January 2

TOP STORY   

January 6 - Theophany 

The Birth and Baptism of our Lord 

The feast of the Theophany is one of the 5 great tabernacle feasts of the Armenian Church, and like other great celebrations, has a preparatory period of fasting. Advent is the fifty-day period of fasting and spiritual preparation that culminates in the feast of Theophany. The Armenian Church celebrates the birth and baptism of Our Lord together, remaining faithful to the practice of the early church. Theophany means the "revelation of God," as we sing during Divine Liturgy each Sunday, Kristos i mej mer haydnetsav "Christ was revealed among us."

Christ's birth (the Nativity) was heralded by the angels' message to the shepherds, "Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:8-15). Christ's birth is also marked by the visit of the wise men who followed the Star in the East to the manger where Christ lay (Epiphany or the Festival of Lights celebrating the coming of the true light to the world) (Matt. 2:2). In this way, mankind learned that God is with us ("Emmanuel") (Matt. 1:23, Is. 7:14).

Christ's divinity was also revealed at his baptism. When at the age of thirty, Jesus began his ministry, his cousin John the Baptist was preaching that people should live morally and prepare the way of the Lord (Luke 3:4). When he baptized Jesus in the River Jordan, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit of God descended upon him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22). The celebrations and dates of Nativity, Epiphany, and Baptism evolved in different ways in the Western and Eastern Churches.

The Armenian Church has remained faithful to the earlier tradition of the Eastern Churches and Jerusalem, celebrating all three together in a single great feast of the Revelation of God among us on January 6. After the Nativity Service on January 6, the Armenian Church holds a special ceremony of Blessing of the Water, during which the cross is dipped in blessed water, symbolizing the Baptism of Christ and His Theophany (Revelation). On Christmas, as on Easter, the greeting that worshipers give each other for the Kiss of Peace during Divine Liturgy is adapted to the holiday:

Greeting: Kristos tsnav yev haytnetsav(Christ is born and revealed!)

Response: Orhnyal e haytnutyunn Kristosi. (Blessed is the Revelation of Christ!)

January 4, 2026

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Ms. Marina Gagikyan

Parish Council Member on Duty

Mrs. Shoghig Sahakyan

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings

Isaiah 51:15-52:3 

Hebrews 13:18-25  

Luke 22:24-30

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of :

Peruz L. Manoukian 

Requested by:

Mariam Nishanian,

Lucia Manoukian,

Alineh Templin, & Tagvor & Selby Nishanian

Hospitality Table is Hosted by:

Nishanian, Manoukian & Templin Families

To request a Hokehankist/Requiem Service 

Please contact the Church Office

by 12:00 Noon on Thursday

202-363-1923

or Click here to see the form

Prayer of the week

With your peace, Christ our savior, which surpasses all understanding and speech, defend us and keep us fearless of all evil.

   Please keep watch over your faithful people, strengthen those fleeing persecution, and protect the holy soil of Armenia.

   Make us equal to your true worshipers, who worship you in spirit and in truth; for to the most-holy Trinity is befitting glory, dominion, and honor, now and always. Amen.

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

Blessing of the Pomegranate at St. Mary Armenian Church

On the last Sunday of the year, December 28, following the Divine Liturgy, the faithful of St. Mary Armenian Church gathered for the traditional Blessing of the Pomegranate service; an ancient and deeply meaningful ritual in the Armenian Christian tradition.

At the conclusion of the Badarak, pomegranates were brought forward to be blessed, reminding the community of a powerful spiritual symbol. As was reflected in the sermon by Der Hovsep, the pomegranate teaches us an enduring truth: many seeds, one fruit; many lives, one community; many moments, one year. Each seed represents a blessing; some visible, others hidden. Some years are marked by sorrow, others by joy, yet God gathers every seed, every prayer, every tear, and every act of faith into His loving care.

Through the blessing of the pomegranates, the congregation lifted its prayers for the year ahead, asking God to grant peace, fruitfulness, unity, and hope. The service invited all present to pause at the threshold of the new year, neither looking back with regret nor forward with fear, but upward with trust in God’s providence.

This simple yet profound ritual served as a reminder that our lives, like the seeds of the pomegranate, are held together by God’s grace. As the year came to a close, the faithful were encouraged to enter the new year ready to live faithfully, to love generously, and to hope courageously; trusting that the Lord, who has entrusted us with life itself, will bless the work of our hands, the intentions of our hearts, and the year that lies ahead.

A Joyful New Year’s Eve at St. Mary Armenian Church

On New Year’s Eve, friends and families gathered under the roof of St. Mary Armenian Church to welcome the New Year together in faith, fellowship, and joy. After a ten-year pause, this beautiful and much-loved tradition was revived, bringing together many families to mark the beginning of the New Year with excitement, warmth, and God’s blessings.

The evening was filled with laughter, conversation, and celebration as the community welcomed the New Year together. Following the midnight countdown and joyful cheers, everyone proceeded to the church sanctuary for a prayer and blessing service. Together, we thanked God for His guidance throughout the past year and humbly asked for His continued blessings, protection, and direction in the year ahead.

