ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH 
SHNORHALI MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
December 2021
St. Mary Church's 89th Anniversary

On Sunday, December 12, St. Mary Armenian Church in Washington, DC celebrated its 89th Anniversary. As a part of the celebration, the parishioners and friends gathered to honor the 50th anniversary of the priestly ordination of His Eminence Abp. Vicken Aykazian. 

The day began with the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Abp. Aykazian. It was followed by an extravagant luncheon and eloquent program organized by the St. Mary Parish Council. Mr. Avedis Seferian served as the master of ceremonies. Parish Council Chair Ms. Shoghig Sahakian welcomed everyone. Attendees enjoyed a beautiful performance, songs, and poetry by St. Mary Shnorhali School Students. Her Excellency Lilit Makunts, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United States, in her address expressed gratitude and appreciation to Abp. Aykazian for many years of dedication and service to the Armenian Church and people. Mr. James Winkler, President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, served as the keynote speaker. In his address, he underlined the great role that Abp. Aykazian played in the ecumenical movant in global and Armenian causes, and as a past president and current member of the Executive Board of the NCC and the Board member of the World Council of Churches.

Other distinguished guests spoke of their respected friendship with the honoree, and of his many contributions to Christian ecumenism. Among the speakers were Rev. Mark Morozowich, Dean and Associate Professor of Liturgical Studies/Sacramental Theology at the Catholic University of America; Rev. Stefanos Alexopoulos, Associate Professor of Liturgical Studies/Sacramental Theology, CUA; Robin Darling Young, Associate Professor of Church History, CUA, and Bryan Ardouny, executive director of the Armenian Assembly. A congratulatory letter from Robert Avetisyan, Permanent Representative of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic in the U.S.A., was also read.


Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan in his remarks emphasized Abp. Aykazian’s humility, love, and service to the church and people. At the conclusion of the celebration, St. Mary Parish Council Chair Shoghig Sahakian, on behalf of the Parish Council and St. Mary parishioners, presented the archbishop with a special gift of a Blessing Cross.

Our gratitude to Margie Satian, Kumkumian, and Kodjanian families for sponsoring the luncheon in memory of their loved ones. Special appreciations to the Bark BBQ and Ghazarian family for providing the barbecue for the luncheon, as well as Classic Bakery and Movssesian family for providing the Anniversary cake. The attendees enjoyed Armenian wine provided by the Armenian Embassy. Special thanks to our media specialist Haykaram Nahapetyan. Our appreciation goes to Raffi Sahakian and the many unnamed volunteers who worked so tirelessly behind the scenes.
ACYOA Juniors Christmas Party

On Saturday, December 11th the teens gathered together for a Christmas party. The event included a pot luck meal and a devotional about Jesus's title as our Wonderful Counselor.  The teens finished up the evening with a very lively white elephant gift exchange. Special thanks go out to the Sahakian family (Mike, Catherine, Elaina, David) for hosting the party in their lovely home.

ACYOA Juniors Volunteer Efforts

The ACYOA Juniors teen youth group has been busy at work serving Armenians, locally and in the homeland. The group sponsored a Winter Coat drive in November, making a video to promote the effort.  Many thanks to the congregation members who brought in a total of 38 winter coats! The coats will benefit adults and children in the DC Metro area, via the Salvation Army Share the Warmth Coat Drive.  During December the teens collected $110 to benefit the FAR AYO Christmas Wishlist, which funds projects in Armenia.  The juniors also volunteered as servers, at the St Mary Anniversary dinner.
December 18, Annual Christmas Bake Sale

Annual Christmas Bake Sale and Christmas Market ended our year on a high note. We are deeply touched and grateful for the outpouring of support and generosity from our community and parishioners. Namely, members of our Women’s Guild who have once again answered the call and provided their specialty baked goods, Classic Bakery, and beyond. Words can never do justice and missing to mention the name of all the dedicated individuals will also be unfair. However, our strength lies in the unity of our efforts, and this we have witnessed time and time again throughout the past year.
The highlight of the event was a special visit from Santa Claus with the beautiful backdrop provided by team Manoug and Talin Habibian. A rare opportunity to have pictures taken with our humorous Santa Claus, Mark Krikorian, was provided by our infamous photographer; team Joyce and Armen Boghossian.
In addition, the Christmas Market, which was attended by various vendors provided many unique gifts for our attendees.
Last but not least, St. Mary Garden Guild’s display of beautiful Poinsettias and Christmas Cacti contributed to the special feel of Christmas festivities.
All proceeds from the bake sale went to the renovation of the church kitchen.
Let us rejoice and be glad in Him; Christ is Born!
Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year. Let us begin 2022 with new hope and anticipation leaving all what transpired in 2021 behind.
Krissdoss Dzenav yev Haydnetzav, Shenorhavor Nor Daree tzer poloreen
Parish Council
Baptism and Confirmation

