May 19

TOP STORY   

Second Palm Sunday



On the Sunday following the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord, the Armenian Church celebrates "Second" Palm Sunday. The name of the feast has been derived from Palm Sunday, which precedes Easter. In the week leading up to His betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection, the "first" Palm Sunday symbolized the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem where people met Him with great joy and glorified His Holy Name. The Second Palm Sunday is the commemoration of the triumphant entry of the Ascended Christ into the Heavenly Jerusalem, where the angels meet him with great happiness and delight.

According to tradition, during St. Gregory the Illuminator's imprisonment in the pit, he was visited every day by the same angel. However one day, the angel did not come. The following morning, St. Gregory inquires the reason for his absence, to which the angel responds that during the Ascension, Christ had passed through the ranks of the Angels, and they celebrate that feast each year. The angel visiting St. Gregory was from the fourth class of angelic hosts, and thus, on the fourth day following the Ascension, his rank of angels commemorates and celebrates Christ's Ascension to heaven every year.

Second Palm Sunday once more reminds us of the Ascension of Christ and grants us the hope of ascending to heaven after our deaths and being in the bliss of God's presence.

May 21, 2023

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan 

Usher

Mrs. Anna Seferian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Mrs. Catherine Sahakian

Choir

Mrs.Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Acts 23:12-35

John 5:13-21

 John 12:12-23

For the Soul of :

Grace Shahinian (2nd anniversary)

Requested by :

Dean Shahinian

For the soul of:

Ani Madenian (40 days)

Requested by:

David and Leda Zenian

Chris and Sarine Tyson

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

I glorify you, God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and give thanks to him who has kept me in peace this night, to him who has led me from darkness to light, from death to life, from ignorance to the knowledge of his truth.

    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 single conflict, and bestow your peace on all mankind. Amen.

Help Matt!



One of our parishioners, Matt Girardi, is going through some health issues. He needs all of our support! Let us all pray to God to help Matt to overcome these difficulties and restore his health.



Financial support will be very much appreciated as well.

Please consider donating to his campaign page by clicking on the link below.

St. Mary Food Festival -Sponsorship Opportunities



At St. Mary, we are very excited to host the 13th Annual Armenian Spring Food Festival on May 19, 20, and 21, again bringing the culinary delights and cultural riches of Armenian heritage to the Greater Washington, DC area.

Our community is hard at work preparing for the Food Festival, but we need your support and sponsorship for it to be a success.

Please Click on the Link Below to BECOME A SPONSOR.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Shnorhali School Celebrated Mother’s Day and Teachers’ Appreciation Week

On May 14th, Mother’s Day was celebrated at Shnorhali Armenian School. On this Special day, with their Religious Education Teachers, the students participated in the Divine Liturgy, during which, with Der Hovsep Karapetyan, the students prayed in gratitude and praise of their mothers, they honored the role that their mothers play in their everyday lives and expressed great appreciation for the unconditional love and affection that their mothers have bestowed upon them.

After the Liturgy, with the help of our Armenian teachers and the Shnorhali Fathers’ Club, our students invited their mothers to join them in a Mother’s Day appreciation event. 5th Grade Armenian teacher Sona Avetisyan initiated and organized a small Appreciation ceremony, during which students recited poems, read their heartfelt and deepest wishes to express their love and gratitude, and presented their mothers with flowers and cards.

Students also celebrated Teachers Appreciation Week by showering their teachers with flowers, gifts of love, and greeting cards.

Շնորհալի դպրոցը տոնում է մայրերի տոնը և ուսուցիչների երախտագիտության շաբաթը

Մայիսի 14-ին Շնորհալի հայկական դպրոցում նշվեց Մայրության օրը։ Այս յուրահատուկ օրը, աշակերտները, եկեղեցու հոգևոր հովիվ Տեր Հովսեփ Կարապետյանի հետ, մասնակցեցին Սուրբ Պատարագին, որի ընթացքում նրանք երախտագիտության և փառաբանության աղոթք հնչեցրեցին իրենց մայրերին։ Մեծ հարգանքով նշվեց և կարևորվեց մայրերի դերը մեր առօրյա կյանքում։ Աշակերտները խորին երախտագիտություն հայտնեցին իրենց մայրերին՝ անվերապահորեն նվիրած սիրո ու ջերմության համար: Պատարագից հետո, ուսուցիչների և Շնորհալի հայրերի ակումբի օգնությամբ, մեր աշակերտները մայրերին հրավիրեցին միանալու իրենց փոքրիկ միջոցառմանը։

