St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
Address: 4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016
Tel: 202-363-1923
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Holy Week and Easter Schedule
Thursday, April 17 - GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY: The day's services memorialize the Last Supper, Jesus' vigil in the Garden of Gethsemane, His arrest and trial.
- Holy Badarak 6:00 PM
- Washing of the Feet 7:15 PM
- Betrayal and Passion of our Lord 8:00 PM
Friday, April 18 - GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY: The Crucifixion and Burial of Christ will be marked with two services:
- The Order of the Crucifixion of Christ 12:30 PM
- Order of the Entombment of the Lord 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 19 - GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY: The Evening Service and Scripture-reading will begin at 6:00 PM, followed by the Jrakalouyts ("Lamp-Lighting") service at 7:00 PM
Sunday, April 20 - EASTER SUNDAY: The central holy day of the Christian calendar, commemorating the discovery of Christ's empty tomb and the news of His Resurrection.
- Morning Service 9:30 AM
- Holy Badarak 10:30 AM
- Antasdan Service 12:00 Noon
We thank you for your continued support by making an Easter Youghakin Donation to St. Mary. The link below is for your convenience to "keep the lamps of our Church burning brightly."
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Beloved in Christ,
In this blessed Easter season, we renew the beautiful tradition of Easter Yughakins—a heartfelt offering made in love and remembrance of our dear ones.
Rooted in the Old Testament, Yughakin—meaning “price of oil”—once brought light to the church’s lamps. Today, it continues to shine by supporting the needs of our sanctuary, keeping the light of St. Mary alive through your generous gifts.
As we celebrate the Resurrection, let us give with joyful hearts, honoring our faith, our loved ones, and the sacred home we all share. May the light we sustain together reflect the light of Christ in our lives.
Let us keep the flame of faith and tradition burning brightly.
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St. Mary Parish Council and Der Hayr would like to thank all those who contributed towards the Easter Lilies and Yughakin Donations, supporting our church during this difficult time.
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Morning Service
9:30 AM
Holy Badarak
10:30 AM
Celebrant
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan
Usher
All Ushers
Parish Council Members on Duty
All Parish Council Officers
Choir
Mrs. Edita Kalayjian
Organist
Mrs. Karine Muradyan
Bible Readings:
Acts 1:15-26
Mark 16:2-8
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HOKEHANKIST
REQUIEM SERVICE
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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
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Prayer of the week
We rejoice for the Good News of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has been the fruit and the first born of all that have fallen asleep. He has destroyed the gates of hell, and loosed the tyranny of death; and he gave us the firm hope of the renewal of life for all men.
In faith let us ask of our Savior Jesus Christ that he may please to make us worthy of his resurrection, and to transform our lowly body into the likeness of his glorious Body. For the very God, Jesus Christ our Lord, has promised to grant this great and ineffable gift to them that love him. Amen.
| | Please tune in to St. Mary YouTube channel for the upcoming services and Badaraks | | |
Palm Cross Workshop a Great Success
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sara Arabian for organizing a wonderful Palm Cross Workshop on April 12. Youth and adults gathered to learn how to make beautiful crosses from palm leaves in preparation for Palm Sunday. Through their combined efforts, over 200 palm crosses were lovingly crafted, blessed, and distributed to the faithful during the celebration of the feast the following day.
Thank you to everyone who came out and supported this meaningful tradition!
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Palm Sunday Celebration at St. Mary
On Palm Sunday, April 13, the St. Mary community came together to joyfully mark the beginning of Holy Week with a beautiful celebration sponsored by our ACYOA. The day began with a moving Divine Liturgy, featuring a palm procession and a special blessing of the children, reminding us of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Following the service, parishioners gathered in the Church Hall for light hospitality and a special Palm Sunday program. Dr. Ani Shahinian offered an inspiring presentation titled “But take courage, I have overcome the world”: The Resurrection and Christian Martyrdom, reflecting on the hope and strength we draw from the risen Christ in the face of suffering and sacrifice.
We are grateful to our ACYOA members for their leadership and dedication in organizing this celebration.
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Palm Sunday Bake Sale
St. Mary Women’s Guild held its annual Palm Sunday Bake Sale on Sunday, April 14, offering a delicious assortment of homemade treats. Featured items included tahini choreg, Easter choreg, revani, simit, and haskanoush—all lovingly prepared by members of the community. Heartfelt thanks go out to all the women who participated in the bake sale workshops or generously donated baked goods. A special shoutout to Classic Bakery for their kind donation of choreg and gata—we truly appreciate your support.
