ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH 

MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER

December 2025

Bible Study: “The Resurrection and the Call to Follow” — Final Session

On Tuesday, December 2, parishioners gathered for the final session of our fall Bible Study series on the Gospel of John. This concluding session explored Chapters 20 and 21—two of the most beautiful and hope-filled chapters in all of Scripture. We reflected on the empty tomb, the first appearances of the risen Christ, and the restoration of Peter.

The evening began with John’s account of the Resurrection, where Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Lord in the garden. Participants reflected on the tenderness of this moment—Christ calling Mary by name—and discussed how the Resurrection transforms fear into faith and sorrow into joy. We also considered the gift of peace Jesus breathes upon His disciples: “Peace be with you… Receive the Holy Spirit.”

The discussion continued with the final chapter, where the risen Jesus meets His disciples by the Sea of Galilee. In the miraculous catch of fish and the shared breakfast on the shore, we saw the gentleness of the Lord who feeds His followers and restores their hope. The session concluded with Christ’s threefold restoration of Peter—“Do you love Me?”—and His renewed call, “Follow Me,” reminding us that discipleship continues even after failure.

We closed the evening with gratitude for these nine weeks of prayer, reflection, and fellowship. Our next Bible Study series will begin in January 2026, and all parishioners are warmly invited to join us as we continue growing together in God’s Word.

Celebrating Faith and Service: A Milestone Weekend

On Sunday, December 7, 2025, the St. Mary Armenian Church community gathered with joy and gratitude to celebrate the 93rd anniversary of our beloved parish. For nearly a century, St. Mary has stood as a beacon of faith and fellowship in Washington, D.C., a spiritual home where generations have prayed, learned, healed, and grown together in Christ.

The day began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian. A special Hokehankist followed, offered in loving remembrance of our departed parishioners, benefactors and loved ones, and in memory of the victims of the 1988 Earthquake in Armenia.

Following the services, parishioners and friends filled the Church Hall for a festive anniversary luncheon and program. The celebration was enriched by the inspiring talents of our community: the St. Mary Bell Choir under the leadership of Maria Stepanian; the joyful voices of the Shnorhali School Young Voices guided by Armine Khatchaturian; and a heartfelt reflection by Nicolette Blackwell on her transformative summer in Armenia through the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Youth Program.

A highlight of the afternoon was the recognition of Dn. Mark Krikorian as St. Mary’s Special Honoree of the Year. His devotion, humility, and steadfast service at the Holy Altar have been a blessing to our parish for many years.

Special appreciation was extended to all who contributed to the day: Our Master of Ceremonies, Mrs. Anna Seferian, the St. Mary Parish Council for sponsoring the luncheon; Classic Bakery for the beautifully crafted anniversary cake; and Nora’s Catering for preparing a delicious meal that brought everyone together in fellowship.

The celebration of our 93rd anniversary was a day filled with joy, fellowship, remembrance, and hope—a day that honored our past, uplifted our present, and prepared our hearts for the future God is shaping for us. May the Lord continue to bless St. Mary Armenian Church as a place where His love is tasted, shared, and lived, today and always.

To support the "Embrace the Future" Endowment Fund, visit:

St. Mary's Embracing the Future Endowment Fund

Shnorhali School Welcomes the Christmas Season 



On Sunday, December 7, in Religion class, Shnorhali School students decorated the Christmas tree with care and enthusiasm, bringing warmth and holiday spirit into our halls. Moments like these remind us that the beauty of the season is found in simple traditions and shared joy!

A Joyful Return of St. Mary’s Christmas Market

On December 13th, the Christmas Market joyfully returned to St. Mary, filling our parish with festive spirit and warm fellowship. We extend our deepest appreciation to all our volunteers and supporters whose dedication and generosity made this beloved event a wonderful success.

We are especially grateful for the special visit from Santa, warmly portrayed by Mark Krikorian, and for the beautiful Christmas backdrop generously provided by Talin and Manoug Habibian. Alene Boghossian and Lena Nalchayan joyfully shared their artistic talents by painting faces—not only of our youngest parishioners, but also of the young at heart. A heartfelt thank-you is also extended to Tamara Sarkisian for her lovingly baked and beautifully packaged Russian Tea cookies, which were enjoyed by all.