This meaningful gathering would not have been possible without the dedicated planning and organization of the Hovhanissyan and McClure families, along with the many volunteers and contributors whose efforts made the evening so special. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who helped revive this tradition and bring it to life once again.

Special appreciation is also extended to Bark Barbecue for generously providing the main course of the evening, and to DJ Kevork Tashjian for providing the entertainment that added energy and joy to the celebration.



As we begin a new year together, we wish everyone a blessed, peaceful, and joyful New Year, filled with faith, hope, and God’s abiding presence.

“Virtual Visitation” with Parish Leaders of Washington, DC

As 2025 wound down, the Eastern Diocese held its latest in a series of “virtual parish visitations.” Through these online gatherings, Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan has met with the leadership of every one of our local parishes, to discuss the latest developments and ongoing needs.

A meeting with St. Mary Church of Washington, DC, took place on December 18. This was the third such “virtual visitation” for the parish. Along with pastor Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, parish council members and Diocesan delegates took part in the 90-minute meeting, as did Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian, and Diocesan Council member Gregory Kolligian, who served as facilitator for the meeting.

Some 50 parishes have met with the Primate in this way over the past three years. The schedule of “virtual visitations” will proceed in the weeks to come.

Beads of Love: Shnorhali School Kindergarten Students Stand with Artsakh

This Christmas season, our youngest students of Shnorhali School showed us that even the smallest hands can make a powerful difference. Through their service project, “Beads of Love: Hands Together for Artsakh Kids,” our youngest students came together with compassion, purpose, and joy to support displaced children and families from Artsakh during a time of profound hardship.

In partnership with Amicus Youth, a youth-led nonprofit founded by one of our dedicated volunteers, Ani Nishanian, our kindergarteners carefully crafted handmade bracelets, each one a symbol of love, care, and solidarity. These bracelets were then shared with our community, with all proceeds dedicated to helping those in need.

Thanks to the generosity of our families and parish community, this heartfelt initiative raised over $700. Every dollar will directly support the Anna Astvatsaturian Foundation’s “Ser Artsakh” program, which provides essential supplies and assistance to newborns and displaced Artsakh families, offering hope, comfort, and dignity during these difficult times.

We are deeply grateful to our parents, parishioners, and supporters who embraced this project and helped turn kindness into action. Most of all, we are proud of our kindergarten students, who reminded us that compassion knows no age, and that love, when shared, can truly change lives.

Shnorhali School Christmas Celebrations & Holiday Initiatives 



This Christmas season, Shnorhali School is celebrating with a series of meaningful events that bring our students, families, and church community together.

We will celebrate the Christmas Handes on January 4, a cherished Shnorhali tradition, followed by the Christmas Candlelight Service (Ճրագալույց) on January 5. Students will participate in Patarag readings from 4:00–7:00 PM, with a light dinner and readings beginning at 6:00 PM.

These moments remind us that the season is about faith, togetherness, and joyful preparation for Christ’s birth.

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

It is that time of the year again to remind our dear parishioners and friends of their dues and pledges to St. Mary Armenian Church.

As a reminder, the dues are $250 per person and $500 per family and are due by December 31, 2025.

We depend on our faithful donors and their monetary contributions. Your membership dues not only ensure your voting privileges during our annual assembly but also shows your commitment to your church. Your support enables us to continue our mission of preaching the Word of God, reaching out to our community, and bringing the rich and wonderful blessings of our heritage and identity to all for the glory of God.

We thank you for your generous past support and hope you will continue your commitment to your church.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE 

St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church relies on the generosity of individual donors so that it may continue ensuring service to God and fellowship to the Armenian Community. Your support is deeply appreciated.

“Let Love Be the Axis of Our Lives”: Catholicos Karekin II’s New Year’s Message

As 2026 dawned at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II welcomed the New Year by presiding over the traditional “Blessing of Pomegranates” ceremony before a large crowd gathered at the King Drtad outdoor altar.

The ceremony came on the heels of the New Year’s Divine Liturgy celebrated at Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral, where worshippers had packed the sanctuary to begin the year in prayer, and to receive Catholicos Karekin II’s blessing.

Earlier, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians had addressed the worldwide faithful of the Armenian Church—anticipating the new year with hope, while acknowledging the deep concerns facing the world, and Armenia in particular.

He reassured listeners that God’s promise of renewal is always within reach. “We are a people of God,” His Holiness said, “and as the Holy Scriptures declare: ‘God is not the author of confusion, but of peace’ (1 Cor. 14:33). Heavenly graces, blessings, and peace shall abide with us, and will not cease, when we live in love, forgiveness, and harmony.”

He went on: “In this momentous hour of the year’s end, we call upon you to steadfastly uphold the faith; to confront difficulties boldly and decisively. Let us not allow the trials of the passing year to harden our hearts, nor allow complacency and indifference to weaken our hope and national spirit…. Let love for the homeland, for the people, and for the Mother Church be the axis of our lives: an inspiring force for courage and deeds; the meaning of every selfless endeavor.”

