November 24

TOP STORY   

First Sunday of Advent

“Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:8)

Advent means “coming”—the coming of Christ. It is the 50-day period during which we prepare to celebrate the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the Armenian Church, Advent lasts approximately two weeks longer than it in the Western churches, hence the Armenian word for the season: Hisnag, “a 50-day period.” It is a time for us to think of the why of Christmas—why the greeting cards, the decorations, the gifts, the family gatherings? A time to look within our hearts to see if there is anything that stands between us and the Good News of Jesus’ birth.



During Advent, we can rededicate ourselves to Christ through our actions, thoughts, and prayers. This is a good time for us to improve our habits and offer them as gifts to God. Perhaps Advent can also be an occasion to discover God’s gifts all around us. We need to have an open heart to receive Christ—God’s greatest gift of all! We complain that Christmas is too “commercial,” but there is a way to live out the real “reason for the season.”

November 26, 2023

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Garbis Chubukian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Sean McClure

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Isaiah 36:1-9

1 Thes 1:1-10

Luke 12:13-31

For the Soul of :

Margarita Vardanyan (7th day)

Requested by:

Karapetyan Family 

For the Soul of :

Mary Banous (2nd Anniversary)

Requested by:

Rita and Harry Isepanian

Hospitality Table is Hosted by:

Karapetyan Family

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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

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.

O Lord, sanctify those who have greeted in love the beauty of your house. Glorify us with your divine power and forsake not those who put their trust in you. Grant peace to the whole world and to all your people. Amen.

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

Prayer for Healing Service & Bible Study at St. Mary

Our Prayer for Healing Service, followed by Bible Study at St. Mary, took place on Tuesday, November 21. After the Healing Prayer service, the focus of the Bible Study for this week was on the passage from Mark 8:22-26, a narrative that carries profound implications for our lives today.

In Mark 8:22-26, we read the account of Jesus healing a blind man at Bethsaida. This miracle, unique for its two-stage process, speaks volumes about spiritual insight and the gradual process of gaining understanding. Jesus first led the man out of the village, then, after an initial touch, asked if he saw anything. The man’s initial response, seeing people as "trees walking," signifies partial understanding. Only after Jesus' second touch were his eyes fully opened.

Our discussion delved deep into the symbolism of this event. We reflected on how, in our spiritual journeys, we often gain understanding in stages, not all at once. Just like the blind man’s gradual healing, our growth in faith and understanding can be progressive. This teaches us patience and trust in God's timing and methods.

Additionally, the significance of Jesus leading the man out of the village before healing him was a point of focus. It symbolizes the need sometimes to step away from our familiar surroundings or comfort zones to experience growth and healing. In our lives, this might mean stepping away from certain habits, thoughts, or environments that cloud our spiritual vision.

The healing service that preceded the Bible study was a time of reflection and prayer, where we sought God's healing touch in various aspects of our lives, mirroring the physical healing of the blind man with our spiritual and emotional healing needs.

As we move forward, let us carry the lessons from Mark 8:22-26 in our hearts. Let us be patient with ourselves and others as we grow in understanding and faith. Let us also be willing to step out of our comfort zones, trusting in God's guidance and timing for our healing and spiritual growth.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who participated and contributed to this enriching evening. May we continue to find strength and inspiration in our community's shared faith and learning.



Prayer of Healing and Bible Discussions will continue to be offered every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. 

STORYTIME WITH THE AUTHOR AT SHNORHALI SCHOOL

On November 19th, Shnorali School hosted Tamar Kassarjian, the author of the book Secret Language Method, to share it with the students.

"Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the Shnorhali Armenian School to share my book, "The Secret Language Method," with their outstanding students. The experience was nothing short of a blessing, as I witnessed the enthusiasm and curiosity of the young minds eager to engage with the Armenian language. The book, designed to inspire and empower youth, emphasizes the significance of expressing emotions through Armenian, fostering cultural representation, and promoting inclusivity. At the heart of the narrative is a celebration of cultural diversity and inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of embracing and preserving the Armenian language.

During the reading, it was heartwarming to see the children embrace the book's message, recognizing the beauty and uniqueness of their mother tongue. The event aimed to instill a sense of self-assurance in the young readers and encourage them to speak Armenian more confidently. Meeting the students at Shnorhali Armenian School was a joy, and their receptiveness to the book's message left a lasting impression.

For those who couldn't attend but are interested in purchasing a book for their children, "The Secret Language Method" is still available for purchase. You can find more information and order the book through the provided Google Form link (https://forms.gle/Qg65XM8nakhCvgG38).

Let's continue to celebrate and preserve the richness of the Armenian language together. Thank you, Digin Nunik and Shnorhali Armenian School, for the warm welcome and opportunity to share my book with you all.” 

ACYOA Juniors TEEN Group Update

The teens held elections at their November meeting.  Congratulations to all the new ACYOA Juniors board officers.

Chairperson: Mariam McClure

Vice-Chairperson: Taggie Gomstyan

Secretary: Mariam Karapetyan

Treasurer: Yeva Grigoryan

Board Member: Anahit Harutyunyan

Board Member: Monika Mkrtchyan

Upcoming opportunities include a general meeting on Sunday, Dec 3^rd after Badarak, in the office, and a Christmas party on Saturday, Dec 9^th at the Karapetyan home.  See attached flyer. 

If you have a teenager, please consider bringing him/her to the Juniors events.

Advent by Candlelight



Join St. Mary's Women's Guild to celebrate the Advent season with a Prayer Service, Music, and Fellowship on Saturday, December 2nd at 6:30. Featuring a Musical Performance by Chamasyan Sisters.

St. Mary Armenian Church

Invites you

To an enlightening presentation:

The Lay of the Land: Armenian Monasteries in their Local Landscapes

By Whitney Adana Kite, Junior Fellow, Byzantine Studies

On December 3 at 1:00 pm

Dive deep into the harmonious connection between Armenian monasteries and their stunning landscapes.

By blending medieval texts with her on-site analysis, Whitney unveils how each locale reverberates with the essence of the land, its material richness, and the tales it performs.

Discover the profound ways medieval Armenians forged ties with nature through their awe-inspiring constructions, echoing a sentiment found worldwide. 

Calling all teens! The ACYOA Juniors Christmas Party will be on December 9th from 6-9 PM at the Karapetyan home, 6208 Crathie Lane, Bethesda, Md.

Games, s'mores at the firepit, dinner, fun!

Bring a potluck dish to share and an unwrapped toy for a needy local child.

St. Mary Armenian Church

91st ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Officiated by

His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian

Ecumenical Director and Diocesan Legate

Special Requiem Service

For all of our former Dedicated Parishioners and Loved Ones

Luncheon and Program

In the Church Hall Following the Divine Liturgy

Honoring Dedicated Parishioner

Dr. Hratch Semerjian

Presenting St. Vartan Award



Please RSVP for the Luncheon by calling 202-363-1923 or By email stmarychurchdc@gmail.com

By December 5, 2023

Mark your calendars and sign-up for THE charity event of the holiday season.

Food will be made available and items will be for sale to help the Armenian refugees of Artsakh.

This event will focus on explaining to non-Armenians the dire humanitarian needs of our people, so all Armenians are encouraged to bring friends. After buying tickets for yourself, purchase a few extra and invite your charitable friends - and don't forget to share the flyer and link on social media!

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

 Blessings for Thanksgiving

On behalf of Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan and the entire Eastern Diocese, we convey our blessings to you and your family on this most meaningful of holidays: Thanksgiving.

As we gather to express gratitude to God for the many good things we enjoy, let us also offer thanks for the great gift He bestowed on the world, through His son Jesus Christ. The risen Lord touched the soil of our homeland, and inspired the achievements of our history. He has sustained us through every adversity, and fills the Armenian people of today with His love and grace.

Click the button below to watch a short video message from Bishop Mesrop. May the blessings of Thanksgiving be with you and your loved ones always.

UPCOMING EVENTS

“The Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” Psalms 147

Prayers for Healing

Աղօթք Բժշկութեան

Join us in this ancient Armenian Church tradition:

A brief prayer service, holy Scripture, and blessing of holy water asking God to ease the pains of body, mind, and soul and bestow his peace.

The Bible Discussions on the healing miracles of our Lord will follow the services.

Prayer of Healing and Bible Discussions will be offered every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

ALL ARE WELCOME

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.

