St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
Address: 4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016
Tel: 202-363-1923
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Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak
On Sunday, September 26, Armenian Christians worldwide will mark the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak—an observance unique to the Armenian Church.
In the 7th century, a monk named Totig received a vision of a brilliant cross descending from Mount Varak in historic Armenia, and coming to rest on the monastery at the mountain’s foot. Totig raced to where the vision had led him, and there found a miraculous Christian relic: a fragment of the True Cross of Jesus Christ!
How had it gotten there? The relic had been brought to Armenia by St. Hripsime, in the late 3rd century, during her flight to find refuge from the persecutions of pagan Rome. When St. Hripsime was martyred by King Drtad, the hiding place of the cross was forgotten—and the holy relic had languished in its secret place for nearly 300 years, before being found again by the monk Totig.
To commemorate this discovery, the catholicos of the time, St. Nersess the Builder, established a feast day. And the Holy Cross became a relic of great power in Armenia, moving from Varak to Sepastia and finally to Van, where it still could be seen by pilgrims—until the time of the Genocide.
Click here to read more about the Armenian Church’s Season of the Holy Cross.
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HOKEHANKIST REQUIEM SERVICE |
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SUNDAY SCHEDULE
SEPTEMBER 26, 2021
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For the Soul of :
Berjouhi Kazanjian
Requested by:
The Kazanjian-Law Family (Ani, Larry, Jennie & Peter)
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The hospitality table is hosted by:
Law family in loving memory of Berjouhi Kazanjian
(9th Anniversay of her death)
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To request a Hokehankist/Requiem Service
Please contact the Church Office by 12:00 Noon on Thursday
202-363-1923 or
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Morning Service
10:00 AM
Holy Badarak
10:30 AM
Celebrant
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan
Ushers
Ms. Sara Arabian
Parish Council Members on Duty
Dr. Catherine Sahakian
& Mr. Robert George
Choir
Mrs. Edita Kalayjian
Organist
Mrs. Karine Muradyan
Bible Readings
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Prayer of the Week
Lord, please keep watch over your faithful people and the holy soil of Artsakh and Armenia, now and always. Grant them strength, and lead us together through the present time of trial.
Guard us, O Christ our God, in peace under the shadow of your holy and venerable Cross. Deliver us from visible and invisible enemies. Make us worthy to give you thanks and to glorify you together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.
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Please tune in to St. Mary YouTube channel for the upcoming services and Badaraks |
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Shnorhali School News
Shnorhali School was very excited to welcome our children back to school. We were thrilled to see the children return with their sweet smiles, witnessing their learning inside the classrooms, and listening to their lively chattering and delightful laughter in corridors.
Safety for our children is top of mind and we continue to enhance the health and safety of our students and teachers. We have equipped each of our classrooms with individual air purifiers. The air purifiers will help to further sanitize and reduce pollutants, allergens, and harmful chemicals, and will reduce the chances of airborne diseases, while at the same time keeping the air in our classrooms both fresher and healthier for our students and teachers.
Thank you to all our teachers and volunteers who have made our first day back amazing! We encourage all parents to take advantage of Shnorhali School's teachings as we celebrate our Armenian legacy and traditions that uphold our religious and national heritage.
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ST. MARY 73rd ANNUAL ARMENIAN FOOD FESTIVAL
CARRY-OUT EDITION
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Friday, October 1
Pick-up time 12 pm to 6 pm
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Saturday, October 2
Pick-up time 12 pm to 6 pm
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Sunday, October 3
Pick-up time 12:30 to 2:30 pm
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Our To Go Items Include
Lamb and Chicken Kebab Platters
Eggplant Delight / Eech
Red Lentil Soup / Tepsi (Pan) Boureg
Hummus and Pita Bread / Rice/Bulgur Pilaf
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Plus Our Homemade Baked Goods
Kadayif / Bourma / Gata
or
Call the Church Office
202-363-1923
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Come and Enjoy Our Outdoor Vendors Saturday and Sunday!
Be Sure to Visit Our Gift Shop with New Arrivals!
Pick up your order at the side-door entrance on 42nd St.
A church volunteer will confirm your order and provide your meal / please bring the order confirmation
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Dear Parishioners,
Please help St. Mary Armenian Church prepare food for the Fall Food Festival.
Please sign up for any and all days that work with your schedule.
Click on the button below to view the online sign-up sheet.
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Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome Back! We are looking forward to an outstanding 2021-2022 academic year. To make the journey fun and to give students an opportunity to create new bonds with their Armenian classmates, the Shnorhali School administration is inviting all students to participate in a fun BACK to SCHOOL event and BOOK FAIR.
The event will take place next Sunday, September 26, right after the class. There will be Armenian-themed art tables, games, and music. Students will have an opportunity to participate in a contest called “Me, my Homeland and my Church” and learn a short Armenian Dance.
There will also be a Book Fair fundraising during the next few weeks, during which in return for $1-$5 donations per book, you will be able to choose any of the Western and Eastern Armenian books we may have available on the table.
We are asking all parents to consider joining the School Board and our volunteer team by filling the forms below. We have to build a strong school community to provide a safer, and more improved learning environment for our children. Our children will only benefit from your participation. Your presence in their school life will amplify their self-confidence, improve self-esteem, and enhance their desire for academic participation.
Sincerely,
Nunik Nishanian
Shnorhali School Principal
St. Mary Armenian Church
Washington, D.C. 20016
Phone: (703) 835-1181
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St. Mary Armenian Church
Legacy Brick Drive
Buy A Brick ... Leave A Legacy
Buy a brick and leave your legacy at St. Mary Armenian Church.
When you buy a brick, it is then engraved with your specified words or message, installed in front of the church, and becomesa memory to view for years to come.
Laser engraved bricks will replace the existing bricks in our Church plaza,
in front of our beautiful Khatchkar, and can be dedicated to those
you wish to remember, honor Loved Ones, commemorate a
special milestone like a baptism or wedding, or
acknowledge an organization or business.
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A Day of Infamy, One Year Later
One year ago, on September 27, 2020, Armenian faithful across the world expected to greet the morning in a spirit of joy, to celebrate the unique Armenian Church feast day of the Holy Cross of Varak.
Instead, we awakened to the horror of a vicious attack on our homeland, including the shelling bombardment of the entire border of the Artsakh republic, and its capital city of Stepanakert.
In a message to the public, Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan called it “a true Day of Infamy in the modern history of the Armenian people: an unprovoked surprise attack by the hostile neighboring country of Azerbaijan.” It was the first of many urgent appeals that would follow in the ensuing 44 days of war and catastrophe for our peaceful, innocent people living in their ancient homeland of Armenia and Artsakh.
A year later, we are profoundly aware that the events of autumn 2020 were part of a struggle that has been going on for generations: extending back to the time of Artsakh’s independence; back to the time of the Genocide; further back to generations of which we, the living, are only dimly aware—but which are known, and remembered, by our merciful Lord. It is to Him we pray today:
Lord Jesus, our God and Savior: Please keep watch over your faithful people and the holy soil of Arstakh and Armenia. We pray for the preservation of this small but precious homeland you have given us. We pray for relief from the constant tension of living among hostile enemies.
Remember every precious Armenian soul that has fallen in our ongoing struggle. Bestow your peace upon their loving families. Let it never be said that their heroic sacrifices were made in vain.
Inspire all of your children among us—every Armenian soul across the world—to stand in resolute solidarity with Armenia and Artsakh.
Above all, continue to bless, protect, and strengthen our sacred homeland, its peace-loving citizens, and its courageous defenders—now and always, and to the end of this age. Amen.
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Watch VEMKAR’s First Online Adult Christian Education Episode
What is Repentance? What makes it a sacrament? What does Christ expect from his followers when he calls them to repentance?
These were among the questions addressed in the first online session of the Adult Christian Education program, launched this week by the Eastern Diocese’s Digital ministries platform, VEMKAR.
Bishop Daniel led the discussion on Tuesday, September 21, titled, “Turning from Sorrow: Repentance and Confession in the Armenian Church.”
There are 12 online sessions in all scheduled for this season’s Adult Education program. See below under Events to register for upcoming weekly sessions.
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FAR Helps a Family Stay Together After Tragedy
Earlier this year, 11-year-old Ruzanna and 7-year-old Ashot Hovakimyan received their very first stipend through the Fund for Armenian Relief’s “Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program” (CASP). The stipend will provide them with financial support raised from patrons in the U.S.—every year until they turn 18.
Like many of the recipients of CASP stipends, the story of the Hovakimyan children has not always been a happy one. After the tragic death of their father Artur seven years ago, their mother Ofelya moved the family from Artsakh to Sisian province, to be close to her parents. Ofelya recently found a job as a cleaner at the Sisian Cultural House, but her salary iss hardly enough to make ends meet, even with the state child support benefit she receives.
When she heard about CASP, she applied for the sake of her children. Now that they are CASP beneficiaries, Ofelya can afford some basics for Ashot and Ruzanna, like clothing and school supplies. The family can also finally put some savings away for the children’s education and training. Read more on FAR’s blog.
