ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH 

MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER

July 2025

Our Sunday Fellowship Hour and Visiting Clergy!



Each Sunday after church services, we are blessed with a warm and welcoming Fellowship Hour — a time to connect, share, and enjoy the generous hospitality of our parish family.

Following the spiritual nourishment of the Badarak, the Fellowship Hour offers us a chance to continue our unity in Christ through fellowship, conversation, and community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Anna Seferian, Diana Sargsyan, Ender Berberian, Vard Sarikian, and Suzy Simonyan for graciously hosting recent gatherings. Your kindness and dedication truly enrich our community spirit.

On Sunday, July 20th, we were pleased to welcome the Armenian Assembly of America interns who joined us for worship and fellowship. It was a joy to have them with us and to share the richness of our parish life.

Over the past few Sundays, our parish has also been blessed with the visiting clergy Rev. Fr. Bedros Kadehjian and Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, who graciously celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered heartfelt sermons. We extend our sincere thanks to both clergy for their inspiring messages and spiritual guidance.

Panelists Discuss Plight of Artsakh During NCC’s “Impact Week” at UN

Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan of the Eastern Diocese was a panelist in a distinguished discussion titled “Religious Freedom: Assessing Challenges of Increasing Religious Nationalism to Religious Minorities,” held in June at the United Nations Church Center in New York City. The event was part of the annual “Impact Week,” organized by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. (NCC).

Fr. Karapetyan (pastor of St. Mary Church in Washington, DC) participated in the conference on behalf of Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director, who has been a longtime champion for religious freedom and ecumenical dialogue within the World Council of Churches. He joined a panel of respected leaders, including Rabbi David Saperstein, Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, and Jessica Roland, with moderation by Rev. Dr. Nicolas Kazarian.

Representing the Armenian Church, Fr. Hovsep offered a reflection on the lived experiences of Armenian Christians and other religious minorities in regions such as Nagorno-Karabagh and the broader Middle East, where the fusion of nationalism and religious identity has led to displacement, cultural erasure, and targeted violence.

Fr. Hovsep underscored that true religious freedom goes beyond worship—it means safeguarding a people’s identity, history, and sacred spaces from erasure, and ensuring their rightful place in the life of society. He called for multi-faith solidarity, international advocacy, and a commitment to preserving both memory and a sacred presence in the face of rising religious nationalism.

Our Sunday Fellowship Hour Hospitality Team!

Each Sunday after church services, we are blessed with a warm and welcoming Fellowship Hour — a time to connect, share, and enjoy the generous hospitality of our parish family.

This Sunday’s hospitality table is lovingly offered by the Bolat and Keshishian families in memory of Zevart Bolat and Ani Keshishian, long-time and beloved members of our community. May their memory be eternal.

On this special day, we were also pleased to welcome the Armenian Assembly of America interns who joined us for worship and fellowship. It was a joy to have them with us and to share the richness of our parish life.

Following the spiritual nourishment of the Badarak, the Fellowship Hour offers us a chance to continue our unity in Christ through fellowship, conversation, and community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Anna Seferian, Diana Sargsyan, Ender Berberian, Vard Sarikian, and Suzy Simonyan for graciously hosting recent gatherings. Your kindness and dedication truly enrich our community spirit.

Would you like to help create these special moments?

We warmly invite you to join our Hospitality Team by volunteering to host a Fellowship Hour. Whether you’d like to offer refreshments, help set up, or simply lend a hand — every gesture is appreciated.

To get involved or learn more, please contact:

Suzy Simonyan at ssimonian2001@yahoo.com

Let’s continue to grow our community — one Sunday at a time. All are welcome, and every helping hand makes a difference!

Celebrating Vartavar at Church: A Fusion of Faith, Water, and Joy

On Sunday, July 27th, we joyfully celebrated Vardavar at church, following the Divine Liturgy, which was graciously led by visiting priest Father Simeon Odabashian. After the service, both children and adults gathered outside, ready to take part in the cherished Armenian tradition of water fights. Laughter rang out as water splashed in all directions, soaking everyone in playful delight. It was a joyful and unifying moment—an expression of cultural heritage and communal joy that brought generations together in spirited celebration.

Baptism and Confirmation

July 12, 2025

Romeo Yousefian

Son of Narbeh and Ashley Yousefian

Godparents: Norvik Khatchatourian and Tatum Williams

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

Funeral

July 11, 2025

James Nicholas Anderson

He is survived by his wife, Vartouhi Mehrabian; his daughter, Arpineh Anderson; his parents, Judy and James Anderson; his sister and her husband, Tiffany and Aaron Stanek; and his nephews, Hunter and Hayden Stanek.

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

Hokehankists - Requiem Services

July 6, 2025

For the Soul of: Donara Harutyunyan ; Honorary Citizen of Gyumri, respected and beloved leader of Gyumri (from 1979 to 1988). 

Requested by: Leonid Harutyunyan, Nelly Harutyunyan, and their daughters Astghik, Arus, and Anush Harutyunyans

July 13, 2025

For the Soul of: Zivart Bolat (40 days)

Requested by: Krikor Bolat and family, Zaven Bakirci and family 

For the Soul of: Ani Keshishian

Requested by: Vartkes Keshishian, Talar &Yeprem Festekjian, Lilian & Peter Festekjian, Arlene, Alex, Shaunt & Christina

July 20, 2025

For the Soul of:  Edmond Gazazyan

Requested by: Leonid Harutyunyan, Evelina Pokhosyan-Atayan,

Yuri Ayvazyan and their families

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