June 14

TOP STORY   

Still Mightier Than the Sword

It is a rare thing when a national culture is revolutionized by a small group of scholars. But that is exactly what happened in 5th-century Armenia, through the efforts of the Holy Translators. The leaders of the movement—Catholicos Sahag Partev and Mesrob Mashdots—truly gambled when they imagined creating an Armenian version of the Bible.

But their risk paid off. The unique Armenian alphabet they devised for the Bible was quickly deployed to translate great works of theology, philosophy, and history. As a result, literate Armenians could connect, as never before, with the great minds of the past: to absorb the wisdom of other cultures, and the lessons of other times.

Far from narrowing the worldview of Armenians, the Holy Translators broadened it, transforming it into a heritage that could—and would—defy the sword of invaders, and endure calamity and dispersion, while aspiring to the highest forms of the arts and humanities.

That is the spirit the Translators laid down some 16 centuries ago, and it is a spirit we will celebrate on the feast day dedicated to St. Sahag and St. Mesrob—observed this year on June 20. It is a spirit born from a love of Christ and expressed in treasures of faith, culture, and language that Armenian Christians can still pass on to their children and grandchildren.

Click here to read more about their story. And honor the day by passing on that story to someone you love.

Pictured: Frescos of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob from the side altars of St. Mary Armenian Church, Washington, DC.

June 16, 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

Ohannes Sivaslian

Choir

Dr. Hratch Semerjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:

Isaiah 1:21-31, 

Romans 7:25-8:11

Matthew 12:38-45

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of:

Nelli Gevorgyan

(10th month)

Requested by:

Sister Nonna Gevorgyan,

Niece Zara Harutyunyan



Hokehangist Table Hosted by:

Gevorgyan and Harutyunyan Families

Prayer of the Week

Dear Lord, you parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River as your people journeyed to the Promised Land.

Lift away those things that keep us from you today, as we continue the journey.

We ask this in your name, and with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Keep watch, Lord, over your faithful people and the holy soil of Artsakh and Armenia, now and always. Foil every aggressor against our homeland. Defend the innocent and voiceless, Lord.

Deliver the world from every conflict, and bestow your peace on all mankind. Amen.

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

Join us this Sunday at St. Mary's for an uplifting worship experience!

Delight in the beauty of our blooming lilies and the serene presence of our cherished Armenian Apricot tree. Come and be part of a warm and welcoming community where worship and fellowship unite in harmony. Embrace the rich traditions of the Armenian Church and feel the comforting embrace of the Holy Spirit.

We can't wait to welcome you with open arms and joyful hearts!

Fatherhood: Privilege, Duty, Blessing



Sunday will be observed as Father’s Day across the United States: a chance to reflect, with gratitude, on the deeper meaning of fatherhood. While the surrounding popular culture often fails to treat fatherhood with due seriousness, the Armenian Church accords great reverence and respect to fathers.

The greatest tribute we pay to fatherhood lies in the way we apply the word “Father” to God. Our ability to call upon Him as our Father is a privilege and blessing—beautifully conveyed in prayer from our Divine Liturgy:

“God of truth and Father of mercy, we are grateful that you have exalted us above even the Old Testament patriarchs. For you were called ‘God’ to them, but you are pleased to be named ‘Father’ to us.”

The priest recites this prayer right before the congregation sings the Hayr Mer—reminding us that it was Jesus, God’s only-begotten Son, who taught us to call God “Our Father.” And when we understand God in terms of His Fatherhood, we also understand godliness to be the duty to which all fathers are called.

This Sunday, thank the fathers who strive to provide such an example in your own life and remember those who have departed this world in your prayers.

Dinner and Dance with Bartev at St. Mary: A Night of Music, Fellowship, and Support



On Saturday, June 8, St. Mary Church Hall was filled with the joy of community as 125 parishioners gathered for an unforgettable evening. The night was marked by delectable food, vibrant music, and the warmth of friends and family, creating memories that will be cherished for years to come.

The highlight of the evening was the captivating performance by Bolsahay singer Bartev, who traveled from Bolis to grace us with his extraordinary talent. His lively music had everyone tapping their feet and swaying to the favorite and nostalgic rhythms of Armenian music, adding a special touch to an already magical night.

This special event was not just about enjoyment; it was also a tribute to the past and present volunteers of St. Mary's Gift Shop and a heartfelt initiative to support its renovation. Everyone had a wonderful opportunity to express their appreciation to all the Visionaries and Contributors: Mr. Gary Avedikian, of blessed memory, who established the Bookstore at St. Mary Church; Mr. Armik Khachatourians, who furthered the growth of St. Mary Bookstore; Ms. Shoghig Sahakyan & Ms. Takuhi Hallajian, who transformed the Bookstore to St. Mary Gift Shop in 2011; Ms. Aline Guiragossian & Ms. Rebecca Petrosian who operated it from 2012 to 2020; and Mr. Raffi Sahakyan, who currently operates the St. Mary Gift Shop since 2020.

