September 29

TOP STORY   

Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak

On Sunday, October 1, 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.

October 1, 2023

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Anna Seferian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Vazrik Nishanian

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Proverbs 3:18-26

Isaiah 65:22-25

Galatians 6:14-18

Matthew 24:30-36

Prayer for Artsakh

This Sunday, October 1st, St. Mary’s will conduct a "Prayer for Artsakh" service immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Concurrently, Armenian Churches globally will host their own "Prayer for Artsakh" ceremonies as part of local Sunday services. The synchronized prayers will resonate with unity and spiritual strength for the people of Artsakh across various Armenian Churches worldwide.

-------------------------------------------

To request a Hokehankist/Requiem Service 

Please contact the Church Office

by 12:00 Noon on Thursday

202-363-1923

or Click here to see the form

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.

Please tune in to St. Mary YouTube channel for the upcoming services and Badaraks

Blessing of Muron Postponed; Prayer for Artsakh to be Held Oct. 1

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin announced this week that the Blessing of the Holy Muron—the grand ecclesiastical celebration that had been scheduled to take place on October 1, 2023, at the Mother See—has now been postponed, and will not be going forward as planned.

This decision was made by the Armenian Church’s Supreme Spiritual Council, during a special meeting on September 22, presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The determination to postpone the Blessing of Muron ceremony was prompted by the circumstances unfolding in Artsakh. A new date for the blessing ceremony has not been announced.

However, in its stead, a different service will be held at Holy Etchmiadzin this Sunday, October 1: a pan-national “Prayer for Artsakh,” which will be offered as part of the Divine Liturgy at the Mother See.

Armenian churches throughout the world will likewise hold their own “Prayer for Artsakh” ceremonies on that day, during local Sunday services.

In the Eastern Diocese, all parishes will conduct the special prayer service at the close of the Divine Liturgy. (Parish leaders will be receiving special instructions shortly.)

That same occasion will see the launch of a Diocesan-wide fundraising effort to assist the refugees fleeing from Artsakh to Armenia. Please note that 100 percent of the fundraising proceeds will go to Holy Etchmiadzin for direct distribution to the Artsakh refugees. Contributions may be made out to the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, Memo: “Artsakh Refugee Fund.”

You can also click the following link to donate now using the Diocese’s secure server; select “Artsakh Refugee Fund” from the dropdown menu.

As noted in the Top Story above, despite the postponement of the Muron Blessing, the Episcopal Ordination service scheduled for Saturday, October 8 at Holy Etchmiadzin will go forward as planned.

Pictured above: His Holiness Karekin II led the prayers earlier this month, as elements used in the preparation of Holy Muron were blended with the anointing oil. The consecration of that mixture used in the church’s sacraments was scheduled for October 1 of this year; but the ceremony has been postponed to a later date (still to be announced) in light of developments in Artsakh.

Words of Reflection, Hope, and Thanks from our Primate

Before departing for Armenia on the evening of September 26, Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan wrote a message to the faithful of the Eastern Diocese, reflecting on his upcoming ordination as a bishop, and offering thoughts on the road ahead for our Diocese and our homeland.

“As I stand here in JFK Airport, about to embark on a deeply meaningful journey to Armenia for my ordination as bishop, my thoughts are consumed by the gravity of the moment and the situation facing our people in Artsakh,” he wrote.

“The skies may be clear here, but the atmosphere is clouded by the urgency and sorrows stemming from a land close to my heart. Refugees are pouring into Armenia, each carrying a heavy burden of loss, uncertainty, and yet an indomitable spirit that defines who we are as Armenians.”

He went on: “I go to Armenia not just to take on a title, but to embrace a responsibility. A responsibility to my faith, my people here at the Eastern Diocese, and most importantly, to God…. I thank the faithful people of the Eastern Diocese for the incredible trust and support placed in me. Your votes and prayers have elected me as your Primate, and it is this collective faith that propels me toward my ordination as bishop.”