His Holiness’ message for the New Year was broadcast worldwide in a video released by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. To watch the video recording of Catholicos Karekin II’s message, click here.

Click here to read his entire message in English and Armenian.

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

Discover Our Professions of Faith in the 2026 Diocesan Calendar

This past November, the 2026 Diocesan Calendar was delivered to homes throughout the community. But a limited supply is still available for those who would like a copy.

This year’s edition—titled We Believe: Հաւատամք—pays tribute to the immortal Profession of Faith that worshippers in the Armenian Church recite during every Divine Liturgy: the Nicene Creed. Within the calendar’s pages, the words of the Creed adorn each month, in both Armenian and English.

Accompanying the text are exquisite photographs of Armenian sacred structures and devotional artwork, by which Armenian Christians have given physical expression to their spiritual belief. These, too, can be seen as “professions of faith”—whether they stand in the pastoral settings of the Old World, or the metropolitan centers of the New.

If you are not on our mailing list and would like a free copy of the 2026 Diocesan Calendar, please e-mail your name and address to angelak@armeniandiocese.org (U.S. addresses only).

Let the Beauty of Our Cathedral Ornament Your Home 

It was a year ago that the cocoon of scaffolding was withdrawn from St. Vartan Cathedral, and Phase One of the grand Cathedral Restoration Project came to a successful conclusion—on time and on budget.

As our gloriously restored cathedral welcomes visitors this Christmas, the Eastern Diocese is making a unique commemorative ornament available to the public.

Proceeds will benefit Phase Two of the St. Vartan Cathedral Restoration Project—an ambitious plan to restore and renovate the cathedral interior, slated to begin later in 2026.

This exquisite Christmas ornament—a sculpted rendering of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral—has been specially made for the Eastern Diocese by master artist Michael Aram. Fabricated from metal, and measuring three and a half inches in diameter, it is sure to become an heirloom passed down through the generations.

Displayed prominently in the home, the ornament will be a beautiful expression of your faith and love, to share with family and friends during the season of Christ’s birth and beyond.

Click the following link to learn more, and to purchase the ornament on the St. Vartan Bookstore website.

FAR NEWS

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. 

St. Mary Armenian Church

Legacy Brick Drive

Honor your loved ones with

a memorial that will last a lifetime

Buy a brick and leave your legacy at St. Mary Armenian Church.

When you buy a brick, it is then engraved with your specified words or message, installed in front of the church, and becomes

a memory to view for years to come.

Laser engraved bricks will be displayed in our Church plaza,

on both sides of our beautiful Khatchkar, and can be dedicated to those

you wish to remember, honor Loved Ones, commemorate a

a special milestone like a baptism or wedding, or

acknowledge an organization or business.

Payment can be made with PayPal or a Credit Card.

Legacy Brick Donations are Tax Deductible.

CLASSIFIED ANNOUNCEMENT

 Armenian-Speaking Caregiver Available

For information, please 📞 Contact the Church Office

Phone: 202-363-1923

Email: stmarychurchdc@gmail.com

January 4 Shnorhali School Christmas Hantes

January 5 Eve of the Theophany and Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ - Shorhali School Christmas Eve Scripture Reading 4:00–7:00 PM

January 6 Feast of the Theophany and Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

January 6 Ararat Avak Society Festive Luncheon, 1:00 PM, in church hall

January 13, 20, and 27 - Bible Study at 7 pm

February 10 and 17 - Bible Study at 7 pm

January 18 Hrant Dink Memorial hospitality by Ararad Avak Society

February 22 Annual Parish Council Meeting - in church hall, after Badarak

24 Եվ նրանց մեջ հակաճառություն առաջացավ, թե իրենցից ով պիտի մեծ համարվի: 25 Եվ նա նրանց ասաց. «Ազգերի թագավորները տիրում են իրենց ժողովուրդների վրա, և նրանք, որ իշխում են նրանց վրա, բարերարներ են կոչվում: 26 Բայց դուք այդպես չլինեք, այլ ով որ մեծ է ձեր մեջ, թող լինի ինչպես կրտսերը, իսկ առաջնորդը՝ ինչպես սպասավորը: 27 Ո՞վ է մեծ՝ սեղան նստո՞ղը, թե՞ սպասավորը: Չէ՞ որ՝ սեղան նստողը: Բայց ես ձեր մեջ եմ իբրև սպասավոր: 28 Եվ դուք եք, որ իմ փորձությունների մեջ ինձ հետ էիք մնում մինչև այժմ: 29 Եվ ես խոստանում եմ ձեզ, ինչպես և իմ Հայրն ինձ խոստացավ տալ արքայությունը, 30 որ ուտեք և խմեք իմ սեղանից իմ արքայության մեջ և նստեք տասներկու գահերի վրա՝ դատելու Իսրայելի տասներկու ցեղերին»: 

(Ղուկասի 22.24-30 )

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 But he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 

28 "You are those who have stood by me in my trials; 29 and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

(Luke 22:24-30) 

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

St. Mary Armenian Church, Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor

4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016 | stmarychurchdc@gmail.com

| 202-363-1923 | www.stmaryaac.org