ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH 
SHNORHALI MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
October 2022
Our Food is Our Glue; Link between the Past and Future

St. Mary's Fall Food Festival once again was a huge success. The food festival always takes the effort of so many, and we are grateful for everyone who came together in our community to make this year's event successful. 

St. Mary Women's Guild supported by an army of volunteers worked tirelessly to prepare the delicacies everyone enjoyed. 

Many heartfelt thanks to our Parish Council members who worked behind the scenes before, during, and after the festival. We could not have had a successful event without the support of many individuals who answered the call to service, our sponsors, and in particular, we are grateful to the following businesses for their generous contributions; Asadur's Market, Itaberco, Yerevan Market & Cafe, Mediterranean Kitchen Lahmajun. 

The Bake Table once more was filled with a variety of homemade goodies prepared with love by the Women's Guild and some donors from our parish. 

During the festival, our church’s Gift Store committee and volunteers were available to attend to the many curious and interested customers. We would like to also extend our appreciation to everyone who made this yet another successful endeavor.
 
Thank you to all our vendors who participated and shared their unique products with our festival attendees. We look forward to seeing you all during the Spring 2023 Food Festival.

We all came together in the spirit of togetherness working for the same cause without seeking applause. 
Women's Guild Autumn Gathering 

The Women's Guild held a Fall Gathering on October 15 at Lone Oak Farm in Olney, MD. Sharing in fellowship and fun, women enjoyed a picnic lunch in a picturesque setting. This wonderful afternoon gave women an opportunity to relax and reconnect with each other after weeks of hard work at the Food Festival. An amazing time was had by all! For more information on Women's Guild activities or to register to be on the email list, please contact stmarywgdc@gmail.com
ACYOA Juniors Fall Fire Pit Night

The ACYOA teen youth group met on Saturday, October 22nd at St Mary for a night of food, fun, and fire.  

The teens started the evening off by creating posters to publicize their Hat/Scarf/Glove drive, which will benefit needy people in DC.  Then they played some silly games, dividing into two groups boys vs girls. They were tied up until the boys won based on the candy corn straw game. After cooking hot dogs and s'mores by the portable outdoor fire pits, they participated in a Bible study about sin and temptation.
Thanks to all the moms who came and helped with the event! Click Here to Vie
A Visit from Cambridge Middle School; Baltimore, MD.

Being Christ-centered is a core value at Cambridge School. It was such a joy to welcome the Cambridge Middle School fourth graders along with their teachers and some parents to our church on Tuesday, October 25. The main purpose of their visit was to learn more about the Armenian Church and its heritage.

Father Hovsep, welcomed the students with open arms and presented a short seminar on the Armenian Church, its history, dogmas, and liturgy. He stressed the importance of faith and the significance of their commitment to Christ. The children, their teachers, and chaperons left our church inspired and educated, committing to come back again. ick Here to View Phot 
Celebrating the Gift of the Robert W. Thomson Research Collection 

The Institute for the Study of Eastern Christianity and The Institute for Christian Oriental Research at the Catholic University of America celebrated the gift of the Robert W.Thomson Research Collection on October 28. 
 
The event was paired with an exhibit on Armenian books in the Catholic Univesity of America Collections. Reflecting on the history of Armenian studies at CUA, this exhibit also featured the Robert W. Thomson Collection, donated in 2020.

The attendees enjoyed the celebration and program, which included an opening prayer by His Eminence Abp. Vicken Aykazian; remarks by Thomson family members, Fr. Mark Morozowich, Dr. Robin Darling Young, and Dr. Monica Blanchard of Catholic University. The day's keynote speaker was His Grace Bishop Daniel Findikyan, who spoke of Dr. Robert W. Thomson's significant contribution to the field of Armenian Studies.

The evening concluded with a lavish reception at the Heritage Hall of the CUA.
Semi-Academic Talk with Nareg Seferian

On Sunday, October 30th, at St. Mary Cultural Hall, many of our parishioners enjoyed a semi-academic talk on the current situation in the province of Siunik presented by Nareg Seferian, a Doctoral Candidate, at the School of Public and International Affairs, at Virginia Tech.

Nareg began his presentation by highlighting historical developments of the borders, population, and history of the Artsakh and Syunik regions. He spoke about his experience living in the Syunik region for a few months in 2021 while conducting his research. He shared interesting stories of his encounter with the local population and their perspective of what is happening in that region today.

