June 6

TOP STORY   

“The Dove Came Down”: Celebrate Pentecost

The Dove came down with great sound from on high,

Like the flashing of light. It armed the disciples with fire

While they were sitting in the holy Upper Room .…

Today, O new people, rejoice for the coming of the Holy Spirit!

These are the words of the sublime sharagan, Arakeloh Aghavnoh, sung in the Armenian Church on Pentecost—the feast day we will mark on Sunday, June 8.

After his ascension, Christ had promised to send a “comforter” to his disciples—and the disciples had faith that the Holy Spirit would make known God’s purpose for them. Pentecost—also observed as “Vocations Day”—encourages us to likewise consider how God has called us.

On the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit inspired the birth of the Christian Church. In time, the Spirit went forth to inspire two apostles to travel to Armenia, preach among the people, and plant the seeds for a spiritual revolution that would transform our homeland. That story is retold in “Tongues of Fire”: a video in the Bread & Salt series. 

Click here to view it—and share it with others—in preparation for Sunday.

June 8, 2025

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Ms. Marina Gagikyan

Parish Council Members on Duty

Mrs. Shoghig Sahakyan

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:

Acts 2:1-21,

 John 14:25-31

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of:

Albert Khaloyan (40 Days)

Requested by:

Naira Babayan, Mariam Khaloyan and Mr. and Mrs. Joann & Nareg Khaloyan Koroukian

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

May you pour on us, O Lord, the grace of your spirit—the spirit of wisdom, knowledge, power; the spirit of understanding and of the mystery of worship in God—which you received in the River Jordan. Fill us with the spirit of fear towards you. Hear, O Lord, and have mercy.

   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 single conflict, and bestow your peace on all mankind. Amen.

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

A Fresh Look for the House of God

Over the past three weeks, our beloved St. Mary Church has undergone a much-needed transformation through major painting and upkeep work. Every wall within the sanctuary has been refreshed with a new coat of paint, and visible cracks have been carefully repaired, restoring the beauty and dignity of our worship space.

Among the notable updates:

• The choir balcony windows were refinished.
• New lighting was installed over the left-side icons and the ceramic tile mural of St. Mary, thanks to the generous efforts of Robert Nazaryan.
• The main altar received a new coat of paint, and the icons of the apostles were beautifully restored by the talented Armen Kankanyan.
• Our appreciation to Sean McClure for dedicating his time and skills to meticulously polish the brass candleholders and beautifully clean and restore the poorvar—the censer used by the deacons.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who contributed their time, talent, and support to make these enhancements possible.

Next time you visit St. Mary, take a moment to look around and give thanks for the renewed splendor of God’s house—a reflection of His glory and our love for His Church.

Celebrating the Feast of the Ascension — Hampardzoom 2025

On Saturday, May 31, the St. Mary Armenian Church Women’s Guild joyfully hosted this year’s Hampardzoom (Feast of the Ascension) celebration. The day began with a prayer service led by Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, including Psalm readings and a group prayer reflecting on Christ’s glorious Ascension and the promise of the Holy Spirit.

The celebration continued with a delicious luncheon lovingly prepared by the Women’s Guild Executive Committee, followed by a vibrant cultural program. The musical offerings included performances by Natalie Amalyan, Gurgen Manukyan, Tagouhi Gomtsyan, and Levon and Elna Zanyan, with poetry and folk dance that beautifully highlighted the spirit of the day.

A highlight of the afternoon was a presentation by Dean Shahinian on the estate of Levon Garabedian, who generously left a bequest in support of the Women’s Guild in appreciation of their unwavering dedication and love for the Church. His gift stands as a lasting tribute to the Guild’s vital role in parish life.

The event also featured the presentation of the “Women of the Year” award by Artur Sivaslian, honoring exemplary service among the Guild’s members, and concluded with the traditional vijag (drawing), a joyful reminder of the festive folk traditions tied to this sacred feast.

Rooted in centuries of Armenian Christian tradition, Hampardzoom beautifully weaves together spiritual reflection, cultural celebration, and community gratitude. As we remembered Christ’s Ascension, we were uplifted by His promise and inspired by the love and service that continue to flourish in our parish family.

Shnorhali School’s End-of-Year Handes and Graduation Ceremony featuring “Our Heritage, Our Faith”

In a hall echoing with ancestral songs, proud voices, and heartfelt applause, Shnorhali School concluded its academic year with an End-of-Year Handes and Graduation Ceremony. The theme, “Our Heritage, Our Faith,” was not just a phrase, it was the very heartbeat of the celebration.