Appreciation was also expressed to the Gift Shop Volunteers: Ms. Malvina Brown, Ms. Nayiree Sarkisian, Ms. Roxanne Kumkumian Schweitzer and Ms. Anna Seferian.

This event was made possible by the relentless work of many volunteers. Thank you to the Organizing Committee; Aline Guiragossian, Anna Seferian, Janet Arabian, Nayiree Sarkisian, Raffi Sahakyan and Takuhi Hallajian. We extend our gratitude to the culinary specialists Mari Shafakian and Takuhi Hallajian along with their army of volunteers, and a sepcial thank you to Talin Habibian for taking care of lighting of the halls. Last but certainly not least this event would not have been successful without the support of the attendees. Your presence and generosity are greatly appreciated, and together, we continue to build and strengthen our community.

Proceeds from the evening will benefit the renovation of the St. Mary Gift Shop, ensuring it continues to serve our parish with excellence and love.



Stay tuned for more events and updates, and thank you for being a part of the St. Mary Church family!

SHNORHALI SCHOOL CELEBRATES A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENT WITH A SPECTACULAR RECITAL AND GRADUATION CEREMONY

As we close another remarkable school year, Shnorhali School stands proud, reflecting on an incredible journey marked by academic excellence, vibrant extracurricular activities, and unforgettable moments. Our students' dedication, talent, and enthusiasm have shone brightly, making this year a testament to their hard work and resilience.

On June 2nd and 9th, the students, teachers, parents, and relatives of Shnorhali School, alongside the esteemed Ter Hovsep, pastor of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, gathered in the church hall to honor the outstanding accomplishments of our students with end-of-year celebrations.

FAR’s Online Annual Report: A Year of Record-Making Impact

Support for the Fund for Armenian Relief can change individual lives and whole communities in Armenia. Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has assisted Armenians through immediate crisis response as well as long-term sustainable development programs.

Following the occupation of Artsakh in September 2023, FAR provided urgent humanitarian aid to over 5,000 displaced people with the support of donors from the Eastern Diocese. Generous contributors from across the Diocese have also helped provide scholarships, fund small business grants, promote inclusion of people with disabilities, care for our elders, facilitate foster parenting, train village doctors, and so much more.

FAR’s visionary “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Program” (BCPP) celebrated its 10th year of operation in 2023, fostering self-sufficiency in Armenia’s Tavush region, and more recently expanding to the Ijevan and Noyemberyan regions.

Also, FAR’s fundraising platform “Ayo!” has seen its most successful year, raising over $250,000 to fund big-impact, tightly-targeted development projects, and engaging more than 500 new donors.

With your support, the Fund for Armenian Relief can continue to empower communities and people in Armenia. Learn more and join the movement by reading FAR’s Online Annual Report.

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 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.

June 30 ACYOA meet and greet

July 7 Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord

August 18 Feast of Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."39 He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.43 "When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied swept clean, and put in order.45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

(Matthew 12:38-45)

38 Այն ժամանակ օրէնսգէտներից եւ փարիսեցիներից ոմանք նրան պատասխան տուեցին ու ասացին. «Վարդապե°տ, քեզնից մի նշան ենք կամենում տեսնել»: 39 Նա պատասխան տուեց նրանց ու ասաց. «Չար եւ շնացող ազգը նշան է փնտռում. այլ նշան չի տրուի նրան, բայց միայն Յովնան մարգարէի նշանը. 40 որովհետեւ, ինչպէս Յովնանը երեք օր ու երեք գիշեր կէտի փորի մէջ էր, նոյնպէս եւ մարդու Որդին երկրի ընդերքում` երեք օր ու երեք գիշեր: 41 Նինուէի մարդիկ դատաստանի ժամանակ այս ազգի դէմ պիտի դուրս գան եւ պիտի դատապարտեն նրան, քանի որ նրանք Յովնանի քարոզութեամբ ապաշխարեցին. եւ ահաւասիկ այստեղ Յովնանից մեծը կայ: 42 Հարաւի Դշխոն դատաստանի ժամանակ պիտի դուրս գայ այս ազգի դէմ եւ պիտի դատապարտի նրան, որովհետեւ նա երկրի ծագերից եկաւ լսելու Սողոմոնի իմաստութիւնը. եւ ահա այստեղ Սողոմոնից մեծը կայ»: 43 «Սակայն պիղծ ոգին դուրս է ելնում մարդուց, շրջում է անջրդի վայրերում, հանգիստ է որոնում եւ չի գտնում: 44 Այն ժամանակ ասում է` դառնամ իմ տունը, որտեղից դուրս եկայ. եւ գալիս է ու այն գտնում դատարկ` մաքրուած ու կարգի բերուած: 45 Այն ժամանակ գնում եւ վերցնում է իր հետ իրենից աւելի չար եօթը այլ ոգիներ եւ մտնում բնակւում է այնտեղ. եւ այդ մարդու վերջը լինում է աւելի վատ, քան առաջ էր. այսպէս պիտի լինի եւ այս չար սերնդին»:

(Մատթեոս 12:38-45)

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