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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Dawn of the Christian Faith in Armenia
On Saturday, July 13th, the Armenian Church will observe the Feast of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Sandukht the Virgin. The story of these two saints sheds light on the early days of Christianity in Armenia.
Armenia in the first century was a pagan kingdom ruled by a powerful royal family. It held strongly to its inherited pagan practices—until a man named Thaddeus ventured to Armenia.
He was one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, and preached the Lord’s message in people’s homes, in hidden underground chambers, in the market, and on the streets. Moved by the Good News, many of the common folk converted to Christianity.
Rumors of this unusual man reached the royal court and caught the ear of Sandukht, the daughter of Armenia’s king Sanadrouk. Sandukht declared her faith in Christ and was baptized by Thaddeus. But when the king’s spies reported the news to her father, Sandukht was thrown in prison.
The king commanded his daughter to choose between the crown and the sword: either she would renounce Christianity and serve as a pagan princess, or face death. Sandukht chose the sword and became Armenia’s first Christian martyr. Shortly after Sandukht’s death, Thaddeus was also executed by the king. Their sacrifices planted the seeds of the Christian faith in Armenia—a faith that 300 years later would become the foundation on which to build a new Christian Armenia.
Sandukht’s dramatic story is the subject of a powerful video in the Diocese’s Bread and Salt series: “Crown or Sword.” Click here to view the video.
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Morning Service
10:00 AM
Holy Badarak
10:30 AM
Celebrant
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan
Usher
Patricia Yeghissian
Parish Council Members on Duty
Catherine Sahakian
Choir
Dn. Garegin Vardanyan
Organist
Mrs. Karine Muradyan
Bible Readings:
Isaiah 3:16-4:1
1 Corinthians 1:25-30
Matthew 18:10-14
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HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE
For the Soul of:
Ani Keshishian (3rd anniversary)
Requested by:
Vartkes Keshishian,
Talar, Yeprem, Lilian, Peter Festekjian and Families
For the Soul of:
Diana Minassian (40 Days)
Requested by:
Ara Minassian, André Minassian and Nellie Sarkissian
Hospitality Table is Hosted by:
Keshishian and Festekjian Families
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
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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. Foil every aggressor against our homeland. Defend the innocent and voiceless, Lord. Deliver the world from every conflict, and bestow your peace on all mankind.
My soul is always in your hands and I place my hope in your Holy Cross, O Heavenly King. May the multitude of your saints intercede on my behalf.
You who are patient with everyone, do not neglect me who trusts in you but keep me in peace with your precious and Holy Cross. Amen.
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Please tune in to St. Mary YouTube channel for the upcoming services and Badaraks | |
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Celebrating the Feast of Transfiguration at St. Mary Church
On July 7, St. Mary Armenian Church celebrated the Feast of Transfiguration, one of the five major feasts of our Church and a moment in the liturgical year that honors the divine glory of Christ as witnessed by His apostles on Mount Tabor. The festive Badarak brought together our community in a profound spiritual communion, reflecting on the transformative power of Christ's presence.
Following the service, the celebration took a joyful turn as our young people, parishioners, and friends gathered in the church plaza for the traditional Vartavar water games. This beloved Armenian custom marks a day of purification and renewal, and everyone, from young to old, enjoyed the spirited splashes, laughter, and fun.
The Armenian Tradition of Vartavar is both ancient and beautiful, seamlessly weaving together the threads of our rich heritage with the spiritual symbolism of Christianity. Originally a pagan festival, Vartavar was reimagined by the Armenian Church to commemorate the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, symbolizing the cleansing of the faithful and the revelation of Christ’s divine glory.
"Vartavar"—meaning the "Festival of Roses"—is aptly named, evoking the image of blooming roses and signifying the blossoming of our faith. Just as the rose reaches its full splendor, so too does the Feast of Transfiguration celebrate the unveiling of Christ's radiant divinity, inspiring us to reflect on the beauty and transformative power of our faith.
This year's Vartavar was a day filled with laughter, fellowship, and the refreshing embrace of water games, reminding us all of the refreshing and renewing grace of God. Click here to watch a short video.
After the water games, our ACYOA Juniors went to the local park for their volleyball practice, gearing up for the upcoming sports weekend in October. They were joined by several ANCA interns, adding a spirit of camaraderie and preparation for future endeavors.
We are grateful to all who participated and made this day a memorable celebration of faith, community, and tradition. Let us carry the light of Christ's Transfiguration with us throughout the year and look forward to many more joyful celebrations together.
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A Cross Rises Over St. Vartan Cathedral
New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral reached an exciting milestone recently, when a magnificent new cross was blessed and raised to the summit of the cathedral dome.
The ceremony on Sunday, June 30, led by Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, fulfilled an important goal of the major renovation project that has been proceeding throughout the year. The new cross—designed in a beautiful, stately Armenian fashion—will grace St. Vartan Cathedral for the next era of its existence.
