ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH 
SHNORHALI MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
March 2023
Lenten Period Wednesday Services

According to the liturgical calendar of the Armenian Church, the Lenten season has begun on Monday, February 19. This year, at St. Mary, Lenten Services and Discussions occurred every Wednesday. The year's theme was "The Holy Sacraments of the Church and their Meaning." A sacrament is a rite that not only signifies some specific grace but also produces that grace in the soul of the person to whom it is administered. Although everything within the Church is sacramental, there are seven formal sacraments of the Armenian Church which correspond to the different states and situations of a person's life.

On Frebruary 22, March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th Der Hovsep, Dn. Mark Krikorian, Dr. Nareg Seferian, Dn. Sevan Topjian, Sub-deacon Armen Asik, and Dn. Garegin Vardanyan presented the Sacraments of "Baptism and Confirmation," "Penance," "Holy Communion," "Holy Matrimony," the "Holy Orders," and lastly, the "Anointing of the Sick."

Toward the end of each service and presentation, the parishioners enjoyed fellowship with each other and a lenten dinner hosted by St. Mary church's different organizations. At the conclusion, parishioners also enjoyed the presence of distinguished guests, among which were Mr. Tatul Hakobyan, a reporter and political analyst from Armenia, Mr. Avo Markarian from Amman, Jordan, Mr. Haroutiun Istepanian from Iraq. and Ms. Sarah Stiter from Gumri Armenia. They all talked about various interesting topics with nice presentations.

As we left our six-week series behind us, we look forward with enduring faith and hope, to next year and another exciting and enriching series. Much gratitude to all who participated and helped make this year's programs enlightening, informative, and uplifting.
Networking With DC Young Armenians

On Sunday, March 5th, 2023, DMV college students and professionals had the opportunity to meet during the networking event. We extend our appreciation to everyone who attended the first-of-its-kind event, which was a huge success! The panelists comprising some of D.C.'s finest professionals gave thoughtful insights pertaining to their respective careers and inspired the youth to pursue their passions. A Q&A session followed the presentation and the attendees had the chance to network afterward with additional professionals from our community who offered great suggestions and words of wisdom. We are extremely grateful to each and every professional for their participation.

We are thankful to Marianna Yearboro, President of the Armenian Law Students Association at Georgetown University for her initiative to cohost the event with Alex Madajian, representing ACYOA Seniors of St. Mary Church.

For those of you who are interested in joining ACYOA Senior’s group, please contact Alex Madajian: at alexmm1112@gmail.com
Stay tuned for future similar events.
Making Mahs 

On March 9th our devoted team of "Mahs Bakers" gathered at St. Mary Church's kitchen to make mahs. Our special thanks to Lola Pickering, Gulbahar Ozkayan, Janet Arabian, and Takuhi Ozbenian who skillfully mixed the ingredients to make the mahs. 

The Armenian word "mahs" means a portion. It is blessed, unconsecrated bread (not Holy Communion) that is given to the faithful to take to those who were unable to share in Holy Communion. It becomes their "portion" of the Badarak. When you receive mahs, extend your right hand so that the small piece of bread can be placed on the back of your hand, and as you receive the mahs say "Pazheen eem Asdvadz haveedyan" (God is my portion forever).
A Visit by Fr. Harutyun Damadyan

In March we had the pleasure of having Fr. Harutyun Damadyan, a Vartabed from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, among us. Hayr Soorp Celebrated Badarak at St. Mary on Sunday, March 12, and was welcomed by our community members during the Mitchink celebration hosted by the Women's Guild.

Hayr Harutyun is originally from Bolis, was ordained in 2015, and was appointed to the Surp Takavor Armenian Church of Kadikoy and the Armenian Church of the Princes' Islands while also serving a role for the Patriarchate. He is the author of three books and has penned numerous sermons and articles on religious topics.

For the past six months, Hayr Soorp resided at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in an effort to advance his knowledge of the Armenian American community. We thank Onnik and Hripsime Sivaslian for hosting Hayr Harutyun during his stay in DC.

Our best wishes to Hayr Harutyun in his ministry to the Lord and His people.
ACYOA Juniors Lent Lock-in Retreat

Friday, March 17th, 15 teens met at church to participate in the annual Juniors Lent Lock-in Retreat. After eating dinner and playing games, the youth were led to a Bible study by Zaven Kalayjian. They discussed service/alms-giving, among other topics.

