September 20

TOP STORY   

A Solemn, Painful Year

“We awoke this morning to news that weighs heavily on our hearts,” wrote our Diocesan Primate in a solemn message on the morning of September 19, 2023—one year ago today

News had just broken of another large-scale military attack on Artsakh, this time resulting in the shelling of peaceful communities, and the targeting of Artsakh’s capital city, Stepanakert. What followed were tense hours for Armenians across the world. A ceasefire eventually materialized, but at great cost to the Armenians of Artsakh, with painful casualties among soldiers and civilians, and the disarming of Artsakh’s defense forces.

Worse was to come in the days that followed, as an even more desperate reality emerged. The entire Armenian population of Artsakh was driven from their homeland, in an act of state-sponsored brutality by the Azeri government that was all-too-familiar to the Armenian consciousness.

His Holiness Karekin II gave the unfolding tragedy its proper name in a message to his people: “A century after the Armenian Genocide, under the eyes of the civilized world, our people are once again tasting the bitterness of genocide.”

It has been a solemn, painful year for all Armenians. For the 120,000 Artsakh Armenians who became refugees in September of 2023—most of them settled in Armenia today—the heartbreaking injustice of being exiled from their ancestral home is only superseded by the urgent necessity of building new lives, virtually from scratch, for themselves and their families.

But the words of our Primate from a year ago still ring with wisdom and truth. “We cannot predict what the ultimate outcome will be,” he said. “But one thing stands clear to me. And that is, that in the days to come, the people of Artsakh are going to need our support more than ever before. Equally clear to me is that we must stand united, as Armenians, ready to help in any way we can."

He went on: “It is going to take great spiritual reserves to undertake this task. But our Lord Jesus Christ has given the Armenian people such strength in the past—and He will do so again. It is to Him, above all, that we must open our hearts, and ask for His help and blessing.”

That call for unity, compassion, and prayer, is as important today as it was a year ago—or at any time in our history. And as in other times of crisis in Armenian history, by the grace of God our people will endure, and move forward: continuing to build, renew, and pass on our identity to future generations, even as we vow never to forget the painful sacrifices of our history.

As Bishop Mesrop assured us a year ago: “The Lord Jesus Christ has given the Armenian people such strength in the past—and He will do so again.”

September 22, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service  10:00 AM

Holy Badarak  10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Sara Arabian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Vazrik Nishanian

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Is 14:3-17

2 Cor 10:18-11:10

Mk 10:1-12

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Souls of :

The soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives for the liberty and protection of Artsakh and Armenia

Requested by:

Robert and Elvina Avetisyan

For the Soul of :

Qajik Stepanyan

Requested by:

Erna Stepanyan and Artur Zanyan

 Hospitality Table donated by

Avetisyan family

Prayer of the Week

Lord, please keep watch over your faithful people and the holy soil of Artsakh and Armenia, now and always. Grant them strength, and lead us together through the present time of trial.

    O Lord our God, listen to the voice of supplications of your servants and keep unshaken the Republic of Armenia, which you restored through the grace of your mercy. Bless, O Lord, our ancestral land, so that the site where you first established the blessed paradise would again bloom with flowers. Bless, O Lord, everything that is good in it, and especially its appellation, the name Armenia. Amen.

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

A Prayer for the Republic of Armenia

During this difficult time for all Armenians, we cannot forget that this Saturday, September 21, marks the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Armenia. The rebirth of the Armenian homeland remains one of the most momentous developments in the history of the Armenian people. Armenia’s citizens voted for independence on September 21, 1991, and the resulting free republic became a member of the United Nations on March 2, 1992.

On Sunday, September 22, parishes of the Eastern Diocese will conduct the “Order of Thanksgiving Prayer of the Republic of Armenia.” Click here to download the prayer booklet.

This year once again, our hearts are intensely focused on the enduring security of our homeland, and the wellbeing of our people in Armenia—which now includes some 120,000 Armenians exiled from Artsakh.

Our prayers in this cause continue to be an urgent and meaningful necessity, and will surely be intensified by the unifying, sacred observances that will go forward later this month: the Blessing of the Holy Muron and the reconsecration of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. 

May our risen Lord bestow his eternal grace upon our homeland, and keep it strong under his loving protection. May He bless the souls of all who have sacrificed in its cause, and guide all its citizens in their heroic effort to overcome adversity, and endure.

