August 16

TOP STORY   

Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God

On Sunday, August 18, the Armenian Church will observe the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God, which commemorates how St. Mary at her death was taken up in body and soul, or “assumed,” into heaven. This act of tenderness was performed by Christ many years after his Ascension, as a loving tribute to the mother who bore and raised him.

Click on the following links to read about Holy Assumption on our blog, and to watch an online video in the Diocese’s Bread and Salt series about the Holy Mother-of-God—Sourp Azdvadzadzin—in Armenian Church tradition.

At St. Mary Church, Holy Assumption will be celebrated with the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 18, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

 See more details here.

Traditionally on Assumption Day, the “Blessing of Grapes” service takes place immediately after the Divine Liturgy. The service is rich in symbolism and emphasizes the important role of the Virgin Mary in the revelation of God.

The “Blessing of Grapes” service will follow the Badarak, where grapes will be washed and packaged for safe distribution to worshipers.



Using this opportunity, we congratulate all our parishioners who have the following names:

Mariam, Maral, Mary-Marie, Maro, Markrid, Yertchanig, Azniv, Arousiag, Gousineh, Loosaper, Vartenie, Vartouhi, Vartanoush, Sirarpi, Loosarpi, Takouhi, Isgouhi, Pergrouhi, Yeranouhi, Yeranig, Makrouhi, Berjouhi, Serpouhi, Dirouhi, Azadouhi.

August 18, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 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:

Isaiah 65:8-10; 1

Heb. 6:18-7:7

John 15:1-8

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

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

Let the Lord Jesus Christ preserve and have mercy on us through the intercession of the Holy Mother-of-God, from whom the fruit of life and immortality was given to us.

   Lord, please keep watch 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

ՏՕՆ ՍՈՒՐԲ ԱՍՏՈՒԱԾԱԾՆԻ ՎԵՐԱՓՈԽՈՒՄԻՆ

The Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God and the Name Day of Our Church

BLESSING OF THE GRAPES SERVICE

ԽԱՂՈՂՕՐՀՆԵՔ

Sunday, August 18, 2024

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Celebrant

Morning Service 10:00 AM - Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM

Stay for the Picnic!

After the service, enjoy a festive gathering featuring

Traditional Armenian Khorovats and more delightful treats!

Pre-order your Khorovats now!

A Weekend of Worship and Dedication with Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian

This past weekend, our church community was blessed to welcome Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, Director of Sacred Music for our diocese, as our guest clergy. In the absence of Der Hovsep, Fr. Mamigon led us in worship and continued his devoted work with our altar servers, who are preparing for their upcoming ordination as Deacons and Sub-Deacons.

For several months now, Fr. Mamigon has been working closely with Der Hovsep to train these young acolytes (tbirs) for their sacred duties. This preparation has involved a combination of in-person lessons and Zoom sessions, through which the acolytes have been focusing on mastering the chants for the night and morning services. Fr. Mamigon has shared his deep knowledge of both the words and the music, helping these young men gain a profound understanding of their roles. Concurrently, Der Hovsep has been guiding them through the practical and theological aspects of their service, such as censing (poorvar), the vesting of the celebrant before Badarak, and the detailed components of the Badarak itself. We are deeply inspired by the dedication these young men have shown to their Christian faith and to the Armenian Church.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who made this weekend's celebration truly special. A warm thank you goes to Anahit Sargsyan for her beautiful Bible reading, and to Suzy Simonian-McLure and Anna Andriasova-Seferian for their coordination of the Hospitality Table. We are also grateful to Mariam McLure for baking the delicious banana muffins that everyone enjoyed. A special acknowledgment is due to Anna Andriasova-Seferian for her generous donation of the altar flowers.

As we continue to grow as a community, we invite you to stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to participate in sponsoring future hospitality tables. We encourage everyone to consider how they might contribute to the life of our church, whether through hospitality, service, or other acts of devotion. Your involvement is a vital part of our community’s expression of faith and commitment to the Lord.

Dear Shnorhali School Community,

We are thrilled to announce the start of the 2024-2025 academic year at Shnorhali School, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church. The year will officially begin with the celebration of the Day of Knowledge and Education on August 25th, marking the start of another inspiring chapter in our students' educational journey. Here are the important details:

1.School Registration: The new academic year is quickly approaching! It's time to register your children for classes. Please Click HERE for details on enrollment.

2.Teacher Opportunities: We are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team! If you are committed to teaching and preserving our Faith and Armenian heritage, consider applying or sharing this opportunity. Please click HERE for more information.

3.2024-2025 Yearbooks: Our latest yearbooks have arrived, capturing the unforgettable moments of the past school year. Don’t miss out on this keepsake! Click HERE for details on how to obtain your copy are included in the flyer.

We eagerly anticipate welcoming you back to school and beginning this exciting new academic year together!

Warm regards,

Shnorhali School Administration

The Master Restorer: A Message from Bishop Mesrop

Our Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan was in Armenia this week, to take part in special meeting of the church’s Supreme Spiritual Council, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

While in our homeland, the Primate visited the restored Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral in the company of our Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, after which Bishop Mesrop shared these inspirational words with the faithful of the Eastern Diocese:

“Today, with Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, we visited Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral—and our hearts were filled with awe and gratitude. The cathedral, which has been the spiritual heart of the Armenian Church for centuries, is now almost ready to re-open its doors after an extensive renovation. The ancient stones, which have witnessed the prayers, hopes, and tears of countless generations, now shine with renewed brilliance.