After a dessert break, Der Hovsep Karapetyan led them in an evening worship service and meditation in the sanctuary. Following several rousing games, including the annual game of hide and seek, the teens settled down and eventually, in the wee hours, went to sleep. Many thanks to Becky, Zaven, Der Hovsep, all who participated, and the parents who brought their teens.
Lenten Good Deed

On Sunday, March 26, our Shnorhali School students were invited to perform one of their Lenten Good Deeds during their religion class period. Families in our community donated sandwich supplies and our fourth graders through high school students assembled turkey and ham sandwiches to benefit Martha's Table in Washington, DC. The students packaged up a total of 228 sandwiches which will be distributed each evening to homeless persons and food-insecure families via the organization's distribution site called McKenna's Wagon.

Students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to come together and do something worthwhile for the benefit of others. They were all encouraged to look upon this as a chance to share a part of their hearts with others. The students did a fantastic job of assembling, bagging and labeling all of the sandwiches in less than half an hour. We were all so proud of their hard work.

To learn more about Martha's Table and the good work they do in the community, please visit the website marthastable.org.
Congratulations to Hovsep Seferian; St. Mary's ACYOA member

On Saturday, March 25th, Hovsep Seferian competed in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Speech State Championships and became the Class 6 Impromptu Speaking State Champion. He has been competing in Speech and Debate since 7th grade and is a senior at Robinson Secondary School. In addition to the state championship, he also won first place at Metrofinals (DMV area championship) this year. Armenia, Christianity, and his experiences within the church of Saint Mary's have remained strong parts of his theses since his beginning, and he attributes his state championship victory to his final round, in which his thesis was based around the ACYOA and its formative abilities for young Armenian Christians, as well as the writings of Aristotle and Rudyard Kipling.
A Word of Thanks

We are grateful to the Kumkumian and Bodurian families for donating life-saving equipment in the event God forbid we are faced with an emergency. Among the donated equipment are a blood pressure monitor and an AED cardiac defibrillator, the latter has the potential to save lives. In addition to their donation, Drs. Bodurian and Kumkumian will arrange for training for the parish council and ushers. We pray all our church community is in good health.
With Gratitude

Spring is in the air, and the St. Mary Garden Guild team along with volunteers started beautification of the church grounds. We are thankful for the continued efforts and contributions of all our community members. We are grateful for the labor of love of Raffi Sahakyan, Arda Kanderian-Hebert, Karine Sahagyan, Mania Missirian, Svetlana Hovannisyan, and Takuhi Hallajian. The team cleaned up the church grounds in preparation for planting flowers in the coming weeks. If you are interested in giving a hand, please email the church office at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com with your interest and how you could assist.
Funerals

March 8, 2023
Zoya Arakelova
She is survived by her children Georg Arakelyan, Arena Karakozyan & Narine Arganashvili, and her grandchildren.

March 11, 2023
Jeannette Sekercan
She is survived by her two brothers, Gaby and Rene, and three of her children, Lisa Thurin(Jim), Cindy Sellmayer (The late Greg), and Greg Sekercan (Robin). She was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 44 years, Kirkor (2001), and her son, David (2005). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Christopher (Taylor), Tyler, Eric (Carrie), Nicholas, Stacy (Joe), Scott, Emma, Mike, Julia, and Sophia, and her great-granddaughters Kylie, Tallulah (LuLu), and Violet and her great-grandson David.
Hokehankists - Requiem Services

March 19, 2023
For the Soul of: Armen Kharazyan ( 40 Days)
Requested by: Osig Kharazyan and family. Arshag Sarkissian and family 

For the Soul of: Samvel Baloyan
Requested by: Aram Baloyan, Arpi Petrosyan, and children

For the Souls of: Juliette Martirosyan and Ruben Martirosyan
Requested by: Nelli Martirosyan (daughter)

For the Souls of: Varouzhan Yenokyan (9th anniversary) & Seryozha Yenokyan( 40 Days)
Requested by: Karine Yenokyan, Artak Azizyan & Grandsons; Davit & Tigran

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