April 5

TOP STORY   

Holy Week and Easter Sunday at St. Mary Church

The Holy Week and Easter celebrations at St. Mary Chruch commenced on March 24 with Palm Sunday, ushering in Holy Week with a celebration of our Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This year, the ceremony was infused with special significance, as Der Hovsep led the Badarak, blessing the community's children in a heartfelt expression of faith and hope for the future. The day was further highlighted by the installation service for the newly elected ACYOA members, which was succeeded by a luncheon and program in the church hall.

As the week progressed, the observance of Great and Holy Thursday on March 28 deeply moved the congregation. The day's events, including the Holy Badarak and the Washing of the Feet, vividly recalled the Last Supper and Jesus's act of humble service. The evening's service of Khavaroom brought the community together in solemn remembrance of the Lord's betrayal and passion.

Great and Holy Friday, observed on March 29, offered a poignant reflection on the Crucifixion and Entombment of Christ. The ceremonies provided a moment of contemplation on the profound sacrifice made for humanity's redemption.

The anticipation built until Easter Eve, when the community gathered for Vespers and Scriptural readings by the Shnorhali School students, culminating in the Jragalouits Badarak. This service, held on March 30, heralded the dawn of Easter Sunday, signifying the light of Christ dispelling the darkness of the world.

Easter Sunday, celebrated on March 31, was a day of joyous exultation, marking the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Morning Service and Badarak, celebrated by Der Hovsep, were especially uplifting, with a distinguished presence of Abp. Voskan Kalpakian from the Holy Etchmiadzin, who delivered the day's message, adding a special dimension to the celebration. The choir members and deacons enriched the service, culminating in the Antastan service, which symbolized the spread of Christ's resurrection light to all corners of the world.

The spirit of generosity and community was palpable throughout the celebrations, with heartfelt thanks extended to Mrs. Jermen Hallajian, Mrs. Asanet Hacikoglu, Mrs. Hermine Khatchatoorian, Ms. Sara Arabian and Mis. Patricia Yeghisian for their contributions that added beauty and grace to the observances. Additionally, the Stepanyan, Barseghyan, McClure, and Guiragossian families were recognized for their efforts in preparing the church for this sacred season.

St. Mary Parish Council and Der Hayr would like to thank all those who contributed towards the Easter Lilies and Yughakin Donations and supported our church during this difficult time.

Experience the Soul of Armenia: Vahan Artsruni & Nelly Manukyan 

Satutday, April 13th, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Pre-concert reception - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

St. Mary Armenian Church

4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016

EVENT DETAILS

Poetry and music have been intertwined since time immemorial. In the millennia-old Armenian history, the origin of this rich cultural legacy dates to the fifth century CE and beyond. 



On Saturday, April 13th at 7 p.m., St. Mary Armenian Chruch will host Vahan Artsruni (guitar) and Nelly Manukyan (flute). The event is dedicated to the 155th anniversary of Komitas Vardapet, the great Armenian musicologist, composer, arranger and choirmaster.

Born in Yerevan, Vahan Artsruni is a renowned Armenian singer and composer known for his innovative approach to music. He is a multifaceted artist known for his contributions to Armenian and Assyrian spiritual music, theater and cinema (enjoy Vahan's performance here). 

Artsruni explores a wide range of musical styles, from chamber and alt-rock to electronic, symphonic, choir, film and theater compositions. His notable work includes the Komitas: Ten Revelations song cycle based on Komitas’ poetry, arrangements of sacred Assyrian Church of the East music and reinterpretations of Armenian monophonic hymns by St. Mesrop Mashtots, an Armenian linguist, composer, theologian, statesman and hymnologist, best known for inventing the Armenian alphabet (c. 404-406 CE).

Nelly Manukyan, born in Armenia to a musical family, is a flute player, improviser and pianist. The range of her improvisational skill has no boundaries, including all known styles of jazz, rock music and ethno-jazz projects (click here to listen to Nelly's performance)

April 7, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan 

Usher

Rouzanna Oganissian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Artur Sivaslian

Choir

Dr. Hratch Semerjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:

Acts 5:34-6.7

Jas 3:1-12

 John 1:1-17

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of:

Nina Sarkissian Mesrop 

Requested by:

Sarkissian Nellie, Diana and families, Arik Mesrop, Peggy and Danny Mesrop

For the Soul of:

Shunt Apram Nishanian (40 days)

Gharapet Carro Nishanian (11 years)

Requested by:

 Azad, Vazrik, Artemis, Verooyer Nishanians 

Hospitality Table is Hosted by:

The Nishanian 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

You who created the visible light separated the day and night, shed forth on us, O Lord, by night the rays of spiritual light.

Give us at all times the shadow of your protecting hand, that by day and by night we may give you glory incessantly. Amen.