We thank Nareg for his insightful presentation and wish him success in completing his Doctoral Dissertation.
Baptism and Confirmation

October 23, 2022
Maxim Hakobyan
Son of Azat and Iren Aloyan Hakobyan
Godparents: Vartan Sarkisian and Asdghig Ayvazian

October 29, 2022
Emin Tepfer
Son of Brian and Nyiri Vartanian Tepfer
Godparents: Arpa Vartanian and Lauren Tepfer


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

October 16, 2022
Robert Hayduk & Christina Marie Sahakian
Parents: Natasha Conti and David & Annette Sahakian
Best Man: Alexander Sahakian

Congratulations and may God make the newly married couple worthy of the desirable crown of Holy Matrimony.
Funeral
October 10, 2022
Maria Ghazarian
She is survived by her beloved husband of 29 years, Kevork Ghazarian; by his daughter Taleen Ghazarian; and by her family in Germany: sister Sylvia Korpak and her nieces and nephew Mirella Scherer, Alexandra Ernamann, and Roland Korpak.

October 18
Asdghig Kazanjian
She is survived by Hrayr, Suzanne, Ari Kazanjian, Christoper, Aline, Araxi Lylozian, Vartkes, Houry, Tamar, and Alex Kazanjian; Hrant &Vera Margossian, Noelle Margossian, and Families

October 21, 2022
Kirkor Cimen
He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Seyran Cimen; by his son Senyurt Chimenian and his wife Rossi, and son Matthew; by his daughter Ani Cherot and her husband Bevin and children Isabelle and Lewis; by his brother Gazer Cimen and his wife Surpik.
Hokehankists - Requiem Services
October 2, 2022
For the souls of:
Maestro Arsen Sayan (4th Anniversary) 
parents and sister: Haygaz & Manouchag Pilikian, Koharig Themejian
Requested by:
Catherine Sayan

For the soul of:
Emma Baldjian ( 1st Anniversary)
Requested by:
Arlin and Mary Diratsuyan

For the soul of:
Ruben Hayrapetyan ( 40 Days)
Requested by:
Karine Muradyan

For the souls of:
Asadur Tufeckgian( 1st Anniversary)
& Anna Bolek ( 1st Anniversary)
Requested by:
Janet Tufeckgian, Asadur Tufeckgi & Sona Sontheimer 

For the souls of:
Apraham Hovsepian, Nazar Nirsisian & Vartuhi Nirsessian
Requested by:
Hovsep Hovsepian, Niever Nirsisian-Hovsepian, Apraham & Christine Hovsepian, and family 

October 16, 2022
For the Soul of:
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian (10th Anniversary)

For the Soul of: 
Elfrida Kartashyan (40 Days)
Requested by:
Arthur and Naira Babayan, and her grandchildren, Mariam, Joann, Ani, and Lilit

For the Soul of :
Mr. Vartkess M Balian (14th Anniversary)
Requested by:
Mrs. Rita Balian, sons; Raffi Balian, and Sevag(Nairy) Balian, and four children, sister; Marie Balian, and nieces Rita and Lena Koudoussian

For the Soul of :
Mareta Vartanain ( 7 Days)
Requested by:
Vartanian Family

October 23, 2022
For the Souls of :
Sarkis Pakoyan ( 1st Anniversary) & All the deceased members of the Pakoyan & Bozajian families
Requested by:
Nairy Pakoyan and Kohar & Harutyun Apel

For the Soul of: 
Asdghig Kazanjian(40 Days)
Requested by:
Hrayr, Suzanne, Ari Kazanjian, Christoper, Aline, Araxi Lylozian, Vartkes, Houry, Tamar, and Alex Kazanjian; Hrant &Vera Margossian, Noelle Margossian, and Families

October 30
For the Soul of:
Haikouhi Koudoussian (1st Anniversary)
Requested by:
Koudoussian, Alexandrian, and Balian families

For the Soul of: 
Alfred Khachatryan (1st Anniversary)
Requested by:
Daughter, Armine Khachatryan, and grandchildren Arshak and Hayk Avetisyan

For the Soul of: 
Martin Hovhannisyan (7 Days)
Requested by:
Karine Isahakyan

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