5-րդ կրթական հարթակի աշակերտներն իրենց ուսուցչուհի Սոնա Ավետիսյանի ջանքերով պատրաստել էին մայրերի մեծարմանը նվիրված գեղեցիկ միջոցառում, որի ընթացքում աշակերտներն ասմունքեցին, իրենց սերն ու երախտագիտությունն արտահայտող մաղթանքներ հայտնեցին և իրենց մայրիկներին նվիրեցին ծաղիկներ ու բացիկներ:

Աշակերտները նշեցին նաև Ուսուցիչների երախտագիտության շաբաթը՝ իրենց ուսուցիչներին ծաղիկներ, նվերներ և շնորհակալական բացիկներ նվիրելով:

Visit to Baltimore Armenian School

On Saturday, May 13, Der Hovsep visited the Armenian School of Greater Baltimore (ASGB). He spent time with the students teaching them about the faith and traditions of the Armenian Church and answering their questions. Der Hayr gifted the student with a small icon of St. Mary and explained its significance.

The Armenian School of Greater Baltimore currently has 21 students and meets every Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon. The classes are held at St. John Lutheran Church (300 W Maple Rd.) in Linthicum, MD. The school is led by three dedicated teachers, Sophia Shaverdian Hawit, Karine Tarpinian, and Nayiri Shahnazarian.

ACYOA Juniors End of Year Party



The ACYOA Juniors Teen Youth group held a dinner party on May 12th. The event was graciously hosted by the Kalayjian family, at their home in Vienna. The teens honored the graduating High School seniors by writing messages in graduation cards and participating in the annual know-your-graduate game. The evening was a wonderful time for the teens and their parents to gather and share fellowship before the summer travel season.

Our congratulations to all 2023 Senior High Graduates.

May God continue to bless and guide you!

Garden Celebration

The Garden Reception Fundraiser for the 90^th Anniversary Endowment Fund brought together nearly 70 individuals. We are grateful to Edward Asslanian and his friends for their generosity and sponsorship of this event. The success of any event is measured by the smiles one sees on the participants' faces; indeed, an abundance of smiles and joy was apparent on everyone's faces!

The church grounds were transformed into an elegant setting, thanks to Nayiree Sarkisian's and Raffi Sahakyan's skillful hands. Parishioners and friends enjoyed a scrumptious meal, a delicious cake prepared by Boris Ghazarian, and dessert and appetizers donated by Rudy's Mediterranean Grill. Many stories of yesterday were told throughout the evening. We appreciate everyone's support by their participation, and generosity; the sustainability of our church is the product of the continued efforts our community provides.

We look forward to hosting similar gatherings and hope those unable to join this time will be part of future events.  

NEW RECYCLING PROGRAM AT ST. MARY'S



There is now a blue recycling bin in the hall at St. Mary Church. Please only deposit empty plastic bottles and aluminum cans in the container. We are looking for volunteers to sign up about once a month to take the recyclables home with them after church or during the Food Festival. It involves sorting through what's in the clear recycling bag and discarding any trash that might have been put in the bag. Then, you replace the clear bag with one from the box in the kitchen marked "Recycling Bags, Not for Trash". I have created a SignUp Genius link to sign up for a slot. Please see St Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church: St. Mary's Recycling Committee (signupgenius.com). If you have any questions, please email me at rangerrox@msn.com. Thanks for your help in keeping God's good earth cleaner!

UPCOMING EVENTS

WED Educational Fund Scholarship



Application for WED Educational Fund Scholarship is now available at St. Mary's website www.stmaryaac.org. The application deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is

May 31, 2023.

Click here to access the scholarship application. If you have questions, contact the St. Mary Church office at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com

There is a wonderful opportunities for our children to participate in Armenian camps and conferences this summer. St. Vartan Camp and St. Nersess Summer Conferences and trainnigs are now oper for registration. If your child is interested please contact the the church office at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com and provide your name, contact information (phone and email) and your student’s name/age. Put "St Vartan Camp," or "St. Nersess" in the subject line.  An interest meeting will be arranged, where parents/students can ask questions and arrange carpools.

