ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH 
SHNORHALI MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
February 2022
Teen Event Making Sack Lunches

The ACYOA Juniors teen youth group gathered together after badarak on February 6th to assemble 100 sack lunches for needy people in the local area.  The lunches were distributed via the Small Things Matter non-profit organization. A special thanks to Katie Kumkumian for organizing the event, and to Catherine Sahakian and the Seferian family for helping on the day of the event.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”   Matthew 5:14
Ararat Avak Society St. Sarkis Carry-Out Luncheon

The year kicked off with an exciting carry-out event in celebration of St. Sarkis. Ararat Avak Society’s committee once again received overwhelming support both in labor and financial, which made the event a memorable one.
We are grateful to all our volunteers who came forward without any hesitation, especially our very own Executive Chef Aret Sahakyan who prepared the Fresh-Pasta, Kale, 3-cheese lasagna dish.
We are deeply moved by the generosity of our parish members and community for their enthusiasm and participation in purchasing the meals. 
Last but not least, we are profoundly thankful to our Parish Council who made it possible for us to have access to the kitchen amidst the construction and renovation.
 
We look forward to a prosperous year ahead.
 
With gratitude,
Ararat Avak Society Committee
St. Mary Church Kitchen Fundraiser 
Work in Progress 
Final Stages of Kitchen Renovation
Dear Parishioners and Friends,

As a member or a visitor of St. Mary Armenian Church, you have experienced first-hand our church community's warm and welcoming hospitality. St. Mary is a place where we come to worship together and celebrate our rich and beautiful heritage. A part of that heritage is also our culinary delights and food. Our church's kitchen is an integral part where thousands of meals have been produced during various events to be enjoyed by our parishioners and friends. 

We are reaching out to you today to ask for your generous donation to reach our goal of raising the $25,000 needed to complete our kitchen renovation in time for all of us to enjoy the continuance of those important events. We appreciate all the donations that our parishioners and friends have already contributed to this vital project. 

Your contribution will enable us to resume our church events quickly and safely.
 
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support, and we ask God's guidance and protection for you and your families.

With Prayers,                       
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
Mrs. Shoghig Sahakyan,   Parish Council Chair   
Annual Parish AssemblySunday - February 20, 2022


Annual statements and reports of all of the organizations were presented and approved. The budget for the upcoming year was also approved. We are thrilled to have the following individuals elected/reelected to fill positions within Parish Council and other committees:
Parish Council: Rick Nishanian, Shoghig Sahakyan, Onnik Sivaslian, John Assadourian, Sean McClure, Alternate Mark Bettis. Nominating Committee: Eric Ashbahian, Hripsime Sivaslian, Becky Bagdasarian, Alternate Mark Krikorian. Auditing Committee: Greg Manougian, Alternate Christian Ohanian.  Investment Committee: Sarine Zenian, Alternate Wright Sigmund. WED Scholarship Committee: Eric Ashbahian, Alternate Vivian George.

Congratulations to the newly elected members and many thanks to outgoing members for their service.
Shnorhali School student with her Girl Scout troop helps to raise awareness and teaches the community about Armenia

Shnorhali School instills a love of Armenian history, culture, and religion in our young generation and helps them to become our ambassadors among other nations.

Each year, on February 22nd Girl Scouts and Girl Guides, celebrate World Thinking Day, which is a day of international friendship and a time to stand up for causes that could improve the lives of girls around the world. One of our Shnorhali School students, Ani Nishanian, who is a Junior Girl Scout with troop 54082, has taken the initiative to present and introduce Armenia during this celebration. In doing so, Ani has led several educational sessions for her Junior Girl Scout troop members, who are mostly of Indian and Korean descent. Ani has further led her troop in exploring Armenia by creating an educational board with interesting facts and information about Armenia, its history, and culture. Finally, Ani has taught her troop how to dance an Armenian dance.  

During the official annual flag parade presentation which was conducted by the Girl Scouts from the local Northern Virginia region, everyone would be proud to know that the Armenian Anthem was loudly sung as the Armenian flag was paraded in front of a live audience. The crowd packing the auditorium was also pleasantly surprised and excited to see a group of young girls from different nationalities, perform Tamzara, a traditional Armenian dance.
The event was a great opportunity to both showcase and raise awareness of Armenia and of its rich culture and heritage.
Shnorhali School has successfully launched its Chess Club

In Armenia, chess is a mandatory school subject for every child over the age of 6. Consequently, Armenia is considered to be one of the strongest chess nations in the world today, and as a small country, it has managed to produce one of the greatest numbers of chess grandmasters per capita in the world.
Following our national tradition, Shnorhali school has planned and initiated a Chess Club for its students. After school, each Sunday, as of February 13 the club’s Head Coach, Ohan Semirjyan, started providing instructions in a structured framework for interested students to explore and communicate the beauty of chess and to help sharpen young curious minds. Ohan focuses on teaching students to think critically and to learn and discover attack moves, sacrifices, traps, and many other chess tricks.

Chess is a great sport to develop critical thinking skills and concentration. If your child is interested, please register him or her. Who knows, your child might become the next chess grandmaster! Classes take place every Sunday at 2 pm.
Women's Guild Paregentan Event

The Women's Guild held their annual Paregentan Event with a delicious carry-out feast on Saturday, Feb. 27. Guild members prepared Tepsi Kebab, Basouts dolma, and a variety of delicious sides and desserts. Special appreciation goes to all of the Guild members and volunteers who came out to help make this event a success!

For more information on Women's Guild events or to be added to our email list, please email stmarywgdc@gmail.com or visit us on Instagram at @stmarywgdc

Baptism and Confirmation

February 12, 2022
Mark Khramushin
Son of Vitalii & Ofeliya Agabekyan Khramushin
Godparents: Andrei Agabekian & Karine Renaud

February 26, 2022
Hayasa and Menua Khoranian
Daughter and Son of Yervand & Helen Derderian Khoranian
Godparents: Artin & Anna Safarian

May God bless our newly-baptized with His love and may His protection and guidance always be with him.
Funeral

January 10, 2022

Dr. Robert A. Shekoyan
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Angela; his sons, Vladimir and Ashot; his grandchildren, Robert, Angela, and Maria, and many other family members and friends for whom he was a pillar.
Dr. Robert Shekoyan will be terribly missed. Goodbye and Godspeed, good man.

February 4, 2022

Dr. Suhail Khouri
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Maha; his son, Zaidoon; his grandchildren, Leo and Lexa, his brothers Simon and Raymond; his sisters Sumaya, Antoinette, and Suhaila, and many other dear family members by blood and by marriage in the Khouri and Kanderian clans, for whom he was a pillar.
Words cannot express how much he will be missed.

February 14, 2022

Harutyun Derderian
He is survived by his daughter Yercanik (Melkon) Delikahya, his sons Setrak (Mari) Derian and Simon Derian, and grandchildren Garin, Melissa, Arman, and great-grandchildren Raina and Roman.
Harutyun Derderian will be terribly missed. Goodbye and Godspeed, good man.

February 24, 2022

Yercan Delikahya
She is survived by her husband Melkon Delikahya, her brothers Setrak and Simon Derian.
Yercan Delikahya will be terribly missed.


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

February 6, 2022
For the Soul of:
Tania Chichmanian (40th Day)
Requested by:
Rudolf Kharatyan

For the Souls of:
Mary Banous, Shukri Istepanaian & Golizar Arteen
Requested by:
Rita Istepanian

February 27, 2022
For the Souls of: 
Victims of Massacres in Sumgayit and Baku (1988-1990)
Requested by:
Office of Artsakh in the USA, Parish Council & Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

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