From the moment the program began, emotion filled the room. We opened by reflecting on the journey we had traveled together over the past year, marked by learning, resilience, tradition, and growth. Every moment, every lesson, every act of service was honored. With sincere appreciation, we recognized the lifeblood of our school community: our devoted teachers, tireless volunteers, supportive parents, and the children who are at the very soul of all we do.

One by one, students stepped onto the stage to breathe life into our cultural legacy. With trembling voices and shining eyes, they recited their favorite poems, retold the fables passed down through generations, and sang melodies that spoke to our collective memory. These were not performances, they were sacred offerings of love to our Armenian identity, our spiritual roots, and to all those who came before us.

We celebrated not only emotion, but achievement. Our Chess Tournament champions were honored, and every volunteer who walked beside us this year received a Certificate of Appreciation. We were especially proud to recognize that 10 out of 18 of our volunteers earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award, Gold and Silver levels. The rest continue their path toward this national recognition, with hearts full of purpose and pride.

Our Acolyte Training and Shnorhali Voices Spiritual Chorus students were also awarded, each certificate a symbol of their dedication to faith, service, and song.

And then came the moment of farewell and new beginnings: our graduation ceremony. Two remarkable students stood at the end of one journey and the beginning of another. After years of dedication to mastering the Armenian language and faith, they crossed the stage not only as graduates, but as future stewards of our culture. With deep emotion, we applauded them, knowing they will return next year not as students, but as young leaders who will carry the torch forward.

This wasn’t just an end-of-year event. It was a declaration of identity. It was a tapestry woven with faith, memory, and hope. We left with full hearts, reminded once again that at Shnorhali, we do not simply teach, we pass on a living legacy.

Week 4 Bible Study: “Joy in Service” – Philippians 2:12–30

In our fourth session of the Philippians Bible Study series, we reflected on Paul’s call to joyful obedience, sacrificial service, and Christlike humility in everyday life. Coming directly after the profound “Christ Hymn” (Phil. 2:1–11), this passage urged us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, reminding us that God is actively at work within us—shaping both our desire and ability to do His will.

Together, we explored what it means to live faithfully in a “crooked and perverse generation,” shining like stars through lives of purity, integrity, and community witness. We also considered the inspiring examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus, two humble servants whose devotion to the Gospel was marked by deep care, suffering, and steadfastness.

The discussion was especially rich as we drew connections to the Armenian Church’s language of awe and liturgical reverence, especially the phrase «Ահիւ եւ դողութեամբ», used both in Scripture and in preparation for Holy Communion.

Thank you to all who participated. May we continue to live lives that reflect the joy and humility of Christ, in our homes, our parish, and our world.

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

Armenian Heritage Conference Addresses Plight of Artsakh

The Armenian Heritage Conference, held in Bern, Switzerland on May 27-28, addressed the consequences of the ongoing conflict in Artsakh, with focus on the protection of its Armenian Christian and cultural heritage, the human rights of its people, and the future security of the Armenian nation.

Organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in collaboration with the Protestant Church in Switzerland, the conference brought together experts on international law and human rights, historians, politicians, and representatives from international organizations, as well as leaders of the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Yezidi traditions.

Travelling from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin expressly for the occasion, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, addressed the gathering. “The destruction of cultural heritage must rightly be seen not only a crime against a single nation, but as a crime against all of humanity,” Catholicos Karekin II said.

The Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I, sent a video greeting that urged attendees to challenge the notion that “might is right.”

WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Jerry Pillay underscored that the conference was “a response to the calling of the church. We are here because we believe that peace cannot exist without justice. We are not here by coincidence. We are not here to be bystanders.”

Rev. Pillay was also a panelist at the concluding press conference, which featured reflections from Rev. Rita Famos, president of the Protestant Church in Switzerland; Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Vice Moderator of the WCC and the Diocesan Legate of the Eastern Diocese, who was instrumental in organizing the conference; and Dr. Luis Moreno Ocampo, the international advocate who has been outspoken in affirming that the war on Artsakh and the expulsion of its Armenian inhabitants constitutes a genocide.

The roster of conference speakers included Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, Dr. Ani Ghazaryan, Dr. Michael Rubin, Garo Paylan, Dr. Azza Karam, Dr. Ali Akbar Ziaei, Paula Yacoubian, Adama Dieng, Rev. Mae Elise Cannon, Van Krikorian, Rabbi Alexander Goldberg, and Dr. Taner Akçam, among others.