November 26 Family Sunday (babysitting is available)

December 2 Advent by Candlelight hosted by Women's Guild at 6:30 PM

December 3 Lecture on the Armenian Monasteries by Ms. Whitney Adana Kite

December 9   Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

December 10 Celebration Of the 91st Anniversary of the Church

December 16 ACYOA Seniors Fundraising Event

December 16 Beet Salad Cooking Workshop with Anna

December 24 Shnorhali School Christmas Celebration

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” 22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

(Luke 12.13-31)

13 Ժողովրդի միջից մէկը նրան ասաց. «Վարդապե՛տ, ասա՛ եղբօրս, որ ժառանգութիւնը ինձ հետ բաժանի»: 14 Եւ նա նրան ասաց. «Ո՛վ մարդ, ինձ ո՞վ դատաւոր կամ բաժանարար կարգեց ձեզ վրայ»: 15 Ապա ժողովրդին ասաց. «Տեսէք, որ զգոյշ լինէք ամէն տեսակ ագահութիւնից, որովհետեւ մարդու կեանքը իր կուտակած հարստութեան մէջ չէ»: 16 Եւ նրանց մի առակ պատմեց ու ասաց. «Մի մեծահարուստի արտերը առատ բերք տուեցին. 17 եւ նա խորհեց իր մտքում ու ասաց. “Տեսնեմ ի՞նչ կարող եմ անել, քանի որ բերքս կուտակելու տեղ չկայ: 18 Գիտեմ,– ասաց նա,– թէ ինչ պէտք է անեմ. կքանդեմ իմ շտեմարաններն ու աւելի մեծերը կշինեմ եւ այնտեղ կհաւաքեմ ցորենն ու իմ ամբողջ բարիքները. 19 եւ ինքս ինձ կասեմ. ո՛վ մարդ, շատ տարիների համար ամբարուած բազում բարիքներ ունես, հանգի՛ստ արա, կե՛ր, խմի՛ր եւ ուրա՛խ եղիր”: 20 Աստուած նրան ասաց. “Անմի՛տ, հէնց այս գիշեր հոգիդ քեզնից պահանջելու են, իսկ ինչ որ պատրաստել ես, ո՞ւմն է լինելու”: 21 Նոյնպէս է նաեւ նա, ով իր անձի համար գանձ կհաւաքի եւ Աստծով չի հարստանայ»: 22 Եւ իր աշակերտներին ասաց. «Դրա համար էլ ասում եմ ձեզ. հոգ մի՛ արէք ձեր հոգու համար, թէ ինչ էք ուտելու, ոչ էլ՝ մարմնի համար, թէ ինչ էք հագնելու. 23 որովհետեւ հոգին առաւել է, քան կերակուրը, եւ մարմինը՝ քան հագուստը: 24 Նայեցէ՛ք ագռաւներին, որոնք ո՛չ սերմանում են եւ ո՛չ հնձում, որոնք ո՛չ շտեմարաններ ունեն եւ ո՛չ էլ ամբարներ, բայց Աստուած կերակրում է նրանց. որքա՜ն եւս առաւել՝ ձեզ, որ շատ աւելի յարգի էք, քան թռչունները: 25 Ձեզնից ո՞վ հոգս անելով կկարողանայ իր հասակի վրայ մէկ կանգուն աւելացնել: 26 Արդ, եթէ փոքր բանի մէջ անկարող էք, այլ բաների համար ինչո՞ւ էք հոգս անում: 27 Նայեցէ՛ք շուշանին՝ ինչպէս է աճում. ո՛չ աշխատում է եւ ո՛չ հիւսում: Ասում եմ ձեզ. Սողոմոնն իսկ իր ամբողջ փառքի մէջ նրանցից մէկի նման չհագնուեց: 28 Իսկ եթէ խոտը, որ այսօր բաց դաշտի մէջ է, իսկ վաղը հնոց է նետուելու, Աստուած այդպէս է հագցնում, որչա՜փ եւս առաւել ձեզ պիտի հագցնի, թերահաւատնե՛ր: 29 Եւ դուք մի՛ մտահոգուէք, թէ ինչ էք ուտելու կամ ինչ էք խմելու, եւ մի՛ մտատանջուէք, 30 որովհետեւ այդ ամէնը աշխարհի հեթանոսներն են, որ փնտրում են: Իսկ ձեր Հայրը գիտէ, որ այդ ամէնը պէտք է ձեզ: 31 Այլ դուք հետամուտ եղէք Աստծոյ արքայութեանը, եւ այդ ամէնը աւելիով կտրուի ձեզ: (Ղուկասի 12.13-31)

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