May 2

TOP STORY   

Sunday Of The World Church (Green Sunday)



The second Sunday following the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Sunday of the World Church. It commemorates the first Church of Jerusalem, established by Christ. On the first day of the Jewish festival of Passover, Jesus instructs two of the Apostles, Peter, and John, to go into Jerusalem and meet a man, who would direct them to a house where Christ and His Apostles could celebrate the Passover Feast. Peter and John are led to the "Upper Room" of a house, where they make the necessary preparations for the meal.

Later that evening, Christ and the Twelve Apostles sit together to eat supper. Christ speaks to them and says, "I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come." And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave unto them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me." Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you." (Lk 22:15-20)

This "Last Supper" was the event where Jesus Christ established the Sacrament of Holy Communion, which we celebrate every Sunday during the Divine Liturgy in Armenian Churches throughout the world. The Upper Room in Jerusalem is considered to be the first Church, as founded by Christ.

The Sunday of the World Church is also called "Green" Sunday, which according to Archbishop Malachia Ormanian, is the popular name of the feast and is linked with the awakening of nature in the springtime.

May 4, 2025

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

11:00 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Mrs.Marina Gagikyan

Parish Council Members on Duty

Mr.Artur Sivaslian

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:

Acts 9: 23-31

1 Pt 2:1-10

John 2.23-3.12

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Souls of:

Daniel Maghrablian and Virgin Maghrablian,

Hasmig Enfiedjian

Requested by:

Levon Maghrablian

For the Souls of:

Varujan Kaldirim (40days)

Requested by:

Cubuk, Chubukian and Sivaslian families

Hospitality Table is Hosted by:

Chubukian and Sivaslian families

Prayer of the week

Christ our God, you crown your saints with triumph and you do the will of all who fear you, looking after your creatures with love and kindness.

   Hear us from your holy and heavenly realm by the intercession of the Holy Mother of God and by the prayers of all your saints, especially the Holy Martyrs who gave their lives during the Armenian Genocide for faith and for the homeland, whom we commemorate today.

   Hear us, Lord, and show us your mercy. Forgive, redeem, and pardon our sins. Make us worthy thankfully to glorify you with the Father and with the Holy Spirit. Now and always unto the ages of ages. Amen.

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

Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide

at St. Mary Church



On Sunday, April 27, the St. Mary Armenian Church community gathered to commemorate the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide with a moving liturgy, reflection, and an ecumenical prayer service. Falling on New Sunday—the Sunday after Easter—the commemoration carried a powerful message of Resurrection hope in the face of historic suffering.

In his sermon, Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan reflected on the meaning of New Sunday as an invitation to live as people of the Resurrection, linking Christ’s victory over death with the enduring witness of the Armenian Martyrs, canonized in 2015. Their unwavering faith, even unto death, remains a living testimony to the power of the Cross and Resurrection.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a special Ecumenical Prayer Service was held, organized in collaboration with Churches for Middle East Peace. Joining the service were: His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate and Vice-Moderator of the World Council of Churches. Fr. Russell McDougall, Executive Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, international scholar and advocate for religious freedom. Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace. Special guests in attendance included Ambassador Lilit Makunts and members of the staff from the Embassy of Armenia, as well as Robert Duke, Chief Curatorial Officer of the Museum of the Bible.

The commemoration continued with a moving performance by the Shnorhali School students, led by Haykaram Nahapetyan, honoring the faith and resilience of the martyrs through drama and song. The day concluded with a warm reception organized by the dedicated efforts of volunteers and parents, offering a space for fellowship and reflection.

Join Us for St. Mary's Annual Spring Food Festival!



At St. Mary, we are very excited to host the 15th Annual Armenian Spring Food Festival on May 16th, 17th, and 18th, 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.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to enjoy great food, connect with your community, and support St. Mary in our biggest event of the year.

To donate, pre-order, or sign up to contribute, please visit the links provided below. Your generosity and spirit are what make this festival possible.

All donations are tax-deductible. 

