August 23

TOP STORY   

Prophet of Sorrow—and Hope

The Armenian Church liturgical calendar designates August 29 as the feast of St. Jeremiah: one of the major prophets of the Bible.

Jeremiah received his prophetic calling in a time of great promise: the reign of the godly king Josiah, during which a lost book of Moses (eventually known as Deuteronomy) was re-discovered, and a movement of spiritual renewal awakened among the Hebrew people.

But the pious king died in battle; his successors were weak and profligate; and Jeremiah’s generation saw its worst fears realized: the conquest of their holy city, Jerusalem, and the bitter exile of a nation from its homeland.

Jeremiah documented his painful experiences in the Old Testament book of his name, as well as in the aptly titled book of Lamentations. As a result, he became known to the ages as the “weeping prophet.”

Yet even in defeat, Jeremiah was something other than a voice of doom. To his people he spoke with the words of God; and they were words of hope, not despair—words that would be recalled by Armenian Christians in their own times of trial, and that resonate with extraordinary power in today’s troubled world. Click here to read more.

August 25, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Garbis Chubukian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Shoghig Sahakian

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:

Isaiah 65:8-10; 1

Heb. 6:18-7:7

John 15:1-8

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of :

Archpriest Rev. Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian

(8th anniversary)

Requested by:

Diramayr Yeretsgin Anahid Kalayjian, Dr. Zaven and Mrs. Edita Kalayjian and family, Berj Kalayjian, Fr. Avedis and Yn. Karen Kalayjian and family

For the Soul of :

Haig Ellian (8th anniversary)

Requested by:

Sue Ellian and Family

For the Soul of :

Ruben Hayrapetyan (2nd Anniversay)

Requested by:

Karine Muradyan and Arek Hayrapetyan 

For the Soul of :

Dr. Joseph Tyson

Requested by:

Chris Tyson and Sarine Zenian



 Hospitality Table donated by

Kalayjian, Ellian, Hayrapetyan/Muradyan Families

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.

    Dear Lord, you parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River as your people journeyed to the Promised Land. Lift away those things that keep us from you today as we continue the journey. We ask this in your name, and with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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

The Feast of Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God and Name Day of our Church

On the joyous occasion of the Feast of the Assumption, St. Mary Armenian Church celebrated this sacred day with a Divine Liturgy and the traditional Blessing of the Grapes service. This year's celebration, held on August 18, brought together our faithful community to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, rejoice in her Assumption into heaven, and celebrate the name day of our beloved church.

The day began with a solemn Divine Liturgy, led by Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, filling the church with prayers and hymns in veneration of the Holy Mother of God. The spiritual atmosphere was further enriched as parishioners participated in the ancient and symbolic Blessing of the Grapes ceremony. This tradition, deeply rooted in the Armenian Church, serves as a prayer for a fruitful harvest and a reminder of the abundant blessings God bestows upon His people.

Following the blessing, the grapes were distributed to the faithful, symbolizing the sweetness of God's grace. The celebration continued with a festive gathering where families and friends enjoyed the traditional Armenian Khorovats.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our parishioners for their generous contributions in memory or in honor of their loved ones. We acknowledge Malvina Vartanian, Marina Gagikyan and Anahid Nishanian for their dedication in purchasing and beautifully packaging the grapes for the ceremony. Our heartfelt thanks also go to our devoted volunteers with the support of Parish Council members, particularly Khorovatz masters Artak Azizyan, Andranik Avetisyan, Gegham Harutyunyan, Mher Barseghyan, Sergey Hunanyan, and Raffi Sahakyan who organized, donated, and prepared the delicious Armenian Khorovatz luncheon that everyone enjoyed. In addition, we would like to express our gratitude to Hasmik Khachatryan and Marina Gagikyan for working behind the scenes in the church's kitchen and for Eva Shafakian for serving Armenian coffee to our parishioners. 

May God continue to shower His blessings upon our community, granting us the strength and grace to serve our church and bring glory to His name.

Join the St Mary Teen Youth Group

The ACYOA Juniors, for teens from 13 to 18 years of age (12-year-olds to participate in local events), provides a vehicle through which young people may express themselves and demonstrate their abilities, skills, interests, concerns, and faith; developing programs through which the young people may participate, receive information, experience meaningful relationships, feel a sense of belonging, and gain exposure to the Armenian Christian faith and cultural heritage. 

