ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH
SHNORHALI MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
May 2022
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New Parish Council Officers Elected
We are pleased to introduce to our parishioners the elected Officers of the Parish Council for the year 2022. Chair-Shoghig Sahakyan; Vice-Chair-Artur Sivaslian; Recording Secretary-Cathrine Sahakian; Corresponding Secretary-John Asadoorian; Treasurer-Jack Guiragossian; Assistant Treasurer-Robert George; Member-Vazrik Nishanian; Member-Sean McLure; Member-Ohannes Sivaslian.
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Shnorhali School Mother's Day and Teachers' Appreciation Week
On May 8th, Mother’s Day was celebrated at Shnorhali Armenian School. On this special day, the students participated in the Divine Liturgy with Ter Hovsep Karapetyan, during which the students prayed in gratitude and praise of their mothers, they honored the role that their mothers play in their everyday lives and expressed great appreciation for the unconditional love and affection that their mothers have bestowed upon them.
After the Liturgy, with the help of our teachers and Shnorhali Fathers’ Club, our students invited their mothers to join them in a Mothers’ Day appreciation picnic, during which students recited poems, read their heartfelt and deepest wishes to express their love and gratitude, and presented their mothers with flowers, and cards. First-grade students, with the help of their teacher Susanna Avakyan, created paintings for their mothers.
Students also celebrated Teachers Appreciation Week by showering their teachers with flowers, gifts of love, and greeting cards.
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Shnorhali School Lenten Good Deed
The Shnorhali School sponsored a sock drive during lent to benefit local homeless men. Socks are the number one requested clothing item in homeless shelters. The students publicized the effort via a bulletin board, decorated with paper socks they created. The school collected 88 pairs of socks. The socks were donated to the S.O.M.E non-profit (some.org), which serves needy people in the D.C. metro area.
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Shnorhali School Chess Tournament
St. Mary Shnorhali Armenian School invited all young people in our community from ages 7 to 13 to join in the end-of-year Chess Tournament. The Tournament took place at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church on May 15th (1st round) and May 22nd (2nd round), both dates started at 2 pm.
For the past several months, Shnorhali School’s Chess Club under the supervision and guidance of its Head Coach Ohan Semirjyan has been providing instructions so that our children could explore and understand the beauty of chess and help sharpen young curious minds. Ohan focused on teaching students how to think critically and to learn and discover attack moves, sacrifices, traps, and many other chess tricks. Chess is the gymnastics of the mind, and it is a great sport to develop critical thinking skills and concentration.
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Graduation Celebration
The ACYOA Juniors came together on Saturday. May 14th to celebrate their 2022 graduates and join together for one last night of fun before the summer break. With the generous hospitality of the Seferian Family, teens and parents enjoyed a wonderful evening of delicious food, games and fellowship with a special presentation for our Seniors. Congratulations to our graduates: Julie Tilimian, David Sahakian, Shaunt Festekjian, Ani Mkrtchyan, and Sosie Scott, who were each presented with a special gift of an icon of St. Mary by Yeretzkin Jennifer. All enjoyed a special video of the year's activities and afterward the teens had fun playing games. Congratulations to all our graduates and we wish them well in the next chapter of their lives.
We also would like to express special appreciation to Avedis, Anna, Hovsep and Alek Seferian for so warmly opening their home and hosting this wonderful event!! The ACYOA Juniors are appreciative and thankful for all of the parents and families throughout this year who have supported and provided them the opportunity to have fun while fulfilling their mission to serve our Lord through service to our Church and community. The book of Hebrews implores us, "Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." And the families that have provided support to our ACYOA Junior have lived this teaching firsthand. Thank you and May our Lord bless you all for your service to our youth. For more information on the ACYOA Juniors, please email stmaryyouthdc@gmail.com.
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Spring Food Festival
Our May Spring Food Festival was a great success after coming back from a two-year-long hiatus due to the pandemic. We would like to extend our greatest appreciation to all Women’s Guild Members and Volunteers for donating their time and efforts. Without their tireless work, this event would not be possible.
The extensive preparations, planning, and several workshops paid off to make this three-day-long Festival a success. This was a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together while enjoying every moment. At the end of the day, our faces may have been physically tired however the pictures show the happiness and joy that was in the air.
Our appreciation is also extended to our supportive neighborhood and repeat visitors from the community who always express their gratitude for homemade and traditional Armenian cuisine.
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Women's Guild Ascension Celebration
On Sunday, May 29, the St. Mary Women's Guild held its annual celebration for the Feast of Ascension (Hampartzoom). This beautiful Feast commemorates the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven, which occurred 40 days after His Resurrection.
After Der Hayr opened in prayer, over 70 parishioners in attendance enjoyed a delicious lunch and participated in a "Hampatrzoom Trivia '' game and traditional Vijag. The event concluded with a sing-a-long led by our talented and gracious Choir leader, Edita Kalayjian, and Deacon Garegin Vardanyan.
