May 23

TOP STORY   

Feast Of Ascension Of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Feast of Holy Ascension marks the ascent of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after His glorious Resurrection. The timing is clearly specified in the Acts of the Apostles, where it is stated that Christ presented himself alive to the Apostles, "appearing to them during forty days and speaking of the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3).

On the 40th day, after he finished speaking to the Apostles, "as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sigh." (Acts 1:9). The Gospel according to Mark sums up the same story as follows: "So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God" (Mark 16: 19). The same account is also in the Gospel according to Luke: "While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven" (Luke 24:51). There are also several references to this event in some of the other books of the New Testament."

May 25, 2025

MEMORIAL DAY BLESSING

On this Memorial Day, we pause in reverence to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

May we always remember their courage, cherish their legacy, and pray for peace in our country and the world.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

— John 15:13

St. Mary Armenian Church offers prayers for all fallen heroes and comfort for their families. Blessed Memorial Day.

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Mrs. Suzy Simonyan

Parish Council Members on Duty

Mrs. Shoghig Sahakyan

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:

Acts 20:17-38

1 John 3:2-6

 John 9:39 10:10

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of:

Spartak Vardanyan (40 Days)



Requested by:

Armine Vardanyan

For the Soul of:

Rita Vartanian

Requested by:

The Vartanian Family

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.

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

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian Awarded Doctor of Theology, Honoris Causa, from Catholic University of America

On May 17, 2025, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian was awarded the Doctor of Theology, honoris causa from The Catholic University of America, a distinguished recognition honoring his decades of leadership in ecumenical dialogue, interfaith advocacy, and defense of persecuted Christian communities around the world.

A private dinner in honor of this year’s honorary degree recipients was hosted the evening before by University President Dr. Peter Kilpatrick at the elegant Heritage Hall. The dinner gathered esteemed guests and honorees. Included were Bishop Daniel Findikyan and Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, who attended in joyful support of Archbishop Aykazian.

Archbishop Aykazian, Ecumenical Director and Diocesan Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, has long been a tireless champion of Christian unity. He has served as President of the National Council of Churches, as a member of the World Council of Churches Central Committee, and as a prominent advocate for religious freedom and justice in the Middle East.

Also honored with Archbishop Aykazian were Bishop Robert Barron, Catholic media evangelist and founder of Word on Fire; Monsignor John Enzler, longtime leader of Catholic Charities DC; Jeanne Mancini, former president of the March for Life; Dr. Steven Muncy, humanitarian and refugee advocate; and Congressman Christopher Smith, human rights legislator and defender of the unborn.

Archbishop Aykazian’s recognition not only honors his personal ministry, but also reflects the enduring presence and witness of the Armenian Church in the ecumenical and humanitarian arena. His vision, compassion, and dedication continue to inspire unity in a divided world.

St. Mary’s Annual Spring Food Festival was a Wonderful Success!

St. Mary Armenian Church hosted its 15th Annual Spring Armenian Food Festival from May 16–18, welcoming hundreds of guests from across the Greater Washington, DC area to experience the warmth, hospitality, and rich cultural heritage of the Armenian people.

The festival officially opened on Friday with delicious Armenian cuisine and lively fellowship. On Saturday evening, guests were treated to a spirited cultural performance by the Hayi Hoki Dance Ensemble, followed by the beautiful voice of Garegin Vardanyan, whose songs added an emotional and artistic depth to the celebration. Sunday’s highlight featured a moving performance by St. Mary’s Handbell Ensemble, offering a peaceful and joyful conclusion to the weekend.

Throughout the festival, visitors enjoyed shopping at the St. Mary Gift Shop, White Elephant Table, and booths hosted by local vendors. The beloved Bake Table once again offered a wide array of traditional Armenian desserts, baked in-house as well as generously donated by members of our community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Parish Council, Women’s Guild, and the many dedicated volunteers who devoted their time and talents to make this event possible. We are also deeply grateful to our Business and Individual Sponsors, whose support ensures the success of our festival each year.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, volunteered, and supported one of the most anticipated events of our parish calendar. We look forward to welcoming you again to our Fall Festival later this year!

“Joy in Suffering” — A Powerful Evening of Scripture and Fellowship

On Tuesday, May 20, the parish hall at St. Mary Armenian Church was filled with warmth and reflection as over 20 participants gathered for the second session of our Philippians Bible Study series. The evening focused on Philippians 1:12–30, a section in which St. Paul writes from prison — not with despair, but with joy, courage, and unwavering faith.

The theme for the night, “Joy in Suffering,” invited participants to reflect on how the Apostle Paul saw his imprisonment not as a setback but as a stage for the Gospel. Through a guided reading and deep discussion, we explored key verses like “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21), and considered how Paul's words challenge modern ideas of success, safety, and purpose.

