ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH 

MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER

October 2024

St. Mary Armenian Church’s 76th Annual Fall Food Festival:

A Celebration of Armenian Heritage and Community

From October 4-6, 2024, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church hosted its 76th Annual Fall Food Festival, transforming the church grounds into a vibrant celebration of Armenian food and culture. The event was a tremendous success, drawing in thousands of attendees from the local community and beyond, all eager to experience the rich flavors, music, and traditions of Armenia.

This beloved festival, a highlight of the church calendar year, featured a diverse menu of mouth-watering Armenian dishes. Guests enjoyed everything from savory lamb and chicken kabob platters, paired with pilaf and salad, to a selection of traditional a la carte items like yalanchi, eech, boreg, and more. We added to the menu traditional Armenian “khorovadz” platter, which received many praises. Sweet treats such as baklava, cheese kadayif, simit, and haskanoush provided a delightful end to the culinary experience, especially authentic Artsakh Gata/Nazook leaving everyone with a taste of Armenia’s rich culinary heritage.

Beyond the food, the festival was filled with entertainment that showcased Armenian cultural pride. Live music and dance performances brought energy and joy to the event, engaging the crowd and highlighting the beauty of Armenian traditions. We are grateful to our parishioners who shared their musical talents from the youngest to the seasoned musicians. Shnorhali School students, Narek Bell Choir, Hayi Hoki Dance Ensemble, Sevak Stepanyan on Electric Guitar, Talar Berberian on Cello, Karine Koroukian on the piano and Christine Kharazian on the violin. St Mary Gift Store, the silent auction, and various vendors offered unique opportunities to explore exclusive items, goods, and services.

We extend our gratitude to all our business support. We encourage you to seek out their services whenever you are in need of such businesses. To see the business sponsors' click here.

The success of the festival would not have been possible without the countless volunteers and supporters who dedicated their time and talents. Their hard work ensured that every aspect of the festival ran smoothly, creating a welcoming and festive atmosphere for all.

The Parish Council of St. Mary Armenian Church extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us for this memorable weekend. We are grateful for the community’s support and look forward to welcoming everyone back next year for another celebration filled with food, culture, and fellowship!

St. Mary Armenian Church Celebrates the Blessing of Water with Newly Consecrated Muron

On Sunday, October 6, following the Divine Liturgy, St. Mary Armenian Church held a solemn ceremony of the Blessing of Water using the newly consecrated Holy Muron. This special event marked a spiritual milestone for our parish community, as we received and welcomed the new Muron, a symbol of hope and renewal for all Armenians.

The Holy Muron, sanctified at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin by His Holiness Karekin II, the 132nd Catholicos of All Armenians, carries profound significance. During the sanctification on September 28, His Holiness declared the Muron as a spiritual turning point, a beacon of hope and revival for the Armenian people, especially during times of challenge.

Der Hovsep traveled to the Holy Etchmiadzin to participate in the historic event of both the blessing of the Holy Muron and the rededication of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. Upon his return, he also traveled to St. Vartan Cathedral in New York on October 4 to receive the Holy Muron on behalf of our parish. In his sermon on this occasion, Der Hayr stressed the significance of the Holy Muron as not merely a sacred oil but as a divine seal that unites us with the Holy Spirit. He reminded the congregation that the Muron is a powerful reminder of our spiritual inheritance, sealing each of us as children of God and filling our lives with hope and renewal.

The Blessing of Water, conducted with the new Muron, was a moving and powerful expression of faith. Parishioners gathered to witness the ceremony, feeling the renewal and spiritual uplift that the presence of the Muron brought. The service reminded us of our shared strength and steadfastness as a community, united in faith and tradition.

St. Mary Armenian Church extends heartfelt gratitude to all who participated and joined in this sacred celebration. May the new Muron inspire a spirit of revival in our hearts and renew our hope as we continue to stand together in faith, facing challenges with resilience and unity.