St. Mary Annual Armenian Spring Food Festival

Dear Parishioners,

St. Mary’s Spring Food Festival is right around the corner (May 16–18), and we’re so excited to kick things off! Our very first workshop is happening this weekend, and we’d love for you to be part of the fun. Be sure to check out the Signup Genius link (CLICK HERE) — it’s your one-stop shop for all the upcoming Food Festival workshops and the volunteer spots we need to fill to make this event a huge success!

Please click on the link below to complete the volunteer form if you would like to participate in any of the workshops. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

Aurora of Hope: The Christian World’s Role in the Armenian People’s Survival



On April 27, students of St. Nerses Shnorhali School presented Aurora of Hope: The Christian World’s Role in the Armenian People’s Survival at St. Mary Armenian Church. The production marked the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and honored the international humanitarian efforts that supported Armenians during their darkest hour.

Combining documentary narrative with dramatic performance, the program began with a tribute to the Armenian people's ancient presence and cultural contributions in their historic homeland. Students then explored the role of international Christian figures, missionaries, clergy, and physicians, who, beginning in the 19th century, extended aid and solidarity to Armenians facing Ottoman repression.

A central focus was placed on Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, and her humanitarian mission to Constantinople during the Hamidian massacres, where her efforts helped save nearly 50,000 Armenian lives. Students also portrayed pivotal figures such as U.S. Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, Vatican representative Angelo Dolci, and German physician and photographer Armin Wegner, whose courage and advocacy helped document the Armenian Genocide and bring global awareness to the suffering.

“We did not merely recount a historical event; we paid tribute to the brave individuals who chose the noble path of humanitarianism,” said School Principal Nunik Nishanian.

History teacher Haykaram Nahapetyan emphasized that although the performance featured artistic and theatrical elements, it was firmly rooted in primary sources and historically verified material. Throughout the presentation, musical selections prepared by music teacher Armine Khachatryan added depth and emotional resonance, beautifully accompanying the narrative and enhancing the students’ powerful message.

Father Hovsep of St. Mary Armenian Church welcomed ecumenical guests who gathered in solidarity and remembrance. Rev. Vigen Aykazian shared personal reflections on missionaries who aided Armenians, stating, “We will never forget those who stood by us.”

The performance served not only as a lesson in history but also as a heartfelt expression of gratitude and remembrance, one carried forward by a new generation.

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

Catholicos Karekin II: “Christ Broke the Chains of Death”

For the first time in a decade, the vaults of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin rang with the Easter refrain of the Armenian Church, “Krisdos haryav ee merelots,” as His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday: the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Prior to its re-opening in the fall of 2024, the Mother Cathedral had been undergoing a years-long process of restoration and repair. But on this Easter morning, its splendor was fully revealed to the worshippers who packed the sanctuary celebrate Christ’s resurrection, and receive Catholicos Karekin II’s blessing.

His Easter sermon on April 20 addressed the reality of the Resurrection, and the power of hope it contains. Christ’s resurrection “broke the chains of death, brought forth the light of salvation into the world, and made those who believe in Him heirs of eternal life and the Kingdom of Heaven,” the Catholicos said. “The course of human history was transformed, and the meaning of life revealed.”

His Holiness also struck more somber notes, as he surveyed the difficulties Armenians have endured, in recent years and throughout history.

Yet even in the face of the harshest realities, the Resurrection is an assurance that hope for the future is not in vain. “We are heirs of the grace of the Lord’s Resurrection,” His Holiness said, “and with unshakable faith, we are capable of transforming our sufferings and losses into national rebirth—by remaining faithful to the Lord’s commandments and by expressing unreserved love and devotion toward our people and homeland.”

“Let us unite around our faith, our identity, our values, our history, our statehood, and our shared vision for the future,” he said.

Click the following links to:

• READ His Holiness’ Easter message in English and Armenian.
• VIEW photos of the Easter liturgy.
• WATCH a video digest of the service, including Catholicos Karekin II's sermon.

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

Training Armenia’s Next Generation of Innovators

Thanks to the Fund for Armenian Relief, 23-year-old Hovhannes Tosunyan (seen here) has been able to turn his childhood love for drawing into a thriving career in 3D modeling.

His journey began at FAR’s Gyumri Information Technologies Center (GITC), through a program supported by the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA). Its aim is to help veterans of the 2020 Artsakh war build new careers in high-tech fields. With GITC’s help, Hovhannes developed his skills and, in March 2024, completed an advanced Blender course. Not long after, he secured a job as a machine-building parts modeler, setting him on the path to a promising future.

Since the program’s launch in 2021, some 500 veterans have gained valuable skills for future careers. Learn more about how FAR is helping to train and shape Armenia’s next generation of innovators, on FAR’s 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 11 Mother's Day Celebration, Shnorhali School

May 16-17 -18 Spring Food Festival

May 29 Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ

23Եւ երբ Յիսուս զատկի տօնին Երուսաղէմում էր գտնւում, շատեր հա¬ւատացին նրան, քանի որ տեսնում էին այն նշանները, որ կատա¬րում էր։ 24Բայց Յիսուս անձամբ վստահութիւն չունէր նրանց նկատ¬մամբ, որովհետեւ ինքն ամենքին ճանաչում էր 25եւ կարիք չկար, որ ո¬րեւէ մէկը վկայէր մարդու մասին, քանի որ ինքն արդէն գիտէր, թէ ինչ կար մարդու հոգու մէջ։ Եւ փարիսեցիների մէջ Նիկոդեմոս անունով մի մարդ կար, որ հրեաների իշխանաւոր էր։ 2Սա գիշերով եկաւ նրա մօտ ու նրան ասաց. «Ռաբբի՛, գիտենք, որ Աստծուց ես եկել որպէս վար¬դապետ, որովհետեւ ոչ ոք չի կարող կատարել այն նշանները, որ դու ես անում, եթէ Աստուած նրա հետ չլինի»։ 3Յիսուս պատասխա¬նեց եւ ասաց նրան. «Ճշմարիտ, ճշմարիտ եմ ասում քեզ, եթէ մէկը վե¬րըստին չծնուի, չի կարող Աստծու արքայութիւնը տեսնել»։ 4Նիկոդե¬մո¬սը նրան ասաց. «Ինչպէ՞ս կարող է ծնուել մի մարդ, որ ծեր է. միթէ կարելի՞ է իր մօր որովայնը կրկին անգամ մտնել ու ծնուել»։ 5Յիսուս պատասխան տուեց եւ ասաց. «Ճշմարիտ, ճշմարիտ եմ ասում քեզ, ե¬թէ մէկը ջրից ու Հոգուց չծնուի, չի կարող Աստծու արքայութիւնը մտնել. 6որովհետեւ մարմնից ծնուածը մարմին է, իսկ Հոգուց ծնուա¬ծը՝ հոգի։ 7Դու մի՛ զարմացիր, որ քեզ ասացի՝ պէտք է ձեզ վերստին ծնուել. 8որովհետեւ քամին ուր ուզում է՝ փչում է, եւ նրա ձայնը լսում ես, բայց չգիտես որտեղից է գալիս կամ ուր է գնում. այսպէս է եւ ա¬մէն ոք, որ Հոգուց է ծնուած»։ 9Նիկոդեմոսը հարցրեց նրան. «Այդ ինչ¬պէ՞ս կարող է լինել»։ 10Յիսուս պատասխանեց եւ ասաց նրան. «Դո՛ւ ես Իսրայէլի վարդապետ եւ այդ չգիտե՞ս։ 11Ճշմարիտ, ճշմարիտ եմ ա-սում քեզ, խօսում ենք, ինչ որ գիտենք, եւ վկայում ենք, ինչ որ տեսել ենք, եւ մեր վկայութիւնը չէք ընդունում։ 12Իսկ արդ, եթէ երկրաւոր բա¬¬ներ ասացի ձեզ, եւ չէք հաւատում, ապա ինչպէ՞ս պիտի հաւա¬տաք, եթէ երկնաւոր բաներ ասեմ։

(Յովհ. 2:23-3:12)

Now he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs which he did; but Jesus did not trust himself to them, because he knew all men and needed no one to bear witness of man; for he himself knew what was in man. Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.' The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can this be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?"

(John 2:23 - 3:12)

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