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Preparing Hearts for Easter: A Day of Joy and Blessings at Shnorhali School
As part of the joyful season leading up to Easter, Shnorhali School’s kindergarten and first-grade students came together for a special day filled with creativity, fellowship, and faith.
The morning began with a vibrant arts and crafts session, where students, guided by their loving teachers and dedicated volunteers, created and decorated Easter-themed headbands. Each child poured their imagination into their designs, filling the room with color, excitement, and a spirit of anticipation for the holy season.
After the creative time, the children joined in joyful celebration - playing games, singing songs, and dancing together. The highlight of the day was a lively egg hunt, where the children’s eyes lit up with each discovery, their giggles and shouts of joy filling the school grounds.
The day concluded with a visit to Patarag, where the students received blessings from our beloved pastor. In the stillness and reverence of that moment, the children were reminded of the deeper meaning of the season - a time to prepare our hearts with love, gratitude, and hope.
This beautiful day of joy and spiritual connection served as a meaningful way for our youngest students to reflect on the blessings of the Easter season. It was a celebration not just of fun and tradition, but of the light and love that guide our faith.
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Shnorhali Students Visit Patarag on Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, we joyfully celebrated Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, with Shnorhali students actively participating in the Patarag and witnessing the sacred and symbolic Opening of the Doors service. This significant moment marked the beginning of Holy Week as the altar curtains were drawn open, ushering us into the sacred journey ahead.
In keeping with the rich traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Shnorhali students also took part in "The Blessing of the Youth" service. Under the guidance of Der Hovsep, they received both a message and a blessing, emphasizing the importance of their faith journey and calling them to deepen their connection with the Church as they continue to grow spiritually. The blessing highlighted their vital role in the Church and their future responsibilities as the next generation of believers.
Following the blessing, our students participated in a procession, carrying palm leaves as a symbol of the joy and hope the people of Jerusalem felt as Christ entered the city on a donkey.
Through their active participation, our students not only honored these timeless traditions but also embraced the enduring spirit of Palm Sunday, gaining a deeper understanding of Christ’s journey. They were reminded of the passion, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection of Christ, preparing them to fully embrace the profound meaning of Easter.
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Bishop Mesrop’s Easter Message: “Who Will Remove the Stone?”
In his Easter message, Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan reflects on the physical and spiritual obstacles that can confront us in life—and the power to overcome them that comes from Christ’s Resurrection.
Bishop Mesrop writes: “The Bible tells us that on the first Easter morning, the women who cared for Jesus made their way to His tomb: a tomb cut into rock, with a great stone sealing its entrance. Their hearts on that morning were heavy with grief…. The pain of loss, the ache of disappointment, the crushing burden of despair: it all weighed on them like a great stone, pressing down on their hearts.
“And as they walked, they asked a question that many of us have asked in our own lives: Who will remove the stone?
“We ask that question ourselves, don’t we? In our world today, it’s easy to feel the weight of our struggles pressing down like heavy stones. We carry burdens of worry, fear, disappointment, and regret. Life has a way of piling these stones at the entrance to our hearts, sealing away the light, joy, and peace we so desperately seek.
“But the message of Easter is clear: The power of Christ’s Resurrection will roll away every stone that weighs down your soul…. He brings Life where there is death; Hope where there is despair; Light where there is darkness.”
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Catholicos Karekin II Blesses Children on Palm Sunday
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the celebration of Palm Sunday on April 13 at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The feast has long been marked, by Catholicos Karekin’s decree, as an occasion for a ceremonial “Blessing of Children.” His Holiness presided over that ceremony at the Mother See, following a traditional antasdan (field-blessing) service. He bestowed palm and willow branches on the large crowd of children gathered in prayer.
This year’s service was an especially joyous occasion, for it marked the first Palm Sunday to be celebrated in the Mother Cathedral since its reopening last autumn. Worshippers, dignitaries, and members of Holy Etchmiadzin's monastic brotherhood filled the newly restored sanctuary to usher in the week-long observance of Holy Week, leading to Easter Sunday.
His Holiness presided over the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated by Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, the newly-elected Primate of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. In a homily, Bishop Vardan reflected on the Palm Sunday theme of opening doors. “Christ revealed that the Lord longs to enter into our lives, and gently knocks upon the door of each heart,” he said. “It is our part to open that door—to welcome Christ as the source of transformation, the author of joy, the wellspring of unity, and the giver of true peace.”
