May 12

TOP STORY   

A Tribute to Mothers

“Mothers are the ambassadors of God’s love and providence on earth,” wrote the saintly Patriarch Shnork Kaloustian (1913-1990) in a Mother’s Day homily that has become a classic expression of Armenian Christian spirituality.

In a few heartfelt words, he cast his mind back to praise the qualities of Armenian motherhood throughout history: qualities that have been at least as responsible for the perseverance of the Armenian people as any other factor.

With Mother’s Day approaching this Sunday, take a moment to read Patriarch Shnork’s sermon, by clicking here.

 His reflections are especially poignant because Patriarch Shnork had been orphaned at the age of two, and raised in an orphanage run by American missionaries, so he never really knew his own mother. His plea towards the end of the sermon that “Nothing on this earth could be more precious than good mothers,” is deeply affecting from the perspective of his own life experience.

 Some of what he had to say might be considered “of its day.” But Patriarch Shnork’s deepest insights into motherhood are surely profound, and eternal. Indeed, it is especially valuable in an unsettling time like our own to recall the unshakeable aspects of character that have graced our people, no matter the circumstances of the surrounding world.

 In your prayers this Sunday, ask God to bless our precious mayrigs: those living among us, those parted from us, and those yet to be. We are blessed by them every day of our lives.

May 14, 2023

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan 

Usher

Mr. Sara Arabian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Mr. Robert George

Choir

Mrs.Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Acts 20:17-38

1 John 3:2-6

 John 9:39-10:10

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

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

     Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

     Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Help Matt!



One of our parishioners, Matt Girardi, is going through some health issues. He needs all of our support! Let us all pray to God to help Matt to overcome these difficulties and restore his health.



Financial support will be very much appreciated as well.

Please consider donating to his campaign page by clicking on the link below.

St. Mary Food Festival -Sponsorship Opportunities



At St. Mary, we are very excited to host the 13th Annual Armenian Spring Food Festival on May 19, 20, and 21, 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.

Thank you, volunteers!

Everyone who joined us to lend a hand, your support is very much appreciated!

God bless each of you for your continued service in making our Church and community stronger!

We look forward seeig everyone at our Food Festival next week.

Changing the World for the Better



Recently one of our Shnorhali School graduates, Alek Tekeyan, won the high school grand prize at the 42nd Frederick County Science and Engineering Fair for his robotic hand that could sign part of the American Sign Language alphabet from vocal and typed inputs. Alek desires to solve modern challenges and change the world for the better.

Now he has the opportunity to represent Frederick County at this year's International Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas. We congratulate Alek and wish him success in the future.

Click here to read the article.

NEW RECYCLING PROGRAM AT ST. MARY'S



Roxanne Paul and Becky Bagdasarian are starting a recycling committee at St. Mary's. Roxanne has purchased and donated clear plastic recycling bags and a blue recycling container that now stands in the church hall to the right of where the coffee is usually served. They are looking for a few other volunteers to join them to sign up once a month to bring the recycling home after church and recycle the items from their own homes. We will also need people willing to do this during the spring and fall food festivals. If you are interested, please email Roxanne at rangerrox@msn.com .  

Please put only plastic bottles and aluminum cans in the container. No glass, no plastic utensils or other items. Please empty the bottles and cans before placing in the container.  

Thank you for your support, and together we can help take care of this beautiful planet that God has given us. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Help Needed for 2023 Spring Food Festival

WED Educational Fund Scholarship



Application for WED Educational Fund Scholarship is now available at St. Mary's website www.stmaryaac.org. The application deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is

May 31, 2023.

Click here to access the scholarship application. If you have questions, contact the St. Mary Church office at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com

There is a wonderful opportunities for our children to participate in Armenian camps and conferences this summer. St. Vartan Camp and St. Nersess Summer Conferences and trainnigs are now oper for registration. If your child is interested please contact the the church office at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com and provide your name, contact information (phone and email) and your student’s name/age. Put "St Vartan Camp," or "St. Nersess" in the subject line.  An interest meeting will be arranged, where parents/students can ask questions and arrange carpools.