This event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our volunteers, who worked diligently behind the scenes—from setting up the hall for our vendors to preparing and serving delicious lentil soup and lahmajun. We are also thankful to Zaruhi Mutafian for providing her much-loved gatnabour (rice pudding) and to Eva Shafakian for preparing traditional Armenian coffee.

The St. Mary Gift Shop Committee, together with their dedicated volunteers, presented newly arrived delicacies and artifacts, offering wonderful Christmas gift ideas for our parish family. The Christmas Market was also highlighted by a visit and interview from a DC News Now reporter, helping share the joy of our community with a wider audience.

We are deeply moved by the continued support of our parishioners, neighbors, and friends who joined us despite the cold weather. Wishing you all love and blessings throughout the season—and let us always remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Women’s Guild Christmas Party

The St. Mary Women’s Guild Christmas Party on Saturday, December 13th was a joyful celebration filled with delicious food, laughter, and wonderful fellowship. Every woman in attendance brought a dish to share, creating a truly amazing spread that everyone enjoyed. The excitement continued when Santa Claus made a special visit, delighting the group as he handed out White Elephant gifts to all.

From the festive food to the fun surprises and heartfelt camaraderie, it was a beautiful way to celebrate the season together.  

St. Mary ACYOA Jr. Christmas Party

On December 13, more than 30 St. Mary ACYOA Juniors (teens), together with their parents, gathered in the church hall for a joyful Christmas celebration. The evening began with a festive potluck dinner, creating a warm atmosphere of fellowship and community.

Following the meal, Der Hovsep led the teens in the Evening Prayer Service. His reflection focused on the seasons of Advent and Christmas, emphasizing the true meaning of the gift God has given us in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The prayer service provided a meaningful spiritual foundation for the evening’s activities.

Afterwards, the teens divided into teams for the “Crazy Christmas Competition,” a series of fun and engaging challenges that tested their observation skills, coordination, and teamwork. Their creativity shone brightly in the final event, titled “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” At the conclusion of the competition, each participant received a small prize in recognition of their team’s efforts.

In the true spirit of Christmas and Christian service, the teens also collected and donated toys for the benefit of Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., sharing the joy of the season with those in need.

May the joy, love, and generosity experienced during this celebration continue to inspire our parish family throughout the coming year.

ACYOA Seniors Spread Christmas Joy Through Bake Sale

On December 13 and 14, our ACYOA Seniors organized a successful bake sale in support of Ayo!’s Christmas Wishlist 2025, raising nearly $900 for this meaningful cause.

Through their generous efforts, the fundraiser will help provide Christmas trees, festive lights, and food packages to vulnerable families in Armenia, bringing warmth, hope, and the joy of Christmas to those in need.

We are deeply grateful to our parishioners and to all who baked, donated, purchased, and supported this initiative. Your generosity and encouragement made this fundraiser a beautiful expression of faith in action and Christian love.

May the spirit of giving shown by our youth continue to inspire our parish family throughout the Christmas season and beyond.

ACYOA Seniors' Christmas Party

On December 13th, the ACYOA Seniors gathered for a joyful Christmas Potluck celebration filled with laughter, games, meaningful conversation, and plenty of delicious homemade dishes!

Beyond the food, the night offered a chance for our seniors to reconnect during a busy season through shared fellowship and warm conversation, friendships were strengthened, and new memories were made.

Events like these remind us that ACYOA Seniors is more than a group—it is a community rooted in faith, service, and connection. We are grateful to everyone who contributed a dish, helped organize the evening, and brought such positive energy to the celebration. A special thank you to Der Hovsep and Yeretskin Jennifer for hosting this wonderful dinner!

Shnorhali School Christmas Party: A Joyful Celebration to Close the Year

The holiday season came alive at Shnorhali School this past Sunday, December 21st, as our community gathered to celebrate the Christmas Party, marking our final school day before the New Year. The school was filled with laughter, music, creativity, and the unmistakable warmth of the Christmas spirit, as students, teachers, and volunteers came together to share in this special moment.