Typically the group holds a monthly membership meeting (after church with pizza in the office) to plan events, socialize, and hear a brief speaker. Then the teens participate in a service project, party, or activity (bowling, skating, volleyball) once a month. The teens also travel to Eastern Diocese sports weekend events once or twice a year.  

If you have a teen who might be interested please email  rebeccaBagdasarian@yahoo.com with your name/email/phone and the name and birth date of your teen.

Dear Shnorhali School Community,

We are thrilled to announce the start of the 2024-2025 academic year at Shnorhali School, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church. The year will officially begin with the celebration of the Day of Knowledge and Education on August 25th, marking the start of another inspiring chapter in our students' educational journey. Here are the important details:

1.School Registration: The new academic year is quickly approaching! It's time to register your children for classes. Please Click HERE for details on enrollment.

2.Teacher Opportunities: We are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team! If you are committed to teaching and preserving our Faith and Armenian heritage, consider applying or sharing this opportunity. Please click HERE for more information.

3.2024-2025 Yearbooks: Our latest yearbooks have arrived, capturing the unforgettable moments of the past school year. Don’t miss out on this keepsake! Click HERE for details on how to obtain your copy are included in the flyer.

We eagerly anticipate welcoming you back to school and beginning this exciting new academic year together!

Warm regards,

Shnorhali School Administration

Bishop Mesrop’s Message on “The Power of Presence”

This week, during his pastoral visit to Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Church in Belleville, IL, Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan was inspired to share this special message with the faithful of the Eastern Diocese:

“There’s something special, something divine, about simply being there for someone. We live in a world that often measures success by how much we can accomplish, how fast we can move, and how high we can climb. But God measures our lives differently. He looks at the heart, and He values the time we take to show up for others.

“Last week, I went on a pastoral visit to the Armenian community in St. Louis, MO, and Belleville, IL. With their pastor Fr. Voskan Hovhannesyan, I visited some of our precious parishioners in assisted care centers. As I sat with them, something struck me—it wasn’t about the words I said or the prayers we offered, although those were important. It was about the simple act of being there. Being present.

“My seminary professor in Pastoral Theology used to tell us: ‘The most powerful thing you can do, guys, is show up. You may not have all the answers. You may not be able to solve all their problems. But just being there, showing that you care, can be the biggest blessing in someone’s life.’

“Isn’t that true? Our presence, our willingness to just be there, makes all the difference. God can use us to bring light to someone’s dark day, to bring comfort to someone’s pain, and to bring His love into someone’s life.

“So I want to encourage all of our faithful people in the Eastern Diocese: Be present. Take the time to visit that friend who’s been on your mind. Call that family member who might be feeling lonely. Spend time with someone who could use a little extra love and attention. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just show up.

“And as you do, remember that God sees your heart. He knows the love you’re pouring out, and He’s going to bless you for it. The Bible assures us: ‘The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed’ (Proverbs 11:25). When you refresh others with your presence, when you take the time to be there for them, God is going to refresh you in ways you never imagined.”

(Read more about Bishop Mesrop’s visit to Holy Shoghagat Church below, under Parish News.)



Վազգէն Ա (1908-1994)

Նորին Սուրբ Օծութիւն Վազգէն Ա առաջնորդեց Հայ Եկեղեցիին՝ անոր հազարամեայ պատմութեան ընթացքին դարագլուխ կազմող տարիներուն: Մանաւանդ թէ՝ ան գրեց այդ պատմութեան քառասուն տարիներու նշանակալից բազում էջերը, երբ հերոսական նուիրումով դիմագրաւեց իր դիտապետութիւնը յատկանշող ահեղ դժուարութիւնները: Խոր ու անջնջելի կնիք թողուց իր հօտին հաւաքական դիմագիծին վրայ, ինչպէս նաեւ զայն կազմող անթիւ անձնաւորութիւններուն հոգիին մէջ:

