Matthew Heyd), Rev. Nicolas Kazarian (representing Archbishop Elpidophoros)—and other brothers and sisters from the broad range of Christian traditions in the metropolitan area.

Bishop Mesrop set a tone of harmony and hope in his welcoming words. “On top of the cathedral—hidden from view now, but still pulsing with power—is the Cross: the great symbol of our Unity as Christians, and of God’s love,” he said. “Grounded in the earth, but reaching up to Heaven; extending its arms out to each side, as if to join hands with our neighbors, the Cross is the very image of the beautiful Gospel verse that is our theme for tonight…. Christian unity is the foundation for—and indeed the road to—the unity of all mankind. Without the one, we cannot even hope for the other.”

A reception in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium followed the service. The event was part of the annual “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,” which has been a feature of New York’s religious life since 1908.

Click the following links to:

• WATCH a recording of the service on the cathedral’s Facebook page.
• VIEW a gallery of photos by photographer Harout Barsoumian.
• READ more on the Eastern Diocese’s website.

A Mission of Mercy to Artsakh Refugees

Last fall, as the crushing realities involving Artsakh were beginning to dawn on Armenians across the world, a sermon by Fr. Vasken Kouzouian inspired the faithful of Holy Trinity Church (Cambridge, MA) with a desire to help the Armenian families displaced from their holy, historic homeland.

In the months that followed, the parish took steps to fulfill its promise, by organizing a clothing drive to help the refugees endure the bitter winter. Volunteers collected and sorted through thousands of pieces of clothing—and this month, Fr. Vasken and Yn. Arpi Kouzouian landed in Armenia to place these much-needed items into the hands of those in need.

Der Vasken and Yn. Arpi were joined by Boghos and Shaké Derderian on their travels to villages around Armenia, where families from Artsakh have been settling. From the very first encounter, they heard emotional stories from people who had left their homes and homeland with little more than the clothes on their backs.

“We had to leave everything behind,” was a frequent refrain, punctuating heartrending stories of forced evacuation; of lost loved ones; of transporting bedridden and disabled elders through danger to cross the border.

But through all the stories of suffering was an underlying determination to survive as Armenians. For the visitors from Holy Trinity, it was a poignant reminder of why the community had come together to collect warm clothing, and why each item in the 117 boxes they brought would be a meaningful gift to another living soul.

Click the following links to read an extensive article and view photos.

* * *

During this grave time for our sisters and brothers of Artsakh, many parishes like Holy Trinity have undertaken efforts to aid the refugees. Check with your local parish for details.

Also, the Eastern Diocese has an ongoing “Artsakh Refugee Fund,” announced by our Primate Bishop Mesrop last fall. Click here to donate now, using the Diocese’s secure server (select “Artsakh Refugee Fund” from the dropdown menu).

Our Diocese’s Fund for Armenian Relief is likewise doing urgently-needed work to help the refugee population, including on-the-ground, person-to-person efforts through its Ayo! crowdfunding platform. Please lend a helping hand to all these efforts, and keep our countrymen in your prayers.

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 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.

February 10

Ararat Avak Society St. Sarkis Luncheon

February 10th

ACYOA Bowling Party

February 11

Great Barekendan

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple

February 11

Shnorhali School Students' Barekendan Celebration

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

37 Մեծ տօնի վերջին օրը Յիսուս կանգնած էր եւ աղաղակում էր՝ ասելով. «Եթէ մէկը ծարաւ է, թող ինձ մօտ գայ եւ խմի: 38 Ով ինձ հաւատում է, ինչպէս Գիրքն է ասում, նրա ներսից կենդանի ջրերի գետեր պիտի բխեն»: 39 Նա այս ասում էր Հոգու մասին, որին ընդունելու էին իրեն հաւատացողները. քանի որ Հոգին դեռեւս չկար, որովհետեւ Յիսուս դեռ փառաւորուած չէր: 40 Ժողովրդից ոմանք, երբ լսում էին այս խօսքերը, ասում էին. «Սա է ճշմարիտ մարգարէն». 41 ուրիշներն ասում էին. «Սա է Քրիստոսը». իսկ դեռ ուրիշներ ասում էին. «Մի՞թէ Քրիստոս Գալիլիայից է գալու. 42 չէ՞ որ Գիրքն ասում է, թէ Քրիստոս գալու է Դաւթի սերնդից եւ Բեթղեհէմ գիւղից, որտեղից Դաւիթն էր»: 43 Եւ ժողովրդի մէջ նրա պատճառով պառակտում եղաւ: 44 Եւ նրանցից ոմանք ուզեցին բռնել նրան, բայց ոչ ոք նրա վրայ ձեռք չդրեց: 45 Իսկ սպասաւորները վերադարձան քահանայապետների եւ փարիսեցիների մօտ. եւ սրանք նրանց ասացին. «Ինչո՞ւ նրան այստեղ չբերեցիք»: 46 Սպասաւորները պատասխանեցին ու ասացին. «Ոչ մի մարդ երբեք այնպէս չի խօսել, ինչպէս այն մարդը»: 47 Փարիսեցիներն ասացին. «Մի՞թէ դուք էլ էք մոլորուել: 48 Մի՞թէ իշխանաւորներից կամ փարիսեցիներից որեւէ մէկը հաւատաց նրան, 49 բացի այն խաժամուժ ամբոխից, որ օրէնք չգիտէ եւ նզովեալ է»: 50 Նիկոդեմոսը, որ նախապէս գիշերով եկել էր նրա մօտ եւ նրանցից մէկն էր, նրանց ասաց. 51 «Մի՞թէ մեր օրէնքը դատապարտում է մարդուն, եթէ նախ նրանից լսած եւ կամ իմացած չլինի, թէ ինչ է գործել նա»: 52 Նրան պատասխանեցին ու ասացին. «Մի՞թէ դու էլ Գալիլիայից ես. քննի՛ր ու տե՛ս, որ Գալիլիայից մարգարէ դուրս չի գալիս»: Հովհաննես 7:37-52

37 On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38 and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit because Jesus was not yet glorified.40 When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, “This is really the prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Messiah.”But some asked, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? 42 Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” 43 So there was a division in the crowd because of him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.45 Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not arrest him?” 46 The police answered, “Never has anyone spoken like this!” 47 Then the Pharisees replied, “Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? 48 Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.” 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, 51 “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?” 52 They replied, “Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.” John 7:37-52

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