The celebration began with heartfelt blessings from Der Hovsep, who welcomed our students and reflected on the true meaning of the Christmas season. His words about faith, love, generosity, and hope set a reverent and uplifting tone, reminding us that Christmas is not only a time of joy, but also a season of gratitude, compassion, and unity.

Adding an element of learning and excitement, our Religion teacher, Linet Khoranian, led an engaging Christmas trivia activity. Students participated with great enthusiasm, eagerly answering questions and demonstrating their understanding of the traditions and spiritual significance of the season. The festive atmosphere was further enriched by a beautiful musical performance from 8th-grade student Ruben Babasyan, whose Christmas melodies on the guitar brought warmth and harmony to the celebration.

Throughout the afternoon, students rotated through a variety of joyful activity stations -writing letters to Santa, preparing magical reindeer food, decorating Christmas ornaments, enjoying face painting, and creating festive crafts. The excitement reached its peak when Santa paid a special visit, delighting students as they posed for photos and shared moments filled with laughter and wonder.

We extend a special note of gratitude to Shnorhali Religious Education Coordinator, Nicolette Blackwell, whose thoughtful planning, coordination, and dedication to every detail ensured the celebration ran smoothly and successfully.

The Shnorhali School Christmas Party was a touching reminder of the strength of our community and the values we strive to instill in our students - faith, kindness, creativity, and togetherness. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our teachers, volunteers, families, and students who helped make this celebration so meaningful and memorable.

Wishing our entire Shnorhali family a blessed Christmas and a joyful, peaceful New Year!

Blessing of the Pomegranate at St. Mary Armenian Church

On the last Sunday of the year, December 28, following the Divine Liturgy, the faithful of St. Mary Armenian Church gathered for the traditional Blessing of the Pomegranate service, an ancient and deeply meaningful ritual in the Armenian Christian tradition.

At the conclusion of the Badarak, pomegranates were brought forward to be blessed, reminding the community of a powerful spiritual symbol. As was reflected in the sermon by Der Hovsep, the pomegranate teaches us an enduring truth: many seeds, one fruit; many lives, one community; many moments, one year. Each seed represents a blessing; some visible, others hidden. Some years are marked by sorrow, others by joy, yet God gathers every seed, every prayer, every tear, and every act of faith into His loving care.

Through the blessing of the pomegranates, the congregation lifted its prayers for the year ahead, asking God to grant peace, fruitfulness, unity, and hope. The service invited all present to pause at the threshold of the new year, neither looking back with regret nor forward with fear, but upward with trust in God’s providence.

This simple yet profound ritual served as a reminder that our lives, like the seeds of the pomegranate, are held together by God’s grace. As the year came to a close, the faithful were encouraged to enter the new year ready to live faithfully, to love generously, and to hope courageously, trusting that the Lord, who has entrusted us with life itself, will bless the work of our hands, the intentions of our hearts, and the year that lies ahead.

“Virtual Visitation” with Parish Leaders of Washington, DC

As 2025 wound down, the Eastern Diocese held its latest in a series of “virtual parish visitations.” Through these online gatherings, Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan has met with the leadership of every one of our local parishes, to discuss the latest developments and ongoing needs.

A meeting with St. Mary Church of Washington, DC, took place on December 18. This was the third such “virtual visitation” for the parish. Along with pastor Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, parish council members and Diocesan delegates took part in the 90-minute meeting, as did Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian, and Diocesan Council member Gregory Kolligian, who served as facilitator for the meeting.

Some 50 parishes have met with the Primate in this way over the past three years. The schedule of “virtual visitations” will proceed in the weeks to come.

Beads of Love: Shnorhali School Kindergarten Students Stand with Artsakh

This Christmas season, our youngest students of Shnorhali School showed us that even the smallest hands can make a powerful difference. Through their service project, “Beads of Love: Hands Together for Artsakh Kids,” our youngest students came together with compassion, purpose, and joy to support displaced children and families from Artsakh during a time of profound hardship.