This year, through generous donations made to a number of memorial funds, St. Mary will be able to offer a discount for each camper.   

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. 

Armenian Speaking Caregivers Available

For information please contact the church office at 202-363-1923 or  stmarychurchdc@gmail.com

Part-time help needed

Rockville Town Center (a few minutes walk from the Rockville Metro stop on the Red Line), for details, contact Lilit at "Saints Valley" Boutique:   https://www.instagram.com/saintsvalley/?hl=en

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.

Diocesan Clergy Gather in Dallas for the 2023 Conference

The annual Clergy Conference of the Eastern Diocese was held May 2-4, in Dallas, TX, as part of the 121st Diocesan Assembly hosted by the city’s St. Sarkis Church. It was the first in-person gathering of all Diocesan clergy in several years, with Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan presiding over the conference for the first time since his election as Diocesan Primate. Fr. Aren Jebejian served as conference chair.

In his remarks, the Primate introduced the clergy to plans to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Armenian Church Diocese in America and also updated them on plans to restore St. Vartan Cathedral in New York. The coming year will also see the 850th anniversary of St. Nersess Shnorhali’s death, the re-opening of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, a Blessing of Holy Myron ceremony at the Mother See, and the Primate’s own episcopal ordination by the hand of Catholicos Karekin II.

Fr. Parsamyan also discussed the Diocesan “action plan” that has been in development, titled “Growing In Faith Together.” The clergy heard presentations on St. Nersess Seminary, the Diocesan Legate’s ecumenical efforts, the Diocesan Ministries department, Ararat Center, and the clergy pension plan.

The conference culminated in badarak at St. Sarkis Church, celebrated by Fr. Andreas Garabedian, with Fr. Garabed Kochakian delivering a homily. A requiem service for the departed clergy of the Eastern Diocese—including the greatly beloved Fr. Nersess Jebejian, who passed away last year—was offered at the end of the liturgy.

Click the following links to read more and to view photos.

FAR is Hiring a Development Director

The Fund for Armenian Relief is searching for a “Director of Institutional Marketing and Development.” The position will be responsible for the overall strategic development and management of the set of communications that FAR deploys to reach its audience.

The Development Director is expected to contribute to strengthening FAR’s image in the market and to further developing trust among the diaspora and make it the foundation of choice for individuals to consider when planning their charitable giving efforts. This position will report to Garnik Nanagoulian, Executive Director.

For complete information, click here.

Ayo is the crowdfunding platform of Fund for Armenian Relief, the social arm of the Eastern Diocese. We’re passionate about partnering with Armenians all over the world to promote sustainable development through low-budget, big-impact projects.

This summer, Ayo! is partnering with GOALS (Girls of Armenia Leadership in Sports) to organize a sports camp for kids aged 11-17. It will intertwine learning and fun through games, promoting positive values such as teamwork, leadership, respect, and gender equality. 

The camp will be held in the rural Shirak region for 70 boys and girls from surrounding villages. In addition to soccer, basketball, and tennis, lacrosse will be introduced this year!

It costs $125 to sponsor one village child’s unforgettable week of camp.

Get involved!

• Donate tax-deductible through Ayo’s website here:

www.weareayo.org/donate

• One day of camp, including meals, costs $25/month

Click Here to DONATE!

We’re turning 10 this year!

With the support of Hilton, we’re organizing a special all-expenses paid trip to Armenia for one lucky person (chosen at random).

Enter here!

May 19, 20 & 21 Spring Food Festival

May 28 W.G.Hampartzoom program and lunch

June 4 Shnorhali School Handes

12Յաջորդ օրը, ժողովրդի բազմութիւնը, որ զատկի տօնին էր եկել, երբ լսեց, թէ Յիսուս Երուսաղէմ է գալիս, 13արմաւենիների ճիւղեր վերցրեց եւ Յիսուսին ընդառաջ ելաւ։ Աղաղակում էին ու ասում. «Ովսաննա՜, օրհնեա՜լ լինես դու, որ գալիս ես Տիրոջ անունով, ո՛վ թագաւոր Իսրայէլի»։ 14Եւ Յիսուս մի էշ գտնելով, նստեց նրա վրայ, ինչպէս որ գրուած է. 15«Մի՛ վախեցիր, ո՛վ դուստրդ Սիոնի, ահա քո թագաւորը գալիս է՝ նստած մի էշի քուