December 22

TOP STORY   

A Week of Re-Introductions

One of the wonderful things about the Christmas season is the way it re-introduces us to such interesting people. And it's not limited to friends and family: some of the most memorable re-introductions come from the surrounding culture. Who can suppress a warm smile at their first yearly sighting of Santa, Rudolph, and the elves? Or at the Grinch and the whole Peanuts gang?

But the church, too, is actively bringing some memorable people to our attention in the run-up to Christmas. It shares these vivid personalities with us through the feast days that occupy the weeks in the latter half of Advent.

We meet King David, poet and warrior; James, the apostle called the "Brother of the Lord"; Stephen, the first deacon of the church and its first martyr; Peter and Paul; and the brothers James and John. These are the stories the church re-introduces to us through the feasts of this week.

Somehow, getting to know these figures prepares us for that greatest re-introduction of all: when we will once more welcome the infant Jesus into our hearts and lives.

December 24, 2023

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Mrs. Rouzanna Oganissian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Mrs. Svetlana Hovhannisyan

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Isaiah 40:18-31,

Hebrews 4:16-5:10,

Luke 18:9-14

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of:

Patricia Rostomian (40 Days)

Requested by:

 Maro and Raffi Rostomian; Predita and Areg Gharakhanian, Audrey, Stella, and Emalyn Gharakhanian

For the Soul of:

Anahid (Anne, Alice) Atanossian

Requested of:

Granddaughters, Alexandra and Gabriella, brother Martin Bedrosian, and daughter-in-law Christine



For the Souls of:  

Araxi Bostanian Kobrin; Dikran and Armina Bostanian; Sarkis and Esther Bostanian; John, Elizabeth, and Joyce Shanlian; Avedis and Kohar Shanlian; and Kerop and Sarah Arsenian

Requested by:

Melanie Kobrin

Hospitality Table is Hosted by Rostomian Family

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

Lord, please keep watch over your faithful people, strengthen those fleeing persecution, and protect the holy soil of Armenia—now and always.

   Foil every aggressor against our homeland. Defend the innocent and voiceless, Lord.

   Preserve the name and spirit of Artsakh in our hearts, forever. Console all those who grieve, and remember those who sacrificed their very lives in your Name. Deliver your faithful children from conflict, and bestow your peace on all mankind.

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

    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

A Special Service of

The Blessing of Pomegranates  

 Sunday, December 31st, 2023

Following Badarak  

Throughout the centuries, the pomegranate has been weaved into Armenian architecture, cuisine, art, manuscripts, literature, and liturgical vestments. It represents life, fertility, and abundance.

Pomegranates will be blessed immediately after Badarak. They will be distributed to the faithful afterward. Everyone is invited to participate in this beautiful service.

Click here to watch a video about the blessings of pomegranates.

SCHEDULE OF CHRISTMAS SERVICES

The Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Jesus Christ will be observed

at St. Mary Armenian Church on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,

January 5, 6 and 7, 2024.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024

EVE OF THE THEOPHANY AND NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Evening Service and Reading of the Scriptures   6:00 PM

Divine Liturgy   7:00 PM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

FEAST OF THE THEOPHANY AND NATIVITY OF OUR LORD

JESUS CHRIST 

  Morning Service   10:00 AM

  Divine Liturgy   10:30 AM

  Blessing of the Water 12:00 Noon

Special Christmas Luncheon hosted by Ararat Avak Society following Badarak

Click here to see details

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2024

REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD

  Morning Service   10:00 AM

  Divine Liturgy    10:30 AM

Shnorhali School Christman Hantess

Click here to view the special liturgical schedule in PDF

Click here to read about Theophany and Nativity in the Armenian Church.

Click here to donate Christmas Yughakin as a Gift of Love in memory or in honor of your loved ones

St. Mary ACYOA's Fundraising Success for Artsakh Refugees

On Sunday, December 16th, St. Mary's Armenian Church witnessed an extraordinary gathering of hearts and hands united for a noble cause. St. Mary ACYOA Seniors organized a fundraising event, directing its compassionate efforts towards supporting the refugees of Artsakh.

This special event was not just a fundraiser but a beacon of hope and solidarity. Our community members and friends, both young and old, came together in a remarkable display of generosity and empathy, embodying the spirit of giving and compassion at the core of our faith.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation by special guest Sarah Stites. An original D.C. local, Sarah is currently based in Armenia, working as a development officer with the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) and their crowdfunding platform, "We are AYO" (AYO means 'yes' in Armenian). Her compelling narrative and deep insight into the plight of the Artsakh refugees moved everyone present. Sarah's dedication to the cause and her ability to engage the audience played a pivotal role in making the event a resounding success.

Thanks to our ACYOA members' tireless efforts and our parishioners' generous contributions, we are delighted to announce that the event raised significant funds. These funds will directly aid the FAR AYO program, ensuring essential support and relief reaches those in dire need.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who participated, donated, and volunteered, making this event not just successful but memorable. Your kindness and generosity have shown that together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most.

SHNORHALI SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PARTY

On Sunday, December 17th, 2023, Shnorhali School joyfully hosted a Christmas celebration for its students. The festivities started with informative presentations on the true meaning of Christmas, exploring symbols of Christmas, unraveling Christmas traditions from around the world, and fun Christmas trivia. Following these presentations, students partook in many different Christmas-themed crafts and activities. The event commenced with a heartfelt prayer by Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, who also shared the inspiring story of the birth of Jesus with the students.

In the spirit of illuminating the true meaning of Christmas, Nicolette Blackwell, the Religious Education Coordinator, delivered a presentation on popular Christmas symbols and their profound significance. Students gained insight into the Christian symbolism behind cherished Christmas traditions, such as gift-giving, adorning homes with Christmas lights, and savoring candy canes. These two presentations reminded students that in the excitement of the holiday season to not forget the special and sacred reason why we celebrate this joyous season!

Building upon this enlightening foundation, Armenian teacher Anahit Sargsyan added another layer of cultural richness by presenting both national and international Christmas traditions. She not only highlighted the unique aspects of Armenian Christmas but also delved into the Christmas customs observed worldwide. Through her presentation, students gained a broader perspective, appreciating the diverse ways people around the world celebrate this festive season.

Lastly, religion teacher, Linet Khoranian hosted a fun Christmas trivia game! The game challenged students to showcase their knowledge of popular Christmas movies, songs, stories, and traditions. Through spirited competition, students not only tested their understanding of the holiday season but were also rewarded with prizes for their correct responses, adding an element of fun and excitement to the educational experience.

Following the educational presentations, students then participated in Christmas crafts and activities, with the help of our dedicated High School Volunteers. Students were able to decorate Christmas-themed cupcakes, have their faces or hands painted, make magical reindeer food, make ornaments, write letters to Santa, and enjoy coloring pages! These hands-on activities not only brought forth the spirit of the season but also provided an opportunity for students to express their individuality and creativity. As the festivities drew to a close, students eagerly seized the thrilling opportunity to meet and capture precious moments with none other than Santa Claus himself!

Shnorhali School would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to making this special event a success! Your commitment and support are deeply appreciated.

Shnorhali School at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church is delighted to announce the festive details for this year's Christmas celebrations! The school will celebrate the season through several events.

On January 5^th students will be part of the Christmas Eve events by reading from the Scriptures and participating in the Divine Liturgy.

On January 7^th, after-school students will culminate the celebration of events related to Christ’s Incarnation with our annual Christmas Handes, a delightful pageant that explores the symbols of Christmas and delves into the true meaning of the festive season. Students will share the wonderful news of our Savior’s birth through the retelling of Jesus’s birth story combined with classic carols and songs.



 Mark your calendars, as we extend a warm invitation to join us in the Cultural Hall of the St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church for an enriching and joyful experience.

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!

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

Welcoming the Prince of Peace

In his video Christmas message for this year, Primate of the Eastern Diocese Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan reflects on the promise of Peace that accompanied the birth of Christ.

 “Peace is the great theme of Christmas,” he says: “the beautiful idea that flows through the story of the Nativity of Jesus and warms our hearts at this time of year.”

 He continues: “Of course, Peace is something we all long for. We pray for peace among nations—for an end to hatred and conflict, and to the human waste of war.

 “However, when nations are at war; when natural disasters and diseases cause destruction; when we face personal struggles and health issues—we often find ourselves asking: ‘Where is this Peace that was promised to humanity? Where can it be found?’”

 Indeed, many people are asking such questions, as they confront our present, unsettling times. How should we respond to the realities of conflict and turmoil around us? What guidance can we receive from Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace?

Click the links below to learn more, by watching Bishop Mesrop’s message for this Christmas:

• WATCH Fr. Mesrop’s Christmas video message in English.
• WATCH Fr. Mesrop’s message in Armenian.