Worshippers taking part in the liturgy and blessing ceremony included members of the cathedral building and fundraising committees, project benefactors, and a large contingent of participants in St. Nersess Seminary’s annual Deacon’s Training Program.
Bishop Parsamyan welcomed the crowd, observing that, “Once the scaffolding around the dome comes down, the cross will only be seen from afar. So you are among the few people in the world who will be able to say: ‘I touched the cross on St. Vartan Cathedral.’ What a unique blessing that is! You are here to witness and take part in a moment of history.”
Following the service in the sanctuary, worshippers followed a procession onto the cathedral plaza, where the cross was standing on a special platform—towering above the human figures circled around it. Members of the Diocesan cathedral fundraising and building committees washed the surface of the cross with wine, as Bishop Mesrop recited and chanted the prayers of blessing.
In accordance with city construction ordinances, physically raising the cross to the top of the cathedral had to wait until Sunday’s late evening hours. But a small crowd was on hand from around 10 p.m., to witness the actual transport and installation. Two lanes of traffic on Second Avenue were closed to accommodate the mammoth crane that lifted the new cross up above the cathedral, and gingerly lowered it to the dome, where a team of workmen fastened it in place.
The entire process was captured in a magnificent short video; click the link below to watch it.
Learn about the St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral restoration—and contribute to the ongoing project—by visiting the website StVartan.org.
Click the following links to:
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Bishop Mesrop Welcomes AGBU Interns to Cathedral Complex
On the evening of Tuesday, July 2, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan welcomed the talented participants of AGBU’s “Global Leadership Program” to the Diocesan Center.
“The room was alive with warmth, laughter, and a spirit of unity as we gathered for a delightful dinner,” the Primate said. “The Global Leadership Program has always brought together exceptional individuals from all around the world,” he went on, “and this year’s group was no exception. Their passion for our Armenian culture and heritage truly shone through. As we broke bread and shared stories, it was heartening to see the diverse backgrounds and incredible accomplishments of each participant.”
Bishop Mesrop concluded: “Thank you to the Armenian General Benevolent Union for creating such an excellent platform to nurture the next generation of leaders. AGBU's commitment to empowering young Armenians is making a significant impact.
“To all the participants, thank you for making the evening so memorable. Your enthusiasm and dedication are truly inspiring, and I’m confident that each of you will go on to achieve remarkable things.”
Click here to view photos.
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Նոր Խաչ Սբ. Վարդան Տաճարի Գմբեթին Վրայ
Սբ. Վարդան Մայր Տաճարի վերանորոգման աշխատանքները թեւակոխեցին ոգեշունչ փուլ մը, երբ հրաշալի նոր խաչ մը օրհնութեամբ եւ աղօթքով պսակեց տաճարին բարձրադիր գմբեթը:
Կիրակի. Յունիս 30-ին Առաջնորդ Սրբազան Հայր Տ. Մեսրոպ Եպիսկոպոս Պարսամեան մատոյց սուրբ Պատարագը եւ աւարտին օրհնեց նոր խաչը տաճարին բացօդեայ գաւիթ-հրապարակին վրայ:
Հաւատացեալներ եւ վերանորոգման ու հանգանակութեան յանձնախումբերուն անդամներ, ինչպէս նաեւ բարերարներ, խմբուեցան Նոր Խաչին շուրջ, որ իր հայկական նուրբ եւ սլացիկ ոճով կանգնած էր գաւիթին կեդրոնը:
Նախ քան օրհնութիւնը, Առաջնորդ Հայրը ամփոփ բացատրութիւն տուաւ այս պատմական առիթին, խորհրդածելով Սբ. Խաչին իմաստին եւ դերին մասին մեր կեանքերէն ներս: Յատուկէն անդրադարձուց որ “Երբ շինարարական արտաքին կառոյցը վերցուի, ոսկեզօծ խաչը պիտի փայլի բարձր գմբեթին վրայ, եւ դուք, ներկաներդ միայն, պիտի ըլլաք անոնցմէ՝ որ պիտի կարենան հաստատել թէ մեր ձեռքերով շօշափած ենք այդ խաչը: Ի՜նչ մեծ օրհնութիւն է այս ձեզի, որ կը մասնակցիք այս պատմական արարողութեան”:
Քաղաքապետարանին շինարարական ապահովական տնօրինութիւններուն համաձայն, խաչը տեղաւորուեցաւ գմբեթին վրայ կիրակի գիշեր ժամը տասէն ետք՝ հաւատարիմներու խումբի մը ներկայութեան:
Դիտէք լուսանկարները այստեղ:
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FAR’s Mira Antonyan in Psychology Today
An insightful article written by Mira Antonyan, executive director of the Fund for Armenian Relief’s Child Protection Center in Yerevan, was featured this month on the homepage of Psychology Today.