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING FEASTS AND EVENTS |
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October
Armenian Cultural Month
October 1-3
Fall Food Festival
October 23
Bolsahay Cultural Night
October 24
Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross
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November 21
Presentation of the Holy Mother-of-God to the Temple
November 25
Thanksgiving Day
December 9
Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary
December 12
St. Mary Church's 89th Anniversary
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PRAYERS FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR |
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Anne Andonian, Aram Andonian, Banous Mary Levon, Agopian David, Hripsime Apkarian, Lucy Badalian, Ellen Boudreau, Araxi Bozadjian, George Doris, Mari Dogum, Anahit Greene, Antaram Grigoryan, Susana Grigoryan, Simon Gukasyan, Karen Hatchik, Charles Hoke, Tamara Hramushina, Takvur Hubi, Jo-Anna Jacob, Edward Jamgochian, Yn. Anahid Kalayjian, Brig. Gen. Al Kaehn, Meline Kaehn, Michael Kolenick, Haigouhi Koudousian, Jack Kouyoumjian, Anahid Ghazarian Luka, Queen Manoogian, Susanna Mkrtchyan, Virginia (Corkigian) Mule, Paul Murad, Armen Mark Nostrant, Hacik Ozdul, Maisa Popova. Robert Schlee, Tamara Shatvoryan, Bob Semonian, Alyce Tamzarian, Mihran Tavoukjian, Marilyn Ziver.
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30 Եւ ապա երկնքի վրայ մարդու Որդու նշանը պիտի երեւայ, ու այդ ժամանակ երկրի բոլոր ազգերը լացուկոծ պիտի անեն եւ պիտի տեսնեն մարդու Որդուն, որ գալիս է երկնքի ամպերի վրայով՝ զօրութեամբ եւ բազում փառքով: 31 Եւ նա պիտի ուղարկի իր հրեշտակներին մեծ շեփորով, ու պիտի հաւաքեն նրա ընտրեալներին չորս կողմերից՝ երկնքի ծագերից մինչեւ միւս ծագերը: 32 Թզենո՛ւց սովորեցէք առակը. որովհետեւ երբ նրա ոստերը կակղեն, եւ տերեւը ցցուի, կիմանաք, որ ամառը մօտ է: 33 Նոյնպէս եւ դուք, երբ այս բոլորը տեսնէք, իմացէ՛ք, թէ մօտ է նա՝ դռների առաջ: 34 Ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ, որ այս սերունդը չպիտի անցնի, մինչեւ որ այս ամէնը կատարուի: 35 Երկինք եւ երկիր պիտի անցնեն, բայց իմ խօսքերը չպիտի անցնեն: 36 Բայց այդ օրուայ եւ ժամուայ մասին ոչ ոք չգիտէ. ո՛չ երկնքի հրեշտակները եւ ո՛չ էլ Որդին, այլ՝ միայն Հայրը:
Մատթեոսի 24.30-36
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 24.30-36
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Please Stay Current with Your Membership
St. Mary Church brings us together to worship, educate, and serve, yet we need your help to sustain this mission. We call upon you to renew, or become a new member, because dues are the largest part of our church income to help keep our beloved parish doors open.
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Your Membership
MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Help us fulfill our mission to sustain and grow our ministries, worship programs and activities to strengthen our church family for generations to come. Thank you for your generosity and support. To Learn More About Membership
To Become A Member
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Please check out newly arrived Armenian Souvenirs directly from Artsakh at our Gift Shop. |
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Before COVID 19 and before the 2020 aggression against free and democratic Armenian Artsakh, the number of tourists visiting our second Armenian homeland was nearing 50.000 tourists per year. Today, during the first six months of 2021, the number was less than 1.500. Artsakh’s economy has suffered significantly because of the war. At st Mary’s gift store, we sell souvenirs that arrived directly from Artsakh. By purchasing gifts from Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, we help the people of our homeland; we highlight that our solidarity.
Please visit our store or contact us if interested. We receive coffee-jazzve, souvenir-plates, souvenir magnets, and many more directly from Stepanakert.
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Our gift shop is furnished with distinctive and unique items from Armenians all over the world. Some of the items are Armenian crosses, jewelry, paintings, religious tiles and tapestry icons, children and adult books, T-shirts, hats, bags, Armenian CDs, Armenian artwork, and much more.
The Gift Shop is open every week after Sunday Church services and by appointment, call the church office at 202-363-1923 or send an e-mail to stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
Click here to see the items available for sale in the Gift Store .
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St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
Serves the Greater Washington, DC and Baltimore communities. Our mission is to proclaim and grow together in our Apostolic Faith in Christ Jesus and to sustain our Christian Armenian identity. We celebrate our long and enduring legacy,
the beautiful traditions of our religious and national heritage, with Christian servitude, and with love and reverence towards our Church.
We invite you and welcome you to be a part of our church,worship with us, and experience the true love of Christ as we grow together as a community.
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Signup / Stay Connected with St. Mary Church E-Newsletters and Correspondence.
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St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church relies on the generosity of individual donors so that it may continue ensuring service to God and fellowship to the Armenian Community. Your support is deeply appreciated.
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St. Mary Armenian Church, Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016 | stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
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See what's happening on our social site |
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