Գիտակից փութով յանձնառու եղաւ կրելու մեր ամբողջ Եկեղեցւոյ կարիքները, երբ 1955-ին բարձրացաւ Սբ. Գրիգոր Լուսաւորչի Գահը, եւ վերստին ամրացուց սփիւռքի եւ հայրենիքին հոգեւոր եւ իմացական հաղորդութիւնը: Խորագէտ էր ան, եւ անզուգական քաջութեամբ սատար հանդիսացաւ Ղարաբաղեան շարժումին, կշիռ եւ չափի նժարը բերելով մեր պատմութեան այդ դժնդակ ժամուն: Տագնապի այդ փոթորկալից օրերուն անոր հովուական ձայնը խաղաղութիւն բերաւ:

Երեսուն տարիներ առաջ՝ Վազգէն Ա Կաթողիկոսը ննջեց 1994 օգոստոս 18-ին՝ ութսունվեցամեայ—եւ տարելիցը խորհրդաբար կ’իյնայ Վերափոխման Տօնին: Էջմիածնի Սուրբ Տաճարին հովանիին տակ՝ անոր հանգստեան տապանաքարը կը կրէ հետեւեալ գիրը. “Սէր ոչ երբեք անկանի” զոր ինքնին երջանկայիշատակ կաթողիկոսը ընտրած էր: Բառեր, զորս ան կամեցաւ քանդակել յաւերժացնելու համար իր հսկայացած կեանքի ամբողջական նուիրումն ու գործը: Խօսքեր զորս կտակեց որպէս յուշարձան գալիք սերունդներուն, որպէսզի շարունակենք կեանքի բերել զանոնք մեր օրերուն:

Ոգեկոչենք այս խօսքերը երեսնամեակին առիթով: Վեհափառ Վազգէն Ա մեր ժողովուրդին համար բացաւ նոր յաւիտեաններու դռներ. Հետեւելով անոր բացած սիրոյ շաւիղներուն՝ իր յիշատակը պէտք է ներշնչէ մեզի բանալու մեր սրտերն ու հոգիները այդ ճշմարտութեան, որովհետեւ Սէր ոչ երբեք անկանի:

Remembering His Holiness Vasken I (1908-1994)

His Holiness Vasken I presided over a period of historic importance in the Armenian Church. Indeed, he made history—through the heroic way he faced the great challenges and opportunities of his time.

But he was also able to make deep, personal connections in the individual hearts of his people. After serving 38 years on the pontifical throne, he was regarded simply as the Catholicos of All Armenians: as the living embodiment of the Armenian Church. Most people had never known another catholicos, and could hardly imagine anyone else as their vehapar.

His service to those people had begun long before he took the vows of a clergyman. He was already a mature and highly-regarded intellectual in Romania when he decided to devote his life to the church. But God had chosen the man born Levon Baljian for a special role, and he embraced his destiny as Catholicos Vasken I.

At his ascension to the Throne of St. Gregory in 1955, he assumed the full burden of our entire church. He went on to become the vital bridge between homeland and diaspora. He was a shrewd, daring force behind the Karabagh movement. He brought balance to our nation at a dark time, and his voice inspired calm in moments of crisis.

Catholicos Vasken I passed away on August 18, 1994, at the age of 86—30 years ago this week (fittingly, the actual anniversary fell on the Feast of the Holy Assumption). At the news of his death 30 years ago, the line of mourners flowing through the grounds of Holy Etchmiadzin did not abate for three whole days; it included people from around the world, and from every station of life.

Inscribed upon his tombstone in the courtyard of the Holy See are the words Ser Voch Yerpek Angani (Սէր ոչ երբեք անկանի): “Love Never Falters.” It was the epitaph chosen by the blessed Catholicos Vasken himself: the words he wished to inscribe in stone, to express the totality of his life and work. They are the words he wanted future generations to remember, whenever they thought of him.

We invoke those words on the 30th year of his passing. In life, Catholicos Vasken I opened the door to many new realities for our people. His enduring memory should likewise inspire us to open our hearts, and follow in his footsteps along the path of love. For Love Never Falters.

Above: In one of the most characteristic images of his 38-year pontificate, His Holiness Vasken I lovingly consoles his people in the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia. Scroll down to read about Catholicos Vasken I in Armenian.

FAR NEWS

A Summer of Inspiration for a Budding STEM Student

Serob Harutyunyan, an 18-year-old who will soon begin his first year at Yerevan State Medical University, experienced a series of transformative firsts during the STEM camp he attended this past July. As the sole participant from his school, Serob (the tall young man standing at center in the photo above) earned this opportunity by excelling in several “chemistry and physics Olympiads” sponsored by the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) in Armenia’s Tavush Province.