Աղօթք Հայաստանի Հանրապետութեան համար

Բոլոր հայերուս համար այս դժուարին օրերուն՝ չէ կարելի մոռնալ որ սեպտեմբեր 21, շաբաթ օրը կը նշենք Հայաստանի Հանրապետութեան հաստատութեան 33րդ տարեդարձը: Մեր հայրենիքին վերածնունդը կը մնայ հայոց պատմութեան ամէնէն նշանակալից օրերէն մին: Հայաստանի քաղաքացիները քուէարկեցին անկախութեան ի նպաստ 1991 սեպտեմբեր 21-ին, եւ այդ քուէարկութեամբ գոյութիւն առած հանրապետութիւնը Միացեալ Ազգերու Կազմակերպութեան անդամ դարձաւ 1992 մարտ 2-ին:

Կիրակի, սեպտեմբեր 22-ին Արեւելեան Թեմին ծուխերը Մաղթանք Հայաստանի Հանրապետութեան համար աղօթքը պիտի բարձրացնեն: Այս տարի եւս մեր բոլորին հոգին կեդրոնացած պիտի ըլլայ հայրենիքին տեւողական ապահովութեան վրայ, եւ Հայաստանի մեր հայրենակիցներուն բարօրութեան–ուր այժմ հարիւր քսան հազարէն աւելի աքսորական ազգակիցներ աւելցած են թանկագին Արցախի հայրենիքէն:

Մեր աղօթքը այս դատին համար աւելի եւս իմաստալից է, եւ կը շարունակէ մնալ ստիպողական. վստահաբար դեռ աւելի պիտի ամրապնդէ մեզ միութեամբ այս ամսուն վերջաւորութեան կատարուելիք սրբարար խորհուրդներուն կատարումը՝ սրբալոյս Միւռոնի օրհնութիւնը եւ Մայր Տաճար Սուրբ Էջմիածնի նաւակատիքը:

Յարուցեալ Տէրը շնորհէ իր առատ պաշտպանութիւնը մեր հայրենիքին վրայ, եւ անսասան պահէ զայն իր հովանիին ներքեւ: Երանութեան օրհնութիւնը շնորհէ բոլոր անոնց հոգիներուն, որոնք զոհեցին իրենց կեանքը այս դատին համար, եւ առաջնորդէ հայրենիքի քաղաքացիներուն՝ որպէսզի հերոսաբար յաղթահարեն ամէն հակառակութիւն եւ յարատեւեն մնալ յաւերժութեամբ:

Celebration of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Khatchverats - at St. Mary Church

On Sunday, September 15, the congregation of St. Mary Church gathered to joyfully celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, one of the five major holidays in the Armenian Apostolic Church. The day began with the celebration of the Holy Badarak (Divine Liturgy). Following the Badarak, the special Antastan Service took place, during which the blessing of the four corners of the world was performed. This ancient ritual symbolizes the sanctification and protection of the earth and all creation, asking for peace, harmony, and blessings upon all people and nations.

After the beautiful services, the parishioners and friends gathered in the church hall for a festive meal hosted by the St. Mary Ararat Avak Society. The hall was filled with warmth and community spirit as parishioners came together to share a delicious meal, celebrate the holiday, and strengthen bonds within the community.

Special thanks go to Eva, Takuhi, Mary Shafakian, and Raffi Sahakyan for their remarkable culinary talents and dedication in preparing a meal for over 100 people. Their tireless efforts and attention to detail ensured that the feast was both plentiful and delicious, providing a wonderful conclusion to a meaningful day of spiritual celebration.

We are deeply grateful to all those who contributed to making this event a success. From those who volunteered their time and talents to those who participated in the services and celebrations, your support strengthens our church and its mission. As we continue to celebrate our faith and heritage, we are reminded that it is through these shared experiences and collective efforts that our community thrives.

Let us carry forward the spirit of unity, love, and gratitude as we look ahead to more joyful celebrations together.

Baklava and Boorma Workshop Organized by St. Mary Women's Guild

On September 14, the St. Mary Women's Guild hosted a highly anticipated Bakhlava and Boorma workshop in preparation for the upcoming Food Festival, which will take place from October 4-6. This workshop brought together over 25 dedicated women from the church community who volunteered their time and energy to create these delicious traditional Armenian desserts.

The workshop was a lively and collaborative effort, with participants working side by side to prepare large batches of Bakhlava and Boorma. These desserts will be a highlight at the Food Festival, one of the major events in the St. Mary Church community that draws in attendees from all over. The festival’s success relies heavily on the careful planning and hard work of its many volunteers.