St. Mary Junior ACYOA Participates in Juniors Fall Sports Weekend

Over the Columbus Day weekend, from October 11-14, more than 20 teens from St. Mary Junior ACYOA joined hundreds of young participants from across the Eastern Diocese at the ACYOA Juniors Fall Sports Weekend. Hosted by the ACYOA Juniors chapter of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church in Wynnewood, PA, this year’s event, themed “Flying Hye,” brought together over 200 teenagers and 22 chaperones from 15 Diocesan parishes for a memorable weekend of faith, fellowship, and friendly competition.

The journey began early on Friday, as our enthusiastic group departed from the St. Mary Church parking lot in Washington, D.C., excited for the weekend ahead. Upon arrival, they joined participants from across the Diocese for an evening prayer service led by Fr. Armash Bagdasarian of the host parish, along with Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan, Fr. Hakob Gevorkyan, and our very own Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan.

Saturday was packed with exciting sports competitions held at Radnor Middle School. Our St. Mary teams competed in volleyball and basketball, and some individual sports showed great energy, teamwork, and resilience throughout each game. Though our teams did not advance to the finals, they played with determination and pride, embodying the spirit of camaraderie that defines the ACYOA community. In addition to the games, participants had the chance to enjoy famous Philly Cheesestakes for lunch, and even witnessed a surprise helicopter landing nearby, adding a touch of excitement to the day.

The fun didn’t end with the competitions. On Saturday night, our teens joined the rest of the ACYOA Juniors for a vibrant dance and games at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church, where new friendships were made, and old ones strengthened. Sunday began with a beautiful badarak, bringing everyone together in worship. The weekend culminated in a delightful Awards Banquet Dinner on Sunday evening, prepared with love by the Wynnewood parish’s Women’s Guild, featuring live Armenian music that had everyone dancing and celebrating.

A special thanks go to our dedicated chaperones and organizers, Becky Bagdasarian, Yn. Jennifer Karapetyan, Sintia Petrosian, Kareen Guiragossian, and Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, whose support and encouragement made this trip possible for our youth. Their presence ensured a safe and joyful experience for all involved.

We are incredibly proud of our Junior ACYOA members for representing St. Mary with grace, spirit, and enthusiasm. We look forward to future opportunities to unite with our brothers and sisters from across the Diocese, sharing in the joy of fellowship, faith, and friendship.

Primate Holds Virtual Meeting with the St. Mary Parish Council to Strategize Future Growth

This Thursday, the St. Mary Parish Council members participated in a virtual meeting with the Primate, Bishop Mesrop, aimed at fostering collaboration and strategizing for future growth and engagement within the Church. Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian and Diocesan Council member Mona Karoghlanian also attended the meeting.

The gathering began with an opening prayer led by Bishop Mesrop, which set a spiritual and reflective tone for the discussion. This was followed by a warm welcome from our Pastor, who introduced the Primate and highlighted the importance of the occasion. Each Parish Council member then introduced themselves, shared what makes our parish unique, and reflected on influential figures in their lives.

In his introductory remarks, Bishop Mesrop outlined the objectives of the meeting, emphasizing the need for proactive engagement and collaboration between the Diocese and local parishes. He introduced the Diocesan Council liaison Mona Karoghlanian, who facilitated the next portion of the meeting, focused on parish profiles and collaborative discussions.

A key part of the session included presentations from selected parish members Shoghig Sahakyan, Sean McClure and Svetlana Hovhannisyan, who shared inspiring examples of outreach, youth engagement, and the greeters ministry. These presentations highlighted ongoing efforts to make the Church more relevant and welcoming, both within the parish and in the broader local community. A short video, "Be My Witness," was shown to further underscore these themes and inspire new ideas for ministry.

The meeting concluded with a summary of key takeaways. Both Bishop Mesrop and Der Hovsep shared closing remarks, expressing gratitude for the collaborative spirit shown during the discussions and outlining next steps for continued growth and engagement. The meeting ended with a closing prayer, asking for guidance and blessings on future endeavors.