“As we prepare for the grand opening in September, I can’t help but reflect on what this moment means for each of us. Just as this sacred cathedral has undergone restoration, there are times in our lives when we, too, need to be renewed. We might feel worn down by the trials and challenges of life, but God is always at work, ready to restore us, to renew our spirits, and to bring us back to a place of wholeness.

“In the book of Isaiah, God says: ‘Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it?’ (Isaiah 43:19). God is in the business of making all things new. He takes what is old, worn out, and broken—and He breathes new life into it. Just as the stones of this cathedral have been carefully restored, God is working on the stones of our hearts, shaping us into the people He created us to be.

“You might be going through a season where you feel like you’ve lost your ‘shine.’ Maybe life has taken a toll on you, and you feel like those ancient stones: worn out, tired, and in need of repair. But here’s the good news: God is the Master Restorer. He can take the broken pieces of your life and put them back together in a way that’s more beautiful than before.

“Friends, trust in God’s restoring power. Know that He’s not finished with you yet. He’s still working on you, renewing you, and preparing you for something greater. Just as Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral stands as a testimony of God’s faithfulness throughout the ages, your life can become a living testimony of God’s grace, His love, and His restorative power.”

Congratulations to Armenia’s Olympians

Armenians across the world who followed the 2024 Olympics in Paris felt a special sense of pride to see their homeland represented at the games. They were especially thrilled to witness the exploits of several incredible Armenian athletes who won medals in their respective events.

The great Artur Aleksanyan won the Silver Medal in Men’s Greco-Roman Wrestling (97 KG category). Gymnast Artur Davtyan won the Silver Medal in the Men’s Vault. Malkhas Amoyan won the Bronze Medal in Men’s Greco-Roman Wrestling (77 KG category). And on the final day of the Olympics, Varazdat Lalayan won the Silver Medal in the men’s +102 kg weightlifting division.

It was an impressive showing for Armenia’s team—and an uplifting experience for everyone who cheered on our homeland’s Olympic competitors. The Republic of Armenia fielded 15 athletes to the 2024 Olympics. This marked the eighth consecutive appearance at the games by an independent Armenia (the first was in 1996).

Congratulations and thanks to the four medalists—and to all of Armenia’s Olympians.

The Cross is Shining—But the Work Goes On

As the scaffolding is withdrawn from the dome of 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

Two Weeks of Camp, and a Lifetime of Inspiration

This summer, the Fund for Armenian Relief supported 317 children of Armenia at Camp Aragats. Many of these underprivileged youngsters had been displaced from Artsakh last year; others were Armenian refugees from Syria, or orphans from across our homeland. They attended camp for two-week sessions from June 24 to July 26.

Joining them in their fun, and spending a few days with the campers, were teens and young adults from the Eastern Diocese, who were traveling through our homeland as part of the ACYOA Armenia Service Program.

For the children, the experience at Camp Aragats gave them space to be carefree kids again. Sisters Arevik and Edita, formerly from Artsakh, were a typical case. During their days in the camp's bucolic setting, the sisters connected with other children displaced from Artsakh, made new friends from across Armenia, and enjoyed a full range of activities from dancing to hiking.

In former times, the girls had attended summer camp in Artsakh, where they cherished memories of their outdoor adventures and visits to monuments like the famous “We Are Our Mountains” statue. Now, despite losing the family home last year, Arevik has gradually rebuilt her confidence and sense of wonder. She hopes to become a doctor, to help those around her; and this summer’s camp experience—thanks to the generosity of FAR supporters—was another confident step forward in pursuit of her dream.

Two weeks can make a great difference in a child’s life. Thank you to the many FAR donors who made camp possible for children like Arevik this summer. Learn more and contribute on FAR’s website.

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.

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

August 25 1st day of Shnorhali Sunday School

September 15 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

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

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

December 9    Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes[a] to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed[b] by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

(John 15:1-8) 

1 «Ե՛ս եմ ճշմարիտ որթատունկը, եւ իմ Հայրս՝ մշակն է: 2 Ամէն ճիւղ՝ որ իմ վրաս է ու պտուղ չի բերեր, կը վերցնէ զայն. իսկ ամէն ճիւղ որ պտուղ կը բերէ՝ կը մաքրէ զայն, որպէսզի ա՛լ աւելի պտուղ բերէ: 3 Դուք արդէն մաքուր էք այն խօսքով՝ որ ըսի ձեզի: 4 Ի՛մ մէջս մնացէք, ու ես՝ ձեր մէջ. ինչպէս ճիւղը չի կրնար ինքնիրմէ պտուղ բերել՝ եթէ որթատունկին վրայ չմնայ, նոյնպէս ալ դուք չէք կրնար՝ եթէ իմ մէջս չմնաք: 5 Ես որթատունկն եմ, եւ դուք ճիւղերն էք. ա՛ն որ իմ մէջս կը մնայ, ու ես՝ անոր մէջ, անիկա՛ շատ պտուղ պիտի բերէ, որովհետեւ առանց ինծի ոչինչ կրնաք ընել: 6 Եթէ մէկը իմ մէջս չմնայ, ան դուրս կը նետուի՝ ճիւղի մը պէս, եւ կը չորնայ. զանոնք կը ժողվեն ու կրակը կը նետեն, եւ անոնք կ՚այրին: 7 Եթէ դուք մնաք իմ մէջս, ու իմ խօսքերս ալ մնան ձեր մէջ, ի՛նչ որ ուզէք՝ պիտի խնդրէք, եւ պիտի ըլլայ ձեզի: 8 Իմ Հայրս կը փառաւորուի՝ երբ դուք շատ պտուղ բերէք. այսպէս՝ իմ աշակերտներս կ՚ըլլաք:

(Հովհաննես 15:1-8)

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