This year, through generous donations made to a number of memorial funds, St. Mary will be able to offer a discount for each camper.   

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. 

Armenian Speaking Caregivers Available

For information please contact the church office at 202-363-1923 or  stmarychurchdc@gmail.com

Part-time help needed

Rockville Town Center (a few minutes walk from the Rockville Metro stop on the Red Line), for details, contact Lilit at "Saints Valley" Boutique:   https://www.instagram.com/saintsvalley/?hl=en

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.

A Sense of Reunion, and Renewed Energy, at the Diocesan Assembly

When the 121st Diocesan Assembly of the Eastern Diocese began its opening session, it was the first time the body had met in a completely in-person format in more than three years, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The gathering marked other “firsts” as well. It was the first Diocesan Assembly to be presided over by the Very Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, who was elected as the 13th Primate of the Diocese one year ago.

Under the Primate’s presidency, the 2023 Assembly convened from Thursday, May 4, to Saturday, May 6. In all, 132 parish representatives—clergy, parish council chairs, and Diocesan delegates—along with a large number of observers, gathered at the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center, in Plano, TX, to join the proceedings. Gregory Saraydarian served as Assembly chair.

St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX, hosted the 121st Assembly, with admirable levels of organization and hospitality. The weekend’s social and liturgical events took place on the extensive campus of St. Sarkis Church, which was consecrated last year. Hosting a Diocesan Assembly in Dallas was an additional “first” for the weekend, noted parish pastor Fr. Ghevond Ajamian in welcoming remarks.

 Friday's Assembly session was devoted to the formal address of the Primate, and his introduction of two large initiatives for the coming year: the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Diocese’s founding and the inauguration of an “action plan” for the Diocese titled “Growing In Faith Together.” The G.I.F.T. plan was the subject of a session of “roundtable discussions,” in which the delegates discussed aspects of the plan in small groups.

Delegates also heard a special presentation on the St. Vartan Cathedral Renovation Project. Richard Papalian described the large-scale project to renovate and restore the Diocesan Cathedral in New York City. Oscar Tatosian delivered an inspiring talk titled “Renewing the Vision, Cementing the Future,” outlining St. Vartan Cathedral’s meaning to the entire Diocese and the fundraising efforts being undertaken for the project. Individual delegates and parishes made generous contributions to this cause over the subsequent days.

Diocesan Council chair Fr. Krikor Sabounjian delivered the Council's report, which included remarks from Interim Executive Director of the Diocese Fr. Davit Karamyan; Interim Director of Diocesan Ministries Fr. Hratch Sargsyan; and Council treasurer Roseann Manoogian Attar. Reports were heard from Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director, and from leaders of Diocesan organizations, departments, and working groups.

The Diocesan Assembly was preceded by the annual Clergy Conference and coincided with the Women’s Guild Assembly. Details of those gatherings will be featured in an upcoming newsletter edition. See the item below under Diocesan News to learn about the Assembly Awards Banquet on May 5.

The Assembly concluded in a celebration of the Divine Liturgy, with the Primate presiding, on Sunday, May 7.

• Click the following links to: READ MORE in an extensive article on the Assembly proceedings and results.
• VIEW PHOTOS of the Assembly sessions by photographer Joan Stuckman.

FAR is Hiring a Development Director

The Fund for Armenian Relief is searching for a “Director of Institutional Marketing and Development.” The position will be responsible for the overall strategic development and management of the set of communications that FAR deploys to reach its audience.

The Development Director is expected to contribute to strengthening FAR’s image in the market and to further developing trust among the diaspora and make it the foundation of choice for individuals to consider when planning their charitable giving efforts. This position will report to Garnik Nanagoulian, Executive Director.

For complete information, click here.