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

SHNORHALI SCHOOL EMBRACES THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

On the Eve of the Feast of the Resurrection, on March 30th, the halls of St. Mary resonated with the spirit of devotion as Shnorhali School students gathered for a deeply meaningful and enlightening event. Guided by the wisdom of our esteemed Pastor Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan and the stewardship of Religious Education Coordinator Nicolette Blackwell, students embarked on a journey of enlightenment through the teachings of Easter Symbols meanings and the sacred traditions of Christianity. Through insightful teachings, they discovered that in the Resurrection lies the redemption of humanity and the eternal hope of life everlasting.

Students joyfully adorned Easter eggs, each one a poignant symbol of new beginnings and spiritual renewal. As the evening unfolded, they embraced the solemnity of Holy Liturgy, where the timeless verses of scripture resonated deeply, guiding them on their spiritual journey with unwavering clarity and purpose. Students participated in the cherished Egg-fight tradition with our Pastor after the Holy Patarag.

This sacred and joyous occasion of celebrating Easter together and forging lasting memories not only deepened our students' understanding of our holy traditions but also strengthened their connection to our Church, culture, and heritage. Beyond its spiritual significance, it acted as a catalyst for the formation of enduring bonds among our students, fostering unity in faith and camaraderie.



In commemorating the Resurrection, Shnorhali School not only celebrates the triumph of faith but also nurtures the spiritual growth and cultural identity of our students, instilling within them the timeless values of love, compassion, and reverence for the divine.

Honoring Dr. Jack Kooyoomjian: A Beacon of Environmental Excellence

We're proud to announce that our very own Dr. Jack Kooyoomjian has been awarded the 2024 National Environmental Achievement Award by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). This prestigious recognition has been presented to Dr. Kooyoomjian for his enduring commitment and significant contributions to environmental protection.

As a dedicated member of the Prince William County Service Authority Board since 1995, Dr. Kooyoomjian has played a pivotal role in promoting water system reliability, water reclamation, and environmental stewardship, setting a national standard of excellence.

Though unable to attend, the award was graciously accepted on his behalf by Calvin D. Farr, Jr., General Manager/CEO of the Service Authority, at the NACWA Winter Conference in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Kooyoomjian's career is marked by notable achievements, including critical work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that contributed to the passage of key environmental legislation. His efforts have consistently focused on safeguarding water quality and public health.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kooyoomjian for this well-deserved honor and in celebrating his monumental impact on our community and the environment at large.

St. Mary Annual Armenian Spring Food Festival

Dear Parishioners,



St. Mary is preparing for its 2024 Spring Food Festival, and we are seeking your participation. The workshops are an opportunity to learn how to make traditional Armenian food and learn from our culinary experts in these classic dishes.

Please click on the link below to complete the volunteer form, if you would like to participate in any of the workshops. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

The Annunciation: “With God, Nothing is Impossible”

On Sunday, April 7, the Armenian Church will celebrate the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary: one of five feasts devoted to the blessed mother of Jesus Christ. It concerns the defining event of Mary’s life: her realization that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of His Son.

The announcement came by way of the angel Gabriel, and it troubled Mary at first. But Gabriel tried to allay her fears: “Behold!” he told her. “You shall conceive and bring forth a son, and call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and be called the Son of the Highest … and of his kingdom, there shall be no end.”

In her youthful sweetness and innocence, Mary asked the angel how this could ever come to pass. Gabriel’s reply—“With God, nothing shall be impossible”—is one of our greatest expressions of Christian hope.

And Mary’s reply is equally wonderful, as an example for all people who sense God’s hand in their lives: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be unto me according to thy word.”

Nine months later, her son was born—and with him, the hope of the world’s redemption. It is worth noting that the Armenian Church’s fixed date for the Annunciation, April 7, comes exactly nine months before the Armenian Church’s fixed date for the celebration of Christmas, January 6.

The entire touching story is told at Luke 1:26-38. Click the link to read more about St. Mary.

Above: Detail from “The Annunciation,” from a 13th-century Armenian Gospel, painted in the style of Toros Roslin.

Help Our Cathedral Project Take Flight!

Readers of this newsletter are aware that our Diocese is undertaking a major project to restore and renovate the great edifice that unites our community of faith: St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.

Our beloved Diocesan cathedral currently stands under a network of scaffolding, as exterior restoration work moves forward. This first phase is making desperately needed repairs to the structure’s limestone facing and roof.

Even shrouded by nets and ladders, the cathedral made an impressive backdrop to the “Release of Doves” ceremony that concluded the Easter Badarak this week, as seen here.

A renovation of the interior will follow in subsequent phases. In the meantime, St. Vartan Cathedral remains open for worship, candle-lighting, and visits of prayer—and it will be especially active during this week’s Holy Week and Easter celebrations.

The cathedral restoration committee remains hard at work raising the necessary funds and creating resources to inform and involve the public—including an attractive website titled “Renewing the Vision, Cementing the Future,” where people can learn more about the project and watch its progress.