The camp—which FAR organized in partnership with the NGO Հզոր Միտք (Hzor Meedk, or “Strong Ideas”)—offered Serob and 27 other high schoolers an immersive, hands-on learning experience and the opportunity to engage with scholars, conduct experiments, and tour cutting-edge science labs.

The experience not only exceeded Serob’s expectations but also solidified his passion for chemistry and biology, inspiring him to pursue a career as a surgeon—a first in his family. “My biggest takeaway from this camp is the assurance that chemistry and biology are evolving fields with plenty of opportunities,” Serob shared. “A good specialist will always be in demand.”

With your support, FAR can continue to empower bright young minds like Serob’s from Armenia’s remote regions to explore the worlds of science and technology. Learn more on FAR’s blog.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Employment Opportunity at the Eastern Diocese

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is currently seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director of the Eastern Diocese.

The Executive Director will be responsible for all administrative and operating functions for the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). This includes oversight of Administration and Operations, Finance, Communications, Facilities, Business Function/Rentals, Development, and Information Technology. The Executive Director will coordinate with the Director of Ministries for executional aspects; manage Human Resources services, including salaries; and provide support as needed.

The Executive Director will report directly to the Primate and the chair of the Diocesan Council, in accordance with the directives and policies established by the Primate and the Diocesan Council.

Please consult the job description and list of qualifications posted on the Eastern Diocese’s website. Qualified applicants should contact the Diocese via e-mail at jobs@armeniandiocese.org.

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 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.

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.

August 25 1st day of Shnorhali Sunday School

September 15 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Luncheon hosted by Ararat Avak Society

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

At that time, Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice, she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.                     

                                                                                                       (Luke 1:39-56)

Այդ օրերին Մարիամը վեր կացաւ եւ շտապով գնաց Յուդայի լեռնային շրջանի քաղաքներից մէկը, մտաւ Զաքարիայի տունը ու Եղիսաբեթին ողջոյն տուեց։ Եւ երբ Եղիսաբեթը Մարիամի ողջոյնը լսեց, մանուկը խաղաց նրա որովայնում, եւ Եղիսաբեթը լցուեց Սուրբ Հոգով եւ բարձր ձայնով աղաղակեց ու ասաց. «Օրհնեա՜լ ես դու կանանց մէջ, եւ օրհնեա՜լ է քո որովայնի պտուղը։ Որտեղի՞ց ինձ այս ուրախութիւնը, որ իմ Տիրոջ մայրը ինձ մօտ գայ. որովհետեւ ահաւասիկ, երբ քո ողջոյնի ձայնը հասաւ իմ ականջին, մանուկը ցնծալով խաղաց իմ որովայնում։ Եւ երանի՜նրան, որ կը հաւատայ, թէ Տիրոջ կողմից իրեն ասուածները կը կատարուեն»։ Եւ Մարիամն ասաց.«Իմ անձը կը փառաւորի Տիրոջը, եւ իմ հոգին ցնծաց իմ Փրկիչ Աստուծով, որովհետեւ նա իր հայեացքը դարձրեց իր աղախնի խոնարհութեան վրայ։Եւ ահա, այսուհետեւ բոլոր սերունդները ինձ երանի կը տան, որովհետեւ ամենազօր Աստուած մեծամեծ գործեր արեց ինձ համար,եւ նրա անունը սուրբ է։ Նրա ողորմութիւնը սերնդից սերունդ իր երկիւղածների վրայ է։ Նա իր բազուկով զօրութիւն ի գործ դրեց,ցրեց ամբարտաւաններին իրենց սրտի խորհուրդներով. հզօրներին տապալեց իրենց աթոռներից եւ բարձրացրեց խոնարհներին։ Քաղցածներին լիացրեց բարիքներով եւ մեծահարուստներին ձեռնունայն արձակեց։ Նա պաշտպան կանգնեց իր ծառային՝ Իսրայէլին, յիշելով իր ողորմութիւնները, ինչպէս ասել էր մեր հայրերին՝ Աբրահամին եւ նրա սերնդին, յաւիտեան»։ Մարիամը գրեթէ երեք ամիս մնաց Եղիսաբեթի մօտ եւ դարձաւ իր տունը։                  

                                                                                                    (Ղուկաս 1:39-56)

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