For an Artsakh Refugee, FAR’s Soup Kitchen is More Than a Lifeline

Marta found more than simply a job at the Fund for Armenian Relief’s “Atinizian Senior Center” in Gyumri. For the 38-year-old Artsakh native, the center has become her family’s lifeline to a fresh start in Armenia’s second-largest city.

 Displaced from her home in Artsakh, Marta swiftly embraced an open position as an assistant cook, serving 170 elderly people facing financial struggles. Every day in the role, she recognizes its significance in her journey of healing. For her, the value of the job goes beyond her paycheck: it’s her means to overcome the daily challenge of rebuilding a stable life for her family.

For now, she is thrilled for the opportunity FAR has given her to stand on her own two feet. With her children in school and college, and her husband actively seeking employment, Marta envisions a return to the stability they knew before the war.

FAR is committing to equipping displaced families as they seek to rebuild their lives and support themselves independently. Learn more on FAR’s website. Donate to FAR today and contribute to a stronger Armenia.

New Vemkar Topical Series Publications

New publications in the Diocesan Christian topical series - "VEMKAR Topical Series" - are designed to captivate and enlighten readers like you. It delves into various facets of our Christian faith, offering a profound understanding of its beliefs, practices, and traditions.

As believers, we understand that our faith is an ongoing journey, constantly evolving and expanding. It is crucial to seek a deeper comprehension of our beliefs, and this series aims to facilitate that exploration. By delving into Christianity's history, theology, and contemporary issues, we provide a thoughtful and informative pathway for you to navigate.

Whether you have been a devoted Christian for years or are simply curious about the faith, this series is tailored to meet your needs. Our aspiration is for these books to not only inform and educate but also inspire and uplift you on your personal spiritual journey.

Copies of this newly released series can be found in our church's narthex. We encourage you to use this wonderful new diocesan resource and share it with others.

These publications are also available in PDF and eBook format.

Click here to read and download VEMKAR Topical Series booklets.

Download the 2023-2024 Advent Calendar

The Eastern Diocese’s Department of Ministries has released a downloadable Advent Calendar to guide young faithful and their parents in the season leading to Christmas.

Each day features a Bible verse from the gospels of Matthew and Luke, which record the Nativity story of Jesus Christ, so readers can follow the story of our Lord’s birth day by day.

The major church feasts and fasts are also indicated on the Advent Calendar, to help families focus their daily activities on the message of God’s incarnation, as they progress to the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Jesus Christ on January 6, 2024.

The digital publication is a product of the Diocese’s Children and Family Ministries effort. To download a PDF file of the Diocese’s 2023-24 Advent Calendar, click here.

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. 

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.

December 31 Family Sunday (Babysitting available) & Blessing of Pomegranates  

January 5 Nativity Eve Badarak

January 6 Nativity Day - Blessings of the Water

January 6 Avak Society Christmas Luncheon

January 7 Shnorhali School Christmas Celebration

9 Այս առակն էլ ասաց ոմանց, ովքեր իրենց ներսում պարծենում էին, թէ արդար են, եւ արհամարհում էին ուրիշ շատերին: 10 «Երկու մարդ տաճար ելաւ աղօթքի կանգնելու. մէկը՝ փարիսեցի, միւսը՝ մաքսաւոր: 11 Փարիսեցին կանգնած էր մեկուսի եւ ինքն իրեն այս աղօթքն էր ասում. "Աստուա՛ծ իմ, շնորհակալ եմ քեզնից, որ ես նման չեմ ուրիշ մարդկանց, ինչպէս յափշտակողները, անիրաւներն ու շնացողները եւ կամ ինչպէս այս մաքսաւորը. 12 այլ շաբաթը երկու անգամ ծոմ եմ պահում եւ տասանորդ եմ տալիս իմ ամբողջ եկամտից": 13 Իսկ մաքսաւորը կանգնած էր մեկուսի եւ չէր իսկ կամենում իր աչքերը երկինք բարձրացնել, այլ ծեծում էր կուրծքը եւ ասում. "Աստուա՛ծ, ների՛ր ինձ՝ մեղաւորիս": 14 Ասում եմ ձեզ. սա՛ իջաւ իր տունը արդարացած, ոչ թէ՝ միւսը. ով որ բարձրացնում է իր անձը, կխոնարհուի, եւ ով որ խոնարհեցնում է իր անձը, կբարձրացուի»:

                                                                                                 (Ղուկաս 18:9-14)

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14 I tell you; this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."

                         (Luke 18:9-14)

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