Click the links below to access the StVartan.org website and watch a promotional video. Above all, spread the word about this critical effort to restore the grandeur and structural integrity of our Diocese’s mother sanctuary, the crowning jewel of the Armenian Church in America: our beautiful St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.

Click the links below to:

• VISIT the Cathedral Project website.
• WATCH the promotional video.
• MAKE A GIFT to the Cathedral Restoration Project.

FAR Helps Turn a Flair for Éclairs into a Proud Profession

Sirun began admiring pastry chef Robert Dadasyan’s creations on Facebook back in 2020. She lived in Artsakh at the time, and ever since then, she has dreamt of the day when she could enroll in Chef Robert’s éclair and choux courses.

Enter the Fund for Armenian Relief—which opened that opportunity to Sirun and seven other women displaced from Artsakh, at a time when they desperately needed work and a new passion to pursue.

“We all felt the spirit of Artsakh over these two days,” Sirun shared about the two-day workshop experience. “Baking, talking, and exchanging thoughts in our native Artsakh dialect was a true relief, and a way to recover from our trauma.”

And the best part for Sirun? Equipped with her new skills, she will now start a new job as a pastry chef in Yerevan.

You can help FAR in its efforts to empower Armenians—including Artsakhtsi women like Sirun—in their aspirations to lead productive, independent lives, by supporting the Fund for Armenian Relief. Click here to learn more.

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.

April 13 Vahan Artsruni Duo Concert (see flyer for details)

April 19 ACYOA Juniors Annual Lock-in Retreat

April 20 Meadowlark Gardens Walk and Lunch (see flyer for details )

April 21 Martyrs' Day Commemoration - Shnorhali School Program

April 24 Feast of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide

May 1, 8 Backgammon Tournament (see flyer for details)

May 9 Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ

May 17, 18,19 Spring Food Festival

June 8 Dinner Dance with Bartev (see flyer for details)

ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH WED EDUCATIONAL

FUND SCHOLARSHIP

Application for the WED Educational Fund Scholarship is now available at St. Mary's website www.stmaryaac.org. The application deadline for the 2024-2025 academic year is

May 31, 2024.

Click here to access the scholarship application. If you have questions, contact the St. Mary Church office at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com

Սկզբից էր Բանը, եւ Բանը Աստծու մօտ էր, եւ Բանը Աստ¬ուած էր։2 Նա սկզբից Աստծու մօտ էր։ 3Ամէն ինչ նրանով եղ¬աւ. եւ առանց նրան չեղաւ ոչինչ, որ եղել է։ 4Կեանքը նը¬րանով էր։ Եւ այդ կեանքը մարդկանց համար լոյս էր։ 5Եւ լոյսը խաւարի մէջ լուսաւորում է, եւ խաւարը նրան չնու¬աճեց։ 6Կար մի մարդ՝ Աստծուց ուղարկուած. Նրա անունը՝ Յովհաննէս։ 7Սա եկաւ որպէս վկայ, որպէսզի վկայի լոյսի մասին, որ բոլորը նրա միջոցով հաւատան։ 8Ինքը լոյսը չէր, այլ եկել էր, որ վկայի լոյսի մասին։ 9Այդ լոյսն էր ճշմարիտ լոյսը, որ լուսաւորում է ամէն մարդու, որ գալու է աշ¬խարհ։ 10Նա աշխարհի մէջ էր, եւ աշխարհը նրանով եղաւ, սակայն աշխարհը նրան չճա¬նաչեց։ 11Իւրայինների մօտ ե¬կաւ, բայց իւրայինները նրան չընդու¬նեցին։ 12Իսկ ովքեր նը¬րան ընդունեցին, նրանց իշխանութիւն տուեց լինելու Աս¬տըծու որդիներ, նրանց, որոնք իր անուանը կը հաւա¬տան։ 13Նրանք ո՛չ արիւնից, ո՛չ մարմնի կամքից եւ ոչ էլ մարդու կամքից, այլ Աստծուց ծնուեցին։ 14Եւ Բանը մարմին եղաւ ու բնակ¬ուեց մեր մէջ, եւ տեսանք նրա փառքը, նման այն փառքի, որ Հայրն է տալիս Միածնին՝ լի շնորհով ու ճշմարտութեամբ։ 15Յովհաննէսը վկայում էր նրա մասին, աղաղակում եւ ասում. «Սա՛ է, որի մասին ասացի։ Նա, որ իմ յետեւից էր գալու, ինձնից մեծ եղաւ, որովհետեւ ինձնից առաջ կար»։ 16Մենք բոլորս նրա լրիւութիւնից ստացանք շնորհ՝ շնորհի փոխարէն. 17որովհետեւ օրէնքը Մովսէսի միջոցով տրուեց, իսկ շնորհը եւ ճշմարտութիւնը Յիսուս Քրիստոսի միջո¬ցով եղան։ 

(Յովհ. 1:1-17)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word be-came flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 

(John 1:1-17)

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