That Episcopal Consecration service will take place on Sunday, October 8, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. At that time, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will ordain Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan and several other worthy priests as new bishops of the Armenian Church.

Then on Saturday, October 14, the faithful of our Diocese will welcome our Primate back home, as the newly ordained Bishop Mesrop celebrates his first episcopal badarak at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The entire public is invited to witness this joyous occasion. Parishes across our Diocese are arranging pilgrimages to St. Vartan Cathedral for the occasion (check with your local parish for details). Plans also call for the October 14 service to be broadcast over the Internet.

Fr. Mesrop concluded his message of this week: “So, it is with a heart full of gratitude and a soul committed to service that I depart today. Thank you for entrusting me with this ministry, and for being a constant source of inspiration and spiritual strength. Please keep me, and our suffering brothers and sisters in Artsakh, in your prayers.”

Click the following links:

• READ Fr. Mesrop’s entire message.
• VIEW a flyer for the October 14 badarak at St. Vartan Cathedral.

Summoning FAR's Resources #ForArtsakhtsis

Once again, Azerbaijan has attacked Artsakh, echoing the grim events of 2020. Last week, bombing and shelling was targeted at civilian and military citizens as well as communication lines. There are already hundreds of casualties, including children.

The new realities for Artsakh are heartbreaking, but we now must turn our focus on its people, as they are forced from the native land they defended at great cost. Thousands have made the difficult journey already. In the coming weeks, as the weather gets colder, thousands more will be forced to relocate to the Republic of Armenia.

The Fund for Armenian Relief’s Ayo! platform asks for your trust and support, as they launch an emergency campaign to meet the needs that arise. FAR will quickly mobilize to meet them with the funds Ayo! raises.

Donate here: www.weareayo.org/donate.

St. Mary Armenian Church Hosts Third Prayer for Healing Service

The third Healing Prayer and Bible Study at St. Mary’s Armenian Church was held on Tuesday, Sep. 26, at 7:30 p.m. This session was especially poignant as prayers were said for the refugees of Artsakh. The Bible Study delved into the compassionate healing of Peter's mother-in-law as described in Matthew 8:14-15. While focusing on the healing miracles of Jesus, it also highlighted the importance of service and compassion.

The Bible study commenced with the reading of Matthew 8:14-15, where Jesus, upon entering Peter's house, heals his mother-in-law, who was bedridden with a fever. Touched by Jesus, the fever left her, and she rose to serve him. This miracle not only showcased Jesus' healing powers but also emphasized the significance of service.

Understanding the context was a crucial aspect of this Bible study. The group delved into the significance of Peter, one of the most prominent figures among Jesus' disciples. Originally named Simon, Peter was often referred to as the 'rock' on which Jesus would build his church (Matthew 16:18). He was seen as the first among the apostles, not in a sense of superiority, but in terms of leadership and influence. 

The healing of Peter's mother-in-law serves as a powerful lesson on compassion and service. Jesus' healing touch demonstrated his deep compassion, while the immediate response of Peter's mother-in-law to serve Jesus after being healed emphasized the importance of service in the Christian faith.

In light of the tragic circumstances in Artsakh, the prayer service and Bible study served as a poignant reminder of the power of compassionate service and the healing it can bring. The group lifted prayers for the refugees from Artsakh and for peace in Armenia, embodying the lessons of compassion and service learned from the study. 

This Bible study was not only a journey through the Scriptures but also a call to action - to serve with love, to embody compassion, and to pray for healing in our world.

We are thrilled to announce that the Prayer of Healing and Bible Discussions will continue to be offered every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. 

White Elephant Sale/ Fall Festival

We are having our traditional White Elephant Sale during Fall Festival, so please bring your quality, gently used items to church on Sunday mornings, or Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Space is limited, we appreciate donations (no clothes, books, or large items).