December 27, 2021
Francesca Strylowski & Colette Strylowski
Daughters of Michael & Laura Strylowski
Godparents: Todd Strylowski & Selin Gocer

May God bless our newly baptized with His love and may His protection and guidance always be with him.
Funeral
October 30, 2021
Avakim Mirzaians
Survived by his son Ashot Mirzaians and his wife Marina; Grandson Masis Mirzaians, and wife Anahid Maroothkaniany

May the Lord rest his soul in peace and grant His comforting Holy Spirit to the family members and friends.
Hokehankists - Requiem Services

December 5, 2021
For the Souls of: All the victims of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, Tomyan family, Vardanian, Shakhbekyan, Avoyan, Kofman, Kazarian, and Serqueira 
Requested by: David Tomyan, Hovsep Karapetyan, Parish Council.

For the Soul of: Arto Satian (1st year Anniversary)
Requested by: Margie Satian and family
 
For the Souls of: Souny Kodjanian( 40th Day)
Requested by: Mr. and Mrs. Eric Kodjanian and Mr. and Mrs. Karina & Mike Stouffer

For the Soul of: Haikouhi Koudoussian
Requested by: Rita Koudoussian and Lena (Edvik) Alexandrian, her sister Marie Balian, her grandson André Alexandrian, her sister-in-law Rita Balian, and her nephews Raffi Balian and Sevag (Nairi) Balian.

For the Souls of: Sarkis Pakoyan ( 40th Day ) & Zepiur Bozajian (22nd Anniversary)
Requested by: Nairy Pakoyan, daughter Kohar & son-in-law Harutyun Apel

For the Soul of: Alfred Khachatryan
Requested by: Armine Khachatryan, Arshak Avetisyan & Hayk Avetisyan 

For the Souls of: Hegine Kizilian(12 years), Harutyun Kizilian, Mihran Bahceli, Sahak and Hripsime Simon
Requested by: Arsaluys Bahceli & Lusin Simon

For the Soul of: Mary Leon Banous
Requested by: Robert Shukri Istepanian, Rita Shukri Istepanian & Harooutyun Shukri Istepanian & their families.

For the Souls of : Anna Bolek (40th Day), Kiryakos Bolek, Alexan Hasar, Mayram Hasar & Akop Hasar
Requested by: Janet Tufeckgian and family

For the Soul of:Andranik Tovmasyan (40th Day)
Requested by: Bayburtian, Bagdasarian and Harutunian families.

December 19, 2021
For the Soul of: Eva Asoryan(40th Day)
Requested By: Talin Saraydaroglu (Daughter) Kirkor Saraydaroglu (Son in law) and Grandkids Bettina and Raffi

For the Soul of: Mary Banous(40th day)
Requested By: Rita, Harootyun, and Robert Istepanian

For the Soul of: Anita Badalian Morgan(1 Year Anniversary)
Requested By: Serouj,Rozik and Aylin Badalian

December 26, 2021
For the Soul of:Alice Baker(40th Day)
Requested By: David Terzian, ken Terzian, Alison Papazian, Bonnie Hollands & Richard Baker
For the Soul of: Hartoun Varoujanian(40th day)
Requested By: Varoujan & Leeza Varoujanian and family, Krikor & Alenoush Khatchadourian and family
For the Souls of: Araxi Bostanian Kobrin( 2nd Year Anniversary); Sarkis and Esther Bostanian; Dikran and Armina Bostanian; John, Elizabeth, and Joyce Shanlian; Avedis and Kohar Shanlian; and Kerop and Sarah Arsenian
Requested By: Melanie Kobrin (daughter of Araxi Bostanian Kobrin); and Dennis Shanlian and Cynthia Shanlian Reid (second cousins)


May God rest their souls in peace and may His loving favor be with their Loved Ones. 
St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church 
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden Street N.W, Washington, DC 20016 
202-363-1923 / www.stmaryaac.org