In partnership with Amicus Youth, a youth-led nonprofit founded by one of our dedicated volunteers, Ani Nishanian, our kindergarteners carefully crafted handmade bracelets, each one a symbol of love, care, and solidarity. These bracelets were then shared with our community, with all proceeds dedicated to helping those in need.

Thanks to the generosity of our families and parish community, this heartfelt initiative raised over $700. Every dollar will directly support the Anna Astvatsaturian Foundation’s “Ser Artsakh” program, which provides essential supplies and assistance to newborns and displaced Artsakh families, offering hope, comfort, and dignity during these difficult times.

We are deeply grateful to our parents, parishioners, and supporters who embraced this project and helped turn kindness into action. Most of all, we are proud of our kindergarten students, who reminded us that compassion knows no age, and that love, when shared, can truly change lives.

A Joyful New Year’s Eve at St. Mary Armenian Church

On New Year’s Eve, friends and families gathered under the roof of St. Mary Armenian Church to welcome the New Year together in faith, fellowship, and joy. After a ten-year pause, this beautiful and much-loved tradition was revived, bringing together many families to mark the beginning of the New Year with excitement, warmth, and God’s blessings.

The evening was filled with laughter, conversation, and celebration as the community welcomed the New Year together. Following the midnight countdown and joyful cheers, everyone proceeded to the church sanctuary for a prayer and blessing service. Together, we thanked God for His guidance throughout the past year and humbly asked for His continued blessings, protection, and direction in the year ahead.

This meaningful gathering would not have been possible without the dedicated planning and organization of the Hovhanissyan and McClure families, along with the many volunteers and contributors whose efforts made the evening so special. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who helped revive this tradition and bring it to life once again.

Special appreciation is also extended to Bark Barbecue for generously providing the main course of the evening, and to DJ Kevork Tashjian for providing the entertainment that added energy and joy to the celebration.



As we begin a new year together, we wish everyone a blessed, peaceful, and joyful New Year, filled with faith, hope, and God’s abiding presence.

Funerals

December 3, 2025

Ishkhan Bagramian

Ishkhan is survived by his wife, Knarik; sons, Robert and Levon; daughter-in-law, Inesa; grandson, Nathan; brothers, Movses and Hovig; and sisters, Jenik and Hasmik. 

May the Lord rest his Soul in peace and grant His comforting Holy Spirit to the family members and friends.

Baptism and Confirmation

December 23, 2025

Brittany Storm Ellis

Daughter of William Brendan and Cynthia Armine Ellis

Godparents: Mark Christopher Bettis and Caroline Claudia Holsombeck

December 23, 2025

Ivy Leigh Holsombeck

Daughter of Dale and Caroline Holsombeck

Godparents: Mark Bettis and Cynthia Ellis

May God bless our newly baptized with His love, and may His protection and guidance always be with them.

Hokehankists - Requiem Services

December 7, 2025

For the Souls of: Victims of the 1988 Earthquake and

all of St. Mary's Departed, Dedicated Parishioners and Loved Ones

Click here to see the list

Requested by: Der Hovsep, the Parish Council

December14, 2025

For the Souls of: The Rev. Fr. Zaven Arzoumanian (10 Days), Khachadur Hakobyan (10th anniversary), Noubar Kupelian (1st anniversary), Kevork Megerdich Tashjian (51st anniversary)

Requested by: Mike and Naira Tashjian 

For the Soul of: Mary Jerikian Mardoian (grandmother)(1st anniversary)

Requested by: Aram and Anoush Gavoor and Family

For the Soul of: Arto Satian (5th anniversary)

Requested by: Marggie Satian and Family

December 21, 2025

For the soul of: Lucine Kechichian

Requested by: Nvart, Khajag, Nayrie, and Garine Tahmazian

For the soul of: Araxi Bostanian Kobrin (6th anniversary); Dikran and Armina Bostanian; Sarkis and Esther Bostanian; John, Elizabeth, and Joyce Shanlian; Avedis and Kohar Shanlian; Kerop and Sarah Arsenian 

Requested by: Melanie Kobrin (daughter of Araxi Bostanian Kobrin)

For the soul of: Vazganush Khachatryan 

Requested by: Loved one

May God rest their Souls in peace and may His loving favor be with their Loved Ones.