The Armenian Heritage Conference closed with a statement urging international bodies to protect Artsakh’s cultural and religious heritage, and to ensure accountability for the destruction that has taken place. “Let this statement serve as a testimony to our shared responsibility and as a living document of solidarity, conscience, and commitment,” the statement concludes. “The heritage of Artsakh/Nagorno Karabakh belongs not only to Armenians, but to the whole of humanity, and it is our collective responsibility to protect it.”

Click the following links to:

• READ more on the WCC website.
• VIEW photos by photographer Ivars Kupcis.
• READ the final conference statement.
• WATCH videos of the concluding press conference and speakers.

Welcome Patriarch Sahak II to the Eastern Diocese

With great joy, the Eastern Diocese and its Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan wish to inform the public that His Beatitude Archbishop Sahak II Mashalian, the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, is scheduled to visit the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America in late June.

This will be His Beatitude’s first official visit to New York City since ascending to the Patriarchal throne. His Beatitude is the 85th occupant of this great hierarchical see of the Armenian Church, which dates back to 1461. Since his enthronement in 2019, Patriarch Sahak has enjoyed the love and respect of our people throughout the worldwide church, and is greatly admired for his deep spirituality, humility, and inspirational oratory.

Patriarch Sahak will be visiting our Diocese from June 23 to 30, with several public events planned for that time in the New York/New Jersey region.

Chief among these will be a concert at St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, NJ, on the evening of Friday, June 27; and a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Sunday, June 29, with a banquet to follow in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium. (Click the links below for details.)

During his visit, Patriarch Sahak will also meet with distinguished leaders of the city’s ecumenical community, Armenian organizations, and civic life.

With great anticipation, we look forward to welcoming Patriarch Sahak to our Diocese, sharing his presence at the various gatherings, and joining together as a community in prayer, fellowship, and common witness to our risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Click the following links to view and download:

• A flyer for the Concert for Patriarch Sahak II.
• A flyer for the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy & Banquet.

Download the Diocese’s 2024 Report to Donors

Earlier this month, the Eastern Diocese released its 2024 Annual Report to Donors, titled “Growing In Faith Together: Love One Another.” Printed copies have been sent to all donors by mail. But you can also download the report by clicking on the link below.

Through every challenge our people have faced in recent years, the faithful of the Eastern Diocese have answered the call to help with great generosity, and without hesitation.

Your loyal support is deeply appreciated—and inspires every aspect of our ongoing work. If it is in your heart and within your means, please consider sustaining your church by offering a gift on our secure server, linked below.

Also, the Diocesan Development Office asks that you kindly forward any relevant updates to your personal information (change of address, death in the family, change in marital status, etc.) to help ensure the accuracy of our database as we reach out to you and your loved ones. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our records up to date.

Click on the links below to:

• DOWNLOAD the 2024 Report to Donors.
• DONATE NOW on the Diocese’s secure server.

A Call to All ACYOA Alumni...

The Armenian Church Youth Organization Central Council has teamed up with ACYOA alumni across the Eastern Diocese to establish a new ACYOA Alumni Association.

With the ACYOA Alumni Council in the process of forming, the organization is eager to hear from the various generations of ACYOA alumni about their cherished memories, their interest in supporting Armenian youth, and their ideas for connecting the extensive ACYOA network across the Diocese.

Please take some time to complete the linked Alumni Survey by June 15, to help the ACYOA Central Council and Alumni Council understand how we can continue to strengthen our organization and help our youth grow in their faith together.

Click here to take the online survey.

Follow “ACYOA Alumni” on Facebook, @acyoaalumni on Instagram, and subscribe to the ACYOA newsletter for future announcements regarding alumni activities and opportunities to get involved.

For questions, or to express interest in serving on the ACYOA Alumni Council,

e-mail acyoa.alumni@gmail.com

Register Now for Diocesan Summer Camps

Online registration is now open for the Eastern Diocese’s summer camp programs, Hye Camp and St. Vartan Camp. Every camper will find something enriching in the experience—whether it involves learning about the Armenian heritage and faith, making lifelong friends, or enjoying fun summer activities.

To encourage potential campers and mark the opening of online camp registration, the Eastern Diocese released a heartwarming short video featuring young campers and teen-aged counselors sharing their thoughts on what camp has meant to them.

Click here to watch the video.

And click the following link to register and learn more on the Diocesan Camps website.

Teens and Young Adults: Experience Armenia This Summer!

The Eastern Diocese and ACYOA are offering three exciting opportunities for teens and young adults to travel to Armenia this summer.