Participants engaged with thought-provoking questions about Christian unity in hardship, the witness of suffering, and the way the early Church—and even Armenian saints—found joy amidst trials. The powerful witness of faith, coupled with strong attendance and thoughtful contributions from the group, made this gathering both inspiring and spiritually nourishing.

We thank everyone who joined us and invite all to attend the next session on Thursday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m., as we continue this journey through St. Paul’s joyful letter to the Philippians.

We are collecting information to congratulate St Mary parishioners who are graduating from High School or college. Do you have the information for your student? If so, please send it to stmaryyouthdc@gmail.com we will add the information to the document which will be published in the church eh-Newsletter.

• Student Name:
• School/City, State:
• Major (if graduating from college):
• Plans after graduation: (this might be a school or a job or travel - whatever his/her plans might be - or Undecided)
• a photo of your student
• please include your student's email address so he/she can be added to ACYOA Sr email list, and we can keep in touch. E-mail information will NOT be shared with the congregation.  

Application for the WED Educational Fund Scholarship is now available at St. Mary's website www.stmaryaac.org. 

The application deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year is

May 31, 2025.

Click here to access the scholarship application.

 If you have questions, contact the St. Mary Church office at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

WCC’s Armenian Heritage Conference Will Address Plight of Artsakh

An Armenian Heritage Conference, to be held in Bern, Switzerland on May 27-28, will address 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 will bring together experts on international law and human rights, historians, politicians, and representatives from international organizations.

Among the speakers is 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.

Current plans call for His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to address the conference, as will leaders of other churches.

In the lead-up to the conference, WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Jerry Pillay released a short video in which he recalls being stopped at the Artsakh border in September of 2023, on the day the ethnic cleansing of Armenians began. “Their suffering reminds us of the urgent need for a just and lasting peace,” he said in his message.

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director of the Eastern Diocese, who is also a Vice Moderator of the WCC, has been instrumental in organizing the conference, and in keeping the plight of Artsakh and its people a priority in the ecumenical movement. His message on the need for action in that cause was the subject of a brief video from the WCC.

Click the following link to learn more about the conference on the website of the World Council of Churches.

Above: The tragic exodus of thousands of Armenians from Artsakh, in 2023. (Photo by David Ghahramanyan.

Catholicos Karekin II Congratulates Pope Leo XIV

Last week, as the world learned of the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, His Holiness Karekin II extended a message of congratulations to the new Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians wrote: “On behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church, we extend our prayerful best wishes to you, as you assume the high and responsible mission of shepherding millions of Catholic believers living in the four corners of the globe.”

He went on: “In this new phase of your Apostolic ministry, we pray that God will grant Your Holiness the strength and grace to lead the Catholic Church with truth and mercy, and to bear constant witness to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in the world—which presently lives in great need of peace, justice, and spiritual renewal.

“We give thanks and praise to the Lord for the strong bond of Christian love that prospers between our two sister churches. Both have been fortified in recent times through our mutual gestures of reverence, fraternal meetings, and a shared witnessed to the Gospel.”

The Catholicos closed by wishing the new Pope Leo many years of health and spiritual strength in his leadership of the faithful flock entrusted to him by God.

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 Strengthens Geriatric Care in Rural Armenia

The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) has long been committed to strengthening healthcare in Armenia’s rural communities by empowering local professionals through targeted training and support.

As part of its “Supporting the Development of Geriatrics in Armenia” program—launched in 2023 in partnership with the Armenian Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology—FAR recently held a certified training workshop on elderly care, dementia prevention, and healthy aging.

Among the participants was Anahit Manukyan, 57, who for nearly 35 years has served as the sole healthcare provider in the remote village of Yeghegis, in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor province. Anahit cares for more than 400 residents—from school children to the elderly—offering not only medical treatment but also emotional support.

The training has equipped her with new skills—such as memory games and cognitive exercises—that she now incorporates into her care for seniors. “When you help someone feel better physically, you feel better spiritually,” Anahit says.

Learn more about this and other healthcare programs on the Fund for Armenian Relief website.

ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH WED EDUCATIONAL

FUND SCHOLARSHIP

Diocesan Scholarship Applications Available Online

Applications for Diocesan scholarships are now available online. The application deadline for the 2025-26 academic year is May 19, 2025.

 Each year the Diocese awards scholarships to promising youth who are headed to college. The Diocese seeks students who are active in their local parishes and have assumed leadership roles in their communities.

Click here to access the scholarship application. For information, contact Maria Barsoumian at (212) 686-0710, ext. 136, or e-mail mariab@armeniandiocese.org.

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.

May 27 Bible Study @ 7:00 pm

May 29 Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Hambartzoum)

May 31 Hambartzoum Ascension Luncheon @ 12 pm

June 8: Pentecost (Hokekaloust)

June 3, 10, 17, and 24 Bible Study @ 7:00 pm

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)

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