We encourage everyone to join us for future workshops and help in any way they can. The next workshops will take place on Tuesday, September 24, and Wednesday, September 25. Your participation and support are vital to making this event a success. Please consider signing up using the link below.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of our dedicated volunteers, without whom this event would not be possible. Your time, effort, and commitment are deeply appreciated. God bless you all.

Appreciation Corner: Honoring Our Generous Supporters

We are deeply grateful to Ms. Alis Marashelian for her incredibly generous donation of two stainless steel coffee urns, each with a 100-cup capacity. This thoughtful contribution will greatly enhance our community events and gatherings, providing us with a valuable resource that will be cherished for years to come. Ms. Marashelian’s kindness and willingness to support our church is truly heartwarming, and we are immensely appreciative of her actions.

In addition, we would like to express our sincere thanks to Mr. Voskan Galushian for his invaluable repairs to the church altar items, including the silver cross and incense box. His exceptional jewelry skills and dedication have made a significant impact on preserving these cherished items. We deeply appreciate his ongoing support of our church, and we are truly fortunate to have him as part of our community.

In this spirit of gratitude, we also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to each member of our congregation who continuously supports our church in various capacities. Whether through volunteering time, offering skills, or making donations, your dedication is the foundation upon which our vibrant community is built. Your unwavering commitment and generous spirit are what keep our church thriving and ever-growing.

As we continue to serve one another and our greater community, let us remember that it is the collective effort and shared passion of all our members that enable us to create a nurturing and compassionate environment. Thank you all for your ongoing support and for making our church such a special place.

Join Us for the 76th Annual Armenian Fall Food Festival! 



St. Mary Armenian Church warmly invites you to our 76th Annual Armenian Fall Food Festival, a celebration of tradition, community, and, of course, incredible food!

Indulge in a variety of Traditional Armenian Dishes, including:

• Lamb Kabob Platter and Chicken Kabob Platter (both served with pilaf & salad)
• A selection of A la Carte Items: Yalanchi, Eech, Boreg, Eggplant, Hummus & more
• Delicious Desserts: Baklava, Haskanoush, Cheese Kadayif, Simit & more

Event Schedule:

• Friday, October 4: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Saturday, October 5: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Sunday, October 6: 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
•  Location: St. Mary Armenian Church

Exciting Announcements!

• Vendors: Explore a variety of unique items and crafts from Friday through Sunday.
• Entertainment: Enjoy live music and dance performances throughout the festival.
• Silent Auction: Bid on wonderful items and experiences!

Come and be part of this joyful celebration, where delicious food, great company, and lively entertainment come together to create unforgettable memories.

See you there!

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.

Register Now for the ACYOA Seniors National Fall Retreat

Online registration is now open for the ACYOA Seniors National Fall Retreat—scheduled to take place over the weekend of November 8-10, at Camp Washington in Lakeside, CT.

All young adults, 18 years and older, are encouraged to participate in this weekend-long program hosted by the ACYOA Central Council. Click the following links to download a Fact Sheet with background on the retreat (including arrival and departure information), and to view a flyer.

To field remaining questions, feel free to contact Jennifer Morris at jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org, or the ACYOA Central Council at acyoacc@gmail.com.

Click here to register online now. A confirmation e-mail containing further details will be sent to all registrants. The registration deadline is Friday, October 25.

An Evening of Honors at the New York Mayor’s Residence

Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan was among the community leaders receiving special honors this week from New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

In a ceremony overlooking the East River on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Adams hosted the annual Eastern European Cultural Heritage Reception at his residence, the historic Gracie Mansion.

The mansion’s garden was filled with festive spirits, celebrating the many cultures of Eastern Europe that have made their presence known across the city. Cultural music was played throughout the night, and tables were filled with an assortment of regional foods like pierogies and kebabs.

Speeches by various city and state council members all led to an address by Mayor Adams, in the course of which he honored Bishop Mesrop as a pillar of the Armenian community in New York City.

In his grateful remarks, the Primate honored the survivors of the Armenian Genocide who fled persecution in the Ottoman Empire and found a home in the United States. “This recognition isn’t about me,” he said. “It’s about the legacy of our ancestors: the survivors of the Genocide, who endured unimaginable hardship and yet, through faith and resilience, laid the foundation for the blessings we enjoy today.”

"They came to America, to this great city of New York, not just to survive, but to thrive. And they did—planting roots, building communities, and contributing to the beautiful mosaic of cultures that makes New York so special. Their resilience and faith remind us that no matter the challenges, when we stay rooted in hope, God will guide us to brighter days.”

Click here to view photos from the September 17 event.

The Cross is Shining—But the Work Goes On

As the scaffolding is gradually being withdrawn from St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, its new cross—ten feet tall, and gilded to a golden brightness—shines gloriously over New York City, as a beacon of our faith, and a powerful testimony to the world.

Your generosity made it possible—and continues to support the major project to restore our spiritual home to its original grandeur!

But the project is far from over: there is more work to be done, to repair the damage caused by decades of weathering.

Your contribution today will continue this exciting revitalization. Join the effort to Renew the Vision of our forefathers, and Cement the Future for generations to come.

Click here to donate now

And follow the progress of the restoration project at StVartan.org.

FAR NEWS

MarketWatch Spotlights FAR’s Role in Armenia’s Tech Sector

The Fund for Armenian Relief and its Gyumri Information Technologies Center (GITC) were spotlighted in MarketWatch, a leading global financial news outlet, for their role in Armenia’s growing tech hub. The feature includes interviews with key figures like GITC board member Peter Michaelian, GITC Executive Director Amalya Yeghoyan, and Arda Nazerian of the Armenia Project.

Amalya Yeghoyan, who spoke at the United Nations recently on technology's role in empowering women, emphasized the U.S.’s critical contribution to Armenia's tech industry through expertise and investment. GITC, founded by FAR, has been instrumental in training over 15,000 youth across Armenia in vital tech skills like web technology and electrical engineering.

MarketWatch, part of Dow Jones & Company, reaches over 16 million monthly visitors, bringing global attention to Armenia’s tech transformation.

Click the following links to read the MarketWatch story on Armenia’s booming tech sector, and to learn more about GITC and its current initiatives.

Above: Addressing the UN on the tech sector’s role in empowering women in Armenia, are (l-r) GITC Executive Director Amalya Yeghoyan; member of Armenia’s National Assembly Lilit Stepanyan; and Armenia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan.

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.

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

October 27 "Parallel Faiths and Fates: Armenians and Syriacs in their Ancestral Lands, Past and Present" Lecture

November 21 Presentation of the Holy Mother-of-God to the Temple

December 9    Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

Յիսուս այնտեղից վեր կացաւ եկաւ Հրէաստանի սահմանները, Յորդանանի միւս կողմը. եւ ժողովուրդը դարձեալ գնում խռնւում էր նրա շուրջը, եւ նա, ինչպէս սովոր էր, նորից ուսուցանում էր նրանց։ 2Իսկ փարիսեցիները մօ¬տե-ցան եւ նրան փորձելով՝ հարց տուին ու ասացին. «Օրինաւո՞ր է, որ մարդ իր կնոջն արձակի»։ 3Նա պատասխան տուեց նրանց եւ ասաց. «Մով¬սէսը ձեզ ի՞նչ պատուիրեց»։ 4Եւ նրանք ասացին. «Մովսէսը հրաման տուեց արձակելու թուղթ գրել եւ արձակել»։ 5Յիսուս պատասխանեց եւ ասաց նը-րանց. «Ձեր խստասրտութեան պատճառով գրեց այդ պատուիրանը, 6մինչ-դեռ արարչագործութեան սկզբից Աստուած արու եւ էգ ստեղծեց նրանց»։ 7Եւ ասաց. «Դրա համար տղամարդը պիտի թողնի իր հօրն ու մօրը եւ պի¬տի գնայ իր կնոջ յետեւից։ 8Եւ երկուսը մի մարմին պիտի լինեն, եւ այլեւս եր¬կու չեն, այլ՝ մէկ մարմին։ 9Արդ, ինչ որ Աստուած միացրեց, մարդը թող չբաժանի»։ 10Եւ աշակերտները տան մէջ դարձեալ նոյնը հարցրին նրան։ 11Եւ նրանց ասաց. «Եթէ մի մարդ արձակի իր կնոջը եւ ուրիշին առնի, շնու-թիւն արած կը լինի։ 12Եւ մի կին եթէ թողնի իր ամուսնուն եւ ուրիշ մարդու կին լինի, շնութիւն արած կը լինի»։

Մարկոս 10:1-12

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again; and again, as his custom was, he taught them. And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away." But Jesus said to them, "For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, `God made them male and female.' `For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one.' So they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." And in the house, the disciples asked him again about this matter. And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

Mark 10:1-12

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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