The Women's Guild would like to offer special appreciation to Edita and Garegin for their support and to all those parishioners who came out for this special event of Christian fellowship and fun.
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AVAK Society and Gift Shop Middle Eastern Carry-Out Event
On May 1st the Ararat AVAK Society and Gift Shop Committees held their second Annual Middle Eastern Carry-Out Event. Thank you to all of those who supported this event and who in return were grateful to receive a delicious taste of home!
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Volunteers Corner
Once again our wonderful volunteers answered the call to service on May 3rd. Their dedication to facilitating the process of stuffing envelopes for our annual mass mailing is greatly appreciated. We truly appreciate each and every one of you. THANK YOU!!
For those who are interested, we are always in need of helping hands. Please contact the church office and provide us with your information.
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Garden Guild Corner
We would like to invite you all to come and enjoy the beautiful landscape of our church grounds. We are grateful for the continued efforts of our Garden Guild members. A special word of appreciation to Takuhi Safakian who replenished the pots with fresh plants and planted 20 plus Easter Lilies around the church. Stay tuned for our Second Annual Wine and Cheese Garden reception.
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Baptism and Confirmation
May 7, 2022
Leta Drorian King
Daughter of Stuart Dean and Elma Sakian King
Godparents: Aaron Graybill and Arsine Sakian
May 29, 2022
Sevan Shahverdian
Son of Oshin and Arda Shahverdian
Godfather: Raffi Boghosian
Godmother: Lara Dermenjian
May God bless our newly-baptized with His love and may His protection and guidance always be with them.
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Wedding
May 19, 2022
Ryan Anthony Patino and Kathleen Teresa Dailey
Parents: Francisco Ramon and Haiganoush Naltchadjian Patino, Lawrence and Patricia Dailey Lewis
Best Man: Chris Sanchez
Maid of Honor: Justine Polsky
Congratulations and may God make the newly married couple worthy of the desirable crown of Holy Matrimony.
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Funeral
May 2, 2022
Armen Sargsyan
Beloved Husband of Susanna Sargsyan; Loving Father to Suren (Galina), Narine (Tom) Sargsyan, Lilit (Davit) Sargsyan; Devout grandfather to Armen, Maria, Antonio, Mila, Lucy, and Lusine; and Brother to Ashot Sargsyan and Tigran Sargsyan.
May 9, 2022
Parkoohy Hoorizad Maroonian
Parkoohy is survived by her five Children: Emma, Hasmik, Ashot, Gegel, and Knar. Ten Grandchildren (in order of age); Ofelya, Melinda, Louis, Ani, Leana, Angineh, Aris, Areen, Dany, and Anais. She is also survived by 17 Great-Grandchildren: Lillian, Annais, Eileen, Patrick, Tedrick, Leo, Nazely, Narineh, Alek, Aram, Noela, Evanna, Adela, Melanie, Leo, Emma, & Gabriella.
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Hokehankists - Requiem Services
May 6, 2022
For the Soul of: Armen Sargsyan (7th Day)
Requested by: Susanna Sargsyan; Suren (Galina), Narine (Tom) Sargsyan, Lilit (Davit) Sargsyan; Ashot Sargsyan and Tigran Sargsyan and Families
May 15, 2022
For the Soul of: Tsolak Kandayan
Requested by: Lianna Vanoyan and Vanoyan Family (in Arevik, Gyumri, and Yerevan, Armenia)
For the Soul of: William E. Docter (Ervant Hekimian)
Requested by: WED Committee, Parish Council Committee, and Der Hovsep Karapetyan
For the Soul of: Avak Yuri Akopov (1st Anniversary)
Requested by: Aida Akopov (Wife), Laoura, and Albert (Daughter and Son). Valeri Akopov (Brother), Asmik, Sima, and Kristina
For the Soul of: Siranush (Sima) Akopov( 10th Anniversary)
Requested by: Valeri Akopov (Son), Asmik (Daughter-in-Law), Sima, and Kristina (Grandchildren), Aida Akopov (Daughter-in-Law), Laoura, and Albert Akopov (Grandchildren)
May 29, 2022
For the Soul of: Anahit Movsesyan
Requested by: Arshak, Zoya, Lilit, Ruzan, and Gagik Ghazarayn
For the Souls of: Maisa Popova, Valeri Andriasov, Anna Popova, Alexander Popov, Svetlana Markaryan
Requested by: Anna and Avedis Seferian
For the Soul of: Jerry Hekimian
Requested by: Margot Hekimian and Family
For the Souls of: Araxi Bostanian Kobrin, Sarkis and Esther Bostanian, Dikran and Armina Bostanian, John, Elizabeth, Joyce Elizabeth Shanlian, Avedis and Kohar Shanlian, Kerop and Sarah Shanlian
Requested by: Melanie Kobrin
May God rest their Souls in peace and may His loving favor be with their Loved Ones.
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St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden Street N.W, Washington, DC 20016
202-363-1923 / www.stmaryaac.org
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