June 7

TOP STORY   

Armenia’s Saint of Compassion



On Saturday, June 8, the Armenian Church will remember one of its most remarkable historical figures, during the Feast of St. Nersess the Great.

As the great-grandson of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Nersess possessed all the qualities of a great spiritual leader. He built schools and orphanages, hospitals, and shelters for the poor. He instituted reforms in the church that placed Christian charity, moral cleanliness, sincere worship, marriage, and childrearing at the heart of religious observance.

But Nersess was also outspoken in defiance of Armenia’s impious leaders, and his unwavering moral integrity came at great cost.

For a contemporary take on Nersess the Great and his connection to modern social concerns, read this essay on the website of Diocesan Ministries, VEMKAR.

June 9, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan 

Usher

Rouzanna Oganissian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Catherine Sahakian

Choir

Dr. Hratch Semerjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:

Isaiah 1:1-15, 

Romans 6:12-23,

Matthew 12:1-8

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of :

Diana Minassian (7th Day)

Requested by:

Husband Ara Minassian, son Andre (Ani), grandchildren Danny and Alex Minassian, and Sister Nellie Sarkissian. Niece and nephew Peggy and Danny Mesrop (Sydney, Australia).

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

Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan Receives Dolores Zohrab LiebmannFellowship

The Eastern Diocese is pleased to announce that Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan— pastor of St. Mary Church in Washington, DC, and a doctoral candidate at Catholic University of America’s School of Theology and Religious Studies—has been awarded the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund Fellowship for the academic year 2024-25.

His research at Catholic University explores the 4th-century St. Evagrius of Pontus, and his significance within the Armenian monastic tradition. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan is the co-author with Dr. Robin Darling Young of a critical edition of Evagrius' writings, published in 2022.

“Receiving the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship is both an honor and a privilege, greatly supporting my studies and ministry,” said Fr. Karapteyan. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Diocesan Zohrab Center for their support and invaluable assistance in the application process. This fellowship will significantly aid in advancing my research and the successful completion of my program.”

Fr. Karapetyan was nominated for the fellowship by the Eastern Diocese, which since 2022 has been among the select institutions eligible to nominate one candidate per year. The first beneficiary of this process in the 2023-24 season was Arthur Ipek.

The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowships are awarded only to candidates who have outstanding undergraduate records, have demonstrated a need for financial assistance, are citizens of the United States of America, are enrolled in accredited colleges and universities in the United States, and have received baccalaureate degrees. The trustees welcome applications from students of all national origins who are United States citizens.

Applications for the next cycle of funding will be announced in the fall. To learn more, click here.

Screening of the Documentary "The Cost of Water" at St. Mary Armenian Church

On June 6, St. Mary Armenian Church hosted a special screening of the documentary "The Cost of Water," drawing about 40 parishioners and friends to the event. The documentary, produced by Vahe Ohanyan and Tehmine Yenokyan, provides a compelling investigation into Armenia's deepening water crisis.

The event began with the 42-minute film, presented in Armenian with English subtitles, exploring the alarming loss of an estimated 80% of Armenia's water resources annually. It delved into the complex causes behind this crisis, including poor water management, non-transparent governmental practices, and the far-reaching impacts of climate change. Additionally, the film addressed the exacerbating effects of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and Azerbaijan's territorial incursions, highlighting how these issues have transformed Armenia's water security and affected local communities.

Following the screening, attendees engaged in a Q&A session with the filmmakers, providing an opportunity for deeper understanding and discussion about the pressing issues presented in the documentary. The Knights of Vartan hosted a light reception before and after the film, fostering community fellowship and further conversations on the documentary's impactful themes.

ACYOA Juniors End of Year Party

The teen youth group (ACYOA Juniors) gathered on May 31st to celebrate the end of the school year and recognize the high school graduates. The Seferian family generously hosted the event, providing a delicious BBQ feast with various side dishes.

In anticipation of the upcoming October Juniors Sports Weekend in Philadelphia, Der Hovsep led the teens in a lively volleyball practice session, allowing new connections to form.

The group played a special game honoring the graduates, who shared their thoughts on the meaning of St. Mary's Church and the youth group in their lives. The festivities continued with foosball, table tennis, video games, and indoor basketball, ensuring a fun-filled celebration.

Many thanks to the Seferians for hosting the event and to all the parents for coming and bringing their teens.

Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin at St. Mary

On June 2, St. Mary Church celebrated the Feast of the Catholic Church of Holy Etchmiadzin, a celebration which commemorates the founding of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The essence of this feast profoundly expresses the story of the Armenian Christian faith, highlighting the historical and spiritual heritage of Armenian Christianity.

The celebration began with the Divine Liturgy, followed by a special service that included a prayer for the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, invoking blessings and guidance for his leadership. The prayer also emphasized the importance and sanctity of Holy Etchmiadzin, reflecting on its foundational role in Armenian Christianity and its enduring significance as a symbol of faith and unity.

Feasts like this are great opportunities for our congregation to celebrate and remember events of crucial importance for our nation and faith, reinforcing the connection of the faithful to their ancient traditions and significant spiritual leaders. They serve as a reminder of the rich heritage of the Armenian Church and her enduring legacy and of our responsibility to be good stewards of our church and faithful servants of the Lord.

End of the School Year Handes

Dear Community Members,

The Shnorhali School at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church cordially invites

you to join us in celebrating our students' academic accomplishments and the

dedication of our teachers. We have planned two special events, to be held in the

Cultural Hall of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, at 1:00 PM on Sunday,

Sunday, June 9th.

Chicago Hosts the 2024 ACYOA Assembly & Sports Weekend

Over the Memorial Day holiday, some 300 ACYOA Seniors and Armenian young adults from across the Eastern Diocese gathered in Chicago, IL, for the 2024 ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend, hosted by the ACYOA Seniors of the city’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Church.

Presiding over the General Assembly and witnessing the whole weekend of spirited fellowship was Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan. He was joined by clergy from across the Diocese, and especially its Midwest communities, all of whom were welcomed by host parish pastor Fr. Andreas Garabedian.

The weekend kicked off on Friday, May 24 with the 2024 ACYOA General Assembly, where 60 ACYOA chapter delegates representing 18 parishes, plus observers and clergy, came together to conduct business, reflect on the past year of ministries, hold elections, and engage in meaningful discussions.

Saturday and Sunday featured action-packed sports competitions, as teams representing parish chapters competed in Co-Ed Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball, Backgammon, Chess, and Mario Kart. The weekend included a gala banquet and awards ceremony, and other social gatherings.

The Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, where he delivered an inspiring sermon on the Feast of Pentecost, and blessed the incoming and outgoing members of the ACYOA Central Council.

“As a spiritual leader, I was particularly pleased to see how our youth integrated their faith into the weekend’s events,” Bishop Mesrop reflected afterwards. “Badarak on Pentecost Sunday reminded us of the importance of gratitude, humility, and seeking God’s guidance in all our endeavors. It was a beautiful reminder that sports can be a means to glorify God and strengthen our spiritual journey.”

During the same weekend, ACYOA Juniors held their own gathering: the Hye M’rtsoom sports tournament in Watertown, MA. See the item under “Youth News” for details.

Click the following links to:

• READ MORE about Sports Weekend and the ACYOA award-recipients.
• VIEW PHOTOS of the ACYOA Assembly sessions.
• VIEW PHOTOS of the sports competitions and championships.
• VIEW PHOTOS of the Gala Banquet.
• VIEW PHOTOS of the ACYOA at worship and prayer.
• WATCH a video digest of the entire weekend.

Graduation Ceremonies at St. Nersess Seminary

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary held its 2024 graduation ceremony on Friday, May 17, where clergy, the board of directors, faculty, students, alumni, and family members congratulated graduating seminarian Dn. Garen Hamamjian.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primates of the Western and Easter Dioceses respectively, presided over the occasion. It was the first time the two Primates officiated at a seminary graduation ceremony.

In St. Hagop Chapel, St. Nersess dean Fr. Mardiros Chevian opened the ceremony, which included remarks by current and former seminarians, faculty, and representatives of the board.

Archbishop Derderian offered warmhearted remarks about Dn. Garen, who hails from California. “This fine gentleman,” he said, “gifted with many talents and virtues, was a young boy when he made his first strides at St. Leon Cathedral as an altar server. Today, we celebrate his faithfulness, steadfastness, and perseverance. Despite facing numerous challenges, Garen remained focused and persevered until the end.”

Concluding the graduation was Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, who gave some personal advice to the new graduate. “This commencement is just the beginning of your journey,” he said. “Lead others to Jesus Christ, in the rich Armenian tradition, and go to those in need, with courage and in faith, by using the lessons learned at St. Nersess Seminary. God is always helping you.”

Click the following links to view photos, and read more on the seminary’s website. And please join us in congratulating Dn. Garen on this meaningful day in his ministry.

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 8 Dinner Dance with Bartev (see flyer above for details)

June 9 Shnorhali School Handes

1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn, and his disciples were hungered and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3 But he said unto them, have you not read what David did when he has hungered, and they that were with him; 4 How he entered into the house of God and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.      

                                                                                      (Matthew 12:1-8)

1 Յիսուս, շաբաթ օրով, անցաւ արտերի միջով. նրա աշակերտները քաղցած էին եւ սկսեցին հասկ պոկել եւ ուտել: 2 Փարիսեցիները երբ այս տեսան, Յիսուսին ասացին. «Ահա քո աշակերտները անում են մի բան, որ շաբաթ օրն անել օրինաւոր չէ»: 3 Եւ նա նրանց ասաց. «Դուք չէ°ք կարդացել, թէ ինչ արեց Դաւիթը, երբ քաղց զգաց նա եւ նրանք, որ նրա հետ էին: 4 Թէ ինչպէս մտաւ Աստծու տունը եւ կերաւ առաջաւորութեան հացը, որն ուտել օրէնք չէր ո°չ նրա եւ ո°չ էլ նրա հետ եղողների համար, այլ միայն` քահանաների համար: 5 Կամ թէ Օրէնքում չէ°ք կարդացել, որ շաբաթ օրերը տաճարում քահանաները պղծում են շաբաթը եւ անմեղ են: 6 Բայց ասում եմ ձեզ, որ այստեղ տաճարից մեծ մէկը կայ: 7 Եւ եթէ իմանայիք, թէ ի°նչ է` ողորմութիւն եմ կամենում եւ ոչ` զոհ, ապա դուք անպարտներին չէիք դատապարտի. 8 ուրեմն մարդու Որդին շաբաթ օրուայ տէրն է»:                                      

                                                                                               (Մատթեոս 12:1-8)

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