Thank you for your generous support through monetary donations or through the donation of time to make our Annual Food Festival a success.

On Saturday, September 23, the Women's Guild held its Eggplant Workshop, cutting, slicing and cooking 21 cartons of eggplants. Thanks to the many women who came out to help and special thanks to our invaluable two male helpers: Raffi Sahakian (who could peel faster than anyone!) and Vartan Karapetian (who washed nearly all the eggplants that day).

“The Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” Psalms 147

Prayers for Healing

Աղօթք Բժշկութեան

Join us in this ancient Armenian Church tradition:

A brief prayer service, holy Scripture, and blessing of holy water asking God to ease the pains of body, mind, and soul and bestow his peace.

The Bible Discussions on the healing miracles of our Lord will follow the services.

Prayer of Healing and Bible Discussions will be offered every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

ALL ARE WELCOME

 THE FIRST SERVICE WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 12th, 2023

St. Mary Food Festival -Sponsorship Opportunities

Dear Friends, 

At St. Mary, we are very excited to host the 75th Annual Armenian Fall Food Festival on October 6, 7 and 8, again bringing the culinary delights and cultural riches of Armenian heritage to the Greater Washington, DC area. 

Our community is hard at work preparing for the Food Festival, but we need your support and sponsorship for it to be a success.

Please Click on the Link Below to BECOME A SPONSOR. 

All donations are tax-deductible.

UPCOMING EVENTS

St. Nersess to Honor 12 Priests and Lay Alumni on Nov. 4



St. Nersess Armenian Seminary will highlight the vocations of 12 alumni priests and lay ministers, with a gala banquet on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

This will be the second in a series of tribute events featuring alumni of St. Nersess who serve the Armenian Church in various capacities. The first celebration took place in November 2021 and established the “12 Vocations” theme. The upcoming event will build on that idea, under the title: “12 Vocations: Broadening the Call.”

This year, the event will honor a seminary graduate who became a hierarch of the Armenian Church: Archbishop Avak Asadourian (priestly ordination in 1977, episcopal consecration in 1982), who recently retired after a long tenure as Primate of the Diocese of Iraq.

He will be honored along with seven clergymen and four lay ministers—listed here by ordination or graduation date: Fr. Krikor Sabounjian (ordained 1998); Fr. Sarkis Petoyan (ordained 1998); Fr. Abraham Ohanessian (ordained 1999); Fr. Mikael Devejian (ordained 2000); Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan (ordained 2004); Fr. Aren Jebejian (ordained 2004); Fr. Bedros Kadehjian (ordained 2005); Mka. Valerie Goekjian Zahirsky (graduated 1974); Yn. Sirarpi Feredjian Aivazian (graduated 1978); Nancy Basmajian (graduated 1979); and Shaké Ajamian Derderian (graduated 1989).

Invitations and further details on the November 4 banquet will be coming soon. Contact event co-chair Lynn Beylerian at lynnbeylerian@gmail.com or access the seminary website: www.stnersess.edu. 

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

Special Gift for St. Mary Gift Shop

St. Mary gift shop is offering limited numbers of imported bottles of medieval Armenian health elixirs formulated from ancient manuscripts deciphered at the Matendaran Museum of Ancient Armenian Manuscripts. These elixirs are made in Armenia by Armen Sahakyan, a pharmacologist and botanical scholar who has been working at the Matenadaran Museum for the last several decades. A trained medical doctor ordained a deacon in 1997, Sahakyan has dedicated his life to the maintenance of Armenia’s sacred botanical traditions.

The three different batches available at our gift shop (Royal Elixir, Arates Elixir and Arates Tonic) are made from a codified recipe of medieval Armenian medicine, using a special distillation process. They contain medicinal and aromatic plants, known for their healing properties. Through the distillation and aging process alcohol is created, so think of them as perhaps Armenia’s first (healthy) cognac! 