Drawing on the center’s years of experience and groundbreaking work in Armenia, Mira shared recommendations and best practices for mental health professionals supporting displaced children around the world.
With more than a decade of experience working with at-risk children, FAR’s Child Protection Center has been focusing lately on supporting children affected by the turmoil involving Artsakh: the aftermath of the 2020 war, the 9-month blockade, and the subsequent forced displacement.
“A significant part of our work involves helping individuals rebuild their social skills and networks, which is crucial as we begin the process of up-skilling them,” Mira states in the article. “This, however, is not an easy task, especially when working with people who have lost their homeland, houses, livelihood, and, in many cases, a significant portion of their community and workforce. Our goal is to empower families to help themselves, and to start thinking practically about their future—where to start, and how to rebuild their lives.”
Click here to learn more about how FAR’s Child Protection Center has been making an impact on our displaced countrymen—especially children like those pictured here. And look for additional stories of empowerment from FAR’s Mira Antonyan in the online pages of Psychology Today.
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TO READ MORE NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE, CLICK HERE
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RECYCLING PROGRAM NEWS
Thanks to our Recycling Committee for their work in sorting and bringing home the recyclables every Sunday, especially during our recent Food Festival. What has been discouraging, though, is that people continue to throw half-full coffee cups and food into the container, which makes it very messy for us. Please put only the following in the container:
Empty plastic bottles
Empty aluminum cans
Empty glass bottles
Nothing else!!
No paper, no plastic silverware, no coffee cups, no paper plates, no food. We are trying to keep things simple.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please email Roxanne Paul at rangerrox@msn.com. Thank you for being so supportive in helping keep our planet cleaner!
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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.
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"Embrace the Future" Endowment Fund
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This year, we celebrate the 92nd Anniversary of the St. Mary Community and Church. "Embrace the Future" Endowment Fund was established on the occasion of the 90th anniversary and continues 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.
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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.
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St. Mary Armenian Church
Legacy Brick Drive
Honor your loved ones with
a memorial that will last a lifetime
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 becomes
a memory to view for years to come.
Laser engraved bricks will be displayed in our Church plaza,
on both sides of our beautiful Khatchkar, and can be dedicated to those
you wish to remember, honor Loved Ones, commemorate a
a special milestone like a baptism or wedding, or
acknowledge an organization or business.
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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.
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING FEASTS AND EVENTS | |
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August 18 Feast of Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God
September 15 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 29 Feast of Holy Cross of Varak
October 4-5-6 Fall Food Festival
October 27 Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross
November 21 Presentation of the Holy Mother-of-God to the Temple
December 9 Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary
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PRAYERS FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR | |
Anne Andonian, Aram Andonian, Hripsime Apkarian, Lucy Badalian, Allison Bajger, Ellen Boudreau, Karen Calabrese, Mrs. Coleman, Mari Dogum, Fitzgerald Ryan, Matt Girardi, Anahit Greene, Antaram Grigoryan, Susana Grigoryan, Simon Gukasyan, Karen Hatchik, Charles Hoke, Tamara Hramushina, Takvur Hubi, Jo-Anna Jacob, Edward Jamgochian, Yn. Anahid Kalayjian, Michael Kolenick, Nancy Kolenick, Jack Kooyoomjian, Queen Manoogian, Toros Mermer, Susanna Mkrtchyan, Haik Naltchayan, Armen Mark Nostrant, Mikael Ovanesov, Zaven Ovian, Hacik Ozdul, Kamer Ozkayan, Margaret Rustemian, Sakayan Victoria, Robert Schlee, Tamara Shatvoryan, Bob Semonian, Mihran Tavoukjian, David Tonyan, Kristin Chakarian Turza, Rahmin Vaziri | |
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10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 12 "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
(Matthew 18:10-14)
10 Զգո՛յշ եղէք, որ այս փոքրիկներից մէկին չարհամարհէք. ասում եմ ձեզ, որ երկնքում նրանց հրեշտակները մշտապէս տեսնում են երեսն իմ Հօր, որ երկնքում է. 11 որովհետեւ մարդու Որդին եկաւ փրկելու կորածը»։ 12 «Ձեզ ինչպէ՞ս է թւում. եթէ մի մարդ հարիւր ոչխար ունենայ, եւ նրանցից մէկը մոլորուի, իննսունինը ոչխարը լերան վրայ չի՞ թողնի ու գնայ որոնելու մոլորուածին։ 13 Եւ եթէ պատահի, որ այն գտնի, ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ, թէ նրա վրայ աւելի կ'ուրախանայ, քան իննսունիննի վրայ, որ մոլորուած չեն։ 14 Այսպէս՝ իմ երկնաւոր Հօր կամքը չէ, որ այս փոքրիկներից մէկը կորչի»։
(Մատթեոս 18:10-14)
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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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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
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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. | |
St. Mary Armenian Church, Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016 | stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
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