The 2025 ACYOA Seniors Armenia Service Program (ASP) will run June 30 to July 18, and is open to young adults ages 18-30 from across the Diocese. A registration link, fact sheet, and detailed itinerary are all available on the ACYOA website. Participants are encouraged to register soon; click here for details.

ACYO Youth Pilgrimage and Forum will be a special international gathering in Armenia this summer, meeting July 2 to 7, and open to young adults ages 18-30. The Eastern Diocese aims to send 30 representatives to the Youth Forum (facility in the Armenian language is strongly encouraged). Full details and links to register can be found by clicking here.

ACYOA Juniors Armenia Service Program (ASP)

ACYOA Juniors (ages 14-17) are invited to participate in the ACYOA Juniors Armenia Service Program (ASP) running June 30 to July 14. Click the following link to learn more and to register for the trip.

For information on any of these trips, contact Jennifer Morris in the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org or (248) 648-0702.

Summer Programs at St. Nersess Seminary

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary has announced its schedule of 2025 Summer Conferences for high school and post-high school students. The conferences will be held at the St. Nersess Seminary campus in Armonk, NY.

June 27 - July 6

Deacons’ Training Program

Directors: Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian & Dn. Alex Calikyan

July 9 - July 13

Yn. Diane Chevian Memorial Choir Workshop

Director: Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian

July 19 - July 27

High School Summer Conference A

Director: Fr. Ghevond Ajamian | Coordinator: Maria Derderian

August 2 - August 10

High School Summer Conference B

Director: Fr. Ghevond Ajamian | Coordinator: Maria Derderian

Click the links to find registration and other information on the St. Nersess Seminary website, and to view a flyer.

FAR NEWS

FAR Celebrates Latest Round of Science Grants

On May 21, the Fund for Armenian Relief celebrated this year’s grant recipients of the “Yervant Terzian Armenian National Science and Education Fund” (ANSEF): a group of 59 brilliant minds representing 16 research teams in fields like biotechnology, physics, archaeology, and nanotechnology. The ANSEF grants of $7,500 each will support their critical investigative work being done in Armenia.

Out of 129 competitive applications, 16 projects were selected, with strong representation from young and female scientists, signaling a more inclusive and dynamic future for Armenian research. FAR remains committed to supporting Armenia’s scientists and scholars: over the past 25 years, ANSEF has awarded 622 grants, directly impacting more than 2,000 scientists. These grants not only fund groundbreaking research, but also help retain talent and combat the brain drain that has challenged Armenia’s development.

Supporting FAR is an investment in Armenia’s future, empowering brilliant minds to build a better, more innovative tomorrow. Learn more about ANSEF on the FAR website.

ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH WED EDUCATIONAL

FUND SCHOLARSHIP

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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!

UPCOMING EVENTS

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.

June 8: Pentecost (Hokekaloust)

June 16 Father's Day Celebration with Armeian Khorovats

June 10, 17, and 24 Bible Study @ 7:00 pm

25Իսկ Մխիթարիչը՝ Սուրբ Հոգին, որին Հայրը կ՚ուղարկի իմ անունով, նա ձեզ ամէն բան կ՚ուսուցանի եւ ձեզ կը յիշեցնի այն ամէնը, ինչ ես ասացի ձեզ»։26«Խաղաղութիւն եմ թողնում ձեզ, իմ խաղաղութիւնն եմ տալիս ձեզ. ձեզ չեմ տալիս այնպէս, ինչպէս այս աշխարհն է տալիս. ձեր սրտերը թող չխռովուեն, եւ չվախենաք։ 27Լսեցիք, որ ձեզ ասացի, թէ՝ գնում եմ եւ կը գամ ձեզ մօտ. եթէ ինձ սիրէիք, ապա դուք ուրախ պիտի լինէիք, որ ես Հօր մօտ եմ գնում, որովհետեւ իմ Հայրը մեծ է, քան ես։ 28Եւ հիմա ասացի ձեզ, երբ դեռ չի եղել, որպէսզի, երբ լինի, հաւատաք։ 29Այլեւս երկար չեմ խօսի ձեզ հետ. գալիս է աշխարհի իշխանը եւ իմ վրայ ոչ մի իշխանութիւն չունի։ 30Իսկ որպէսզի աշխարհը գիտենայ, որ ես սիրում եմ Հօրը, այնպէս եմ անում, ինչպէս որ Հայրը պատուիրեց ինձ. դե՛հ, վե՛ր կացէք գնանք այստեղից»։

Յովհ. 14:25-31

25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my, Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so, I do. Arise, let us go hence.

John 14:25-31

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