The supplies are limited and each bottle is numbered, including the batch and year of production. All of the bottles were donated to St Mary Church, so 100% of the proceeds will go to the St Mary Endowment Fund, with a portion also going to support Armenian clergy serving in Artsakh.

"Embrace the Future" Endowment Fund

Dear Parishioners and Friends, 

This year we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the St. Mary Community and Church with the launch of the new "Embrace the Future" Endowment Fund to help ensure our church has the resources needed to continue serving our beloved community.  

Just as you plan for your future and that of your family, please join us in planning for the future of St. Mary Church. 

We are asking for your support so that St. Mary will be able to continue to fulfill her mission for future generations.  

The link below lists various opportunities for you to make a meaningful gift of lasting significance that will help support our church's long-term security, visibility, and vitality. Please consider making either a one-time gift or pledge, which would allow you to make payments over a five-year period.

Join St. Mary's Prayer Group

We are initiating a new form of ministry at St. Mary Armenian Church. For parishioners who would like to make an electronic prayer request, they can do so by Clicking Here

A group of volunteers will receive the request and pray at their earliest convenience. Additionally, a new physical prayer request box will be placed at the entrance of St. Mary Armenian Church with blank forms that anyone can fill out and drop in the box. These requests will be retrieved weekly and delivered to the members of the volunteer prayer group. If you would like to become one of the volunteers of the Prayer Group please email us. 

Please click on the link below to present your request. 

Buy a Brick and Leave Your Legacy at

St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church

Bricks can be ordered and purchased by clicking below and

filling out a simple online order form.

You can choose to have a 4" x 8" brick

which includes your preselected

3 lines of 20 characters per line of text.

Or you can choose to have the

Armenian Cross artwork on the 4" x 8" brick

which includes your preselected

3 lines of 15 characters per line of text.

Order Today While Quantities Last!

Payment can be made with PayPal or a Credit Card.

Legacy Brick Donations are Tax Deductible.

Dear Parishioner,



St Mary’s is preparing for its FY 2023 Fall Food Festival, and we are seeking your participation. The Woman’s Guild makes excellent traditional food and dishes. The workshops are an opportunity to learn how to make traditional Armenian food and learn from our culinary experts in these classic dishes. Please click on the link below to complete the volunteer form, if you would like to participate in any of the workshops. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA4A82FA6F5C25-fall 



We look forward to hearing from you.

NEW RECYCLING PROGRAM AT ST. MARY'S



There is now a blue recycling bin in the hall at St. Mary Church. Please only deposit empty plastic bottles and aluminum cans in the container. We are looking for volunteers to sign up about once a month to take the recyclables home with them after church or during the Food Festival. It involves sorting through what's in the clear recycling bag and discarding any trash that might have been put in the bag. Then, you replace the clear bag with one from the box in the kitchen marked "Recycling Bags, Not for Trash". I have created a SignUp Genius link to sign up for a slot. Please see St Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church: St. Mary's Recycling Committee (signupgenius.com). If you have any questions, please email me at rangerrox@msn.com. Thanks for your help in keeping God's good earth cleaner!

October 1   Feast of Holy Cross of Varak

October 1 Pan-Armenian "Prayer for Artsakh"

October 6-7-8 Fall Food Festival

October 15 Lecture on Nersess Shnorhali by Dr. Jesse S. Arlen -Director of Zohrab Center

October 28 Celebration of the 12th Anniversary of the Church Gift Store

October 29  Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross

October 29 Shnorhali School Talent Show

November 21 Presentation of the Holy Mother-of-God to the Temple

December 9   Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

December 10 Celebration Of the 91st Anniversary of the Church

December 24 Shnorhali School Christmas Celebration

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

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, tapestry icons, children's and adult books, T-shirts, hats, bags, Armenian CDs, Armenian artwork, and much more. 

The Gift Shop is open every Sunday after Church service and by appointment, call the church office at 202-363-1923 or send an e-mail to stmarychurchdc@gmail.com