Presentation on Technological Education Foundation

On October 20, our church had the pleasure of hosting a presentation on the Technological Education Foundation (TEF) Armenia. The presentation focused on the Armenian Code Academy and TEF's inspiring mission to promote sustainable development across Armenia by making high-quality technological education accessible to all. TEF is dedicated to empowering a diverse community of learners by offering excellent educational programs in emerging technologies and digital skills, designed for people of all ages and backgrounds. Their goal is to equip individuals with the skills needed for meaningful careers in the tech industry and to become informed citizens capable of addressing complex challenges.

A key part of their work is the Scholarship Fund, launched in 2022 with the #Tech4All initiative, followed by the #Tech4Artsakh program. Through these efforts, TEF has provided free, high-quality tech education to over 200 individuals from various regions, 500+ beneficiaries from Artsakh, as well as more than 100 war veterans and people with disabilities. Their impact has been significant, helping many to build better futures through technology. To learn more about their work or to support their initiatives, visit tef.am.

An Insightful Lecture by Julia Hintlian on “Parallel Faiths and Fates."

On Sunday, October 27, St. Mary Armenian Church hosted an enriching lecture titled Parallel Faiths and Fates: Armenians and Syriacs in Their Ancestral Lands, Past and Present, presented by Julia Hintlian, a doctoral student from Harvard University specializing in the History of Christianity. The event followed the Badarak, drawing a well-engaged audience to the Church Social Hall.

Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan introduced Julia Hintlian, highlighting her extensive academic background and dedication to studying late ancient Christian traditions. Julia’s lecture examined the intertwined histories of the Armenian and Syriac communities, emphasizing their shared cultural heritage and the enduring resilience of these communities in the face of historical and contemporary challenges in their ancestral lands.

Julia also shared a personal narrative from her summer trip to these ancestral lands once densely populated by Armenians and Syriacs. Her journey included visits to sacred sites that still survive, offering a glimpse into the ancient spiritual heritage preserved there. She spoke movingly about encountering the few remaining Armenian and Syriac families who continue to live in these regions, steadfastly maintaining their faith and traditions despite immense challenges. Her reflections on the trip added a vivid and heartfelt dimension to the lecture, bringing history to life and illustrating the resilience of these communities.

This well-attended lecture is one of several planned for this year, where scholars from our community and beyond are invited to share their knowledge and edify attendees. St. Mary remains committed to fostering a vibrant intellectual and cultural environment, enriching our understanding of history, faith, and heritage.

Celebration of the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross at St. Mary

On Sunday, October 27, St. Mary Armenian Church celebrated the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross, commemorating the 4th-century finding of the True Cross by Queen Helena. The Badarak was celebrated by Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan and presided over by Archbishop Vicken Aykazian.

Fr. Hovsep, in his sermon, reflected on the spiritual depth of the feast. He emphasized that the discovery of the Cross is not only a historical milestone but also a reminder of the enduring power of God’s love and presence in the lives of believers. As he shared, the Cross represents God’s immeasurable love, a victory over sin and despair, and a path leading believers from darkness to light. He encouraged the attendees to view the Cross as a symbol of hope and healing, and to carry its message into daily life through acts of kindness, gratitude, and love. Just as Queen Helena’s faith led her to the True Cross, he reminded everyone that the spirit of discovery can guide them to find Christ’s presence in everyday moments.

The Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross stands as a timeless reminder for all to seek and embrace the power of the Cross in their lives.

Baptism and Confirmation

October 13, 2024

Mia Serene Prado

Daughter of Jonathan Prado Valdivia and Maria Arzoumanian

Godparents: Ara Arabian and Jessica Demirji

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

Funerals

October 5, 2024

Sebouh Baghdassarian

Sebouh is survived by his children Linda and Rick, Marie Louise, his granddaughter Lucine, his older brothers Hrant and Dickran, his younger sister Denise, and his nephews, nieces, and godsons.

October 23, 2024

Margaret Varujan

Margaret is survived by her family members.

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