Ayo is the crowdfunding platform of Fund for Armenian Relief, the social arm of the Eastern Diocese. We’re passionate about partnering with Armenians all over the world to promote sustainable development through low-budget, big-impact projects.

This summer, Ayo! is partnering with GOALS (Girls of Armenia Leadership in Sports) to organize a sports camp for kids aged 11-17. It will intertwine learning and fun through games, promoting positive values such as teamwork, leadership, respect, and gender equality. 

The camp will be held in the rural Shirak region for 70 boys and girls from surrounding villages. In addition to soccer, basketball, and tennis, lacrosse will be introduced this year!

It costs $125 to sponsor one village child’s unforgettable week of camp.

Get involved!

• Donate tax-deductible through Ayo’s website here:

www.weareayo.org/donate

• One day of camp, including meals, costs $25/month

Click Here to DONATE!

We’re turning 10 this year!

With the support of Hilton, we’re organizing a special all-expenses paid trip to Armenia for one lucky person (chosen at random).

Enter here!

May 12 90^th Anniversary Endowment Fundraising Garden Reception @ 7 pm 

May 12 ACYOA Juniors End of Year /Graduation Party

May 18 Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ

May 19, 20 & 21 Spring Food Festival

May 28 W.G.Hampartzoom program and lunch

39 Jesus said, "For judgment, I have come into this world so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?"41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.10 "Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.7 Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

(John 9:39-10:10)

39 Եւ Յիսուս ասաց. «Դատաստանի համար եկայ այս աշխարհը, որպէսզի, ովքեր չեն տեսնում, տեսնեն, եւ ովքեր տեսնում են, կուրանան»։ 40 Փարիսեցիներից ոմանք, որ Յիսուսի հետ էին, այդ լսեցին ու նրան ասացին. «Միթէ մե՞նք էլ կոյր ենք»։ 41 Յիսուս նրանց ասաց. «Եթէ կոյր լինէիք, դուք մեղք չէիք ունենայ, բայց հիմա ասում էք, թէ՝ տեսնում ենք. եւ ձեր մեղքը ձեր մէջ հաստատ է մնում»։10 «Ճշմարիտ, ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ, ով ոչխարների փարախը դռնով չի մտնում, այլ ուրիշ տեղով է բարձրանում, նա գող է եւ աւազակ. 2 իսկ ով դռնով է մտնում, հովիւ է ոչխարների։ 3 Դռնապանը նրա համար բացում է դուռը, եւ ոչխարները լսում են նրա ձայնը. նա իր ոչխարներին անուններով է կանչում եւ նրանց դուրս է հանում։ 4 Եւ երբ իր բոլոր ոչխարներին հանի, նրանց առջեւից է գնում, եւ ոչխարները հետեւում են նրան, որովհետեւ ճանաչում են նրա ձայնը։ 5 Օտարի յետեւից չեն գնայ, այլ կը փախչեն նրանից, որովհետեւ չեն ճանաչում օտարների ձայնը»։6 Յիսուս նրանց այս առակն ասաց, իսկ նրանք չէին իմանում, թէ ինչ էր այն, որ նա իրենց ասում էր։ 7 Դարձեալ Յիսուս նրանց ասաց. «Ճշմարիտ, ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ, որ ես եմ ոչխարների դուռը։ 8 Բոլոր նրանք, որ ինձնից առաջ եկան, գողեր էին ու աւազակներ, ուստի ոչխարները նրանց չլսեցին։ 9 Ես եմ դուռը. եթէ մէկը իմ միջով մտնի, կը փրկուի. կը մտնի ու կ'ելնի եւ ճարակելու բան կը գտնի։ 10 Գողը գալիս է միայն, որպէսզի գողանայ, սպանի եւ կորստեան մատնի. ես եկայ, որպէսզի կեանք ունենան եւ՝ առաւել եւս ունենան։

(Յովհ. 9:39-10:10