Click the following links to view photos, and to watch a video digest of Holy Etchmiadzin’s Palm Sunday observances.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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TO READ MORE NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE, CLICK HERE
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ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH WED EDUCATIONAL
FUND SCHOLARSHIP
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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.
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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!
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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.
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"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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
| | CALENDAR OF UPCOMING FEASTS AND EVENTS | | |
April 17 Great and Holy Thursday
April 18 Great and Holy Friday
April 19 Holy Saturday- Easter Eve
April 20 Easter Sunday
May 11 Mother's Day Celebration Shnorhali School
May 16-17 -18 Spring Food Festival
| | PRAYERS FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR | | Aram Andonian, Hripsime Apkarian, Markar Arutunyan, Lucy Badalian, Allison Bajger, Ellen Boudreau, Karen Calabrese, Mrs. Coleman, Leman Cubuk, Mari Dogum, Fitzgerald Ryan, Matt Girardi, Anahit Greene, Antaram Grigoryan, Susana Grigoryan, Simon Gukasyan, Karen Hatchik, Charles Hoke, Tamara Hramushina, Takvur Hubi, Jo-Anna Jacob, Edward Jamgochian, Yn. Anahid Kalayjian, Michael Kolenick, Nancy Kolenick, Jack Kooyoomjian, Helen Krikorian, Queen Manoogian, Toros Mermer, Susanna Mkrtchyan, Charles Suren Mosesian, Haik Naltchayan, Armen Mark Nostrant, Mikael Ovanesov, Zaven Ovian, Hacik Ozdul, Kamer Ozkayan, Margaret Rustemian, Sakayan Victoria, Robert Schlee, Bob Semonian, Tamara Shatvoryan, Mihran Tavoukjian, David Tonyan, Kristin Chakarian Turza, Rahmin Vaziri, Southbrook Nursing Home, Springfield, Ohio | | |
Եւ կիրակի օրը, առաւօտեան, արեւածագին եկան գերեզման: Եւ ասում էին միմեանց. «Քարը գերեզմանի դռնից մեզ համար ո՞վ պիտի գլորի»: Եւ նայեցին ու տեսան, որ գերեզմանից քարը գլորուած էր. եւ այն շատ մեծ էր: Եւ ներս, գերեզման մտնելով՝ տեսան մի երիտասարդի, որ նստած էր աջ կողմը՝ սպիտակ պատմուճան հագած. եւ զարհուրեցին: Եւ նա ասաց նրանց. «Մի՛ վախեցէք, դուք Յիսուսին էք փնտրում՝ խաչուած Նազովրեցուն. նա յարութիւն առաւ, այստեղ չէ: Ահաւասիկ այն տեղը, ուր նրան դրել էին: Բայց գնացէք ասացէ՛ք նրա աշակերտներին եւ Պետրոսին, թէ՝ ահա նա ձեզնից առաջ գնում է Գալիլիա. այնտե՛ղ կը տեսնէք նրան, ինչպէս ձեզ ասել էր»: Եւ երբ այս լսեցին, ելան ու փախան գերեզմանից, քանի որ սարսափահար էին եղել. եւ ոչ ոքի բան չասացին, որովհետեւ վախենում էին: Մարկոս 16:2-8
And very early on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; --it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:2-8
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Please Stay Current with Your Membership
St. Mary Church brings us together to worship, educate, and serve, yet we need your help to sustain this mission. We call upon you to renew, or become a new member, because dues are the largest part of our church income to help keep our beloved parish doors open.
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Your Membership
MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Help us fulfill our mission to sustain and grow our ministries, worship programs and activities to strengthen our church family for generations to come. Thank you for your generosity and support. To Learn More About Membership
To Become A Member
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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
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St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church
Serves the Greater Washington, DC and Baltimore communities. Our mission is to proclaim and grow together in our Apostolic Faith in Christ Jesus and to sustain our Christian Armenian identity. We celebrate our long and enduring legacy,
the beautiful traditions of our religious and national heritage, with Christian servitude, and with love and reverence towards our Church.
We invite you and welcome you to be a part of our church,worship with us, and experience the true love of Christ as we grow together as a community.
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Signup / Stay Connected with St. Mary Church E-Newsletters and Correspondence.
| | 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. | |
St. Mary Armenian Church, Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor
4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, DC 20016 | stmarychurchdc@gmail.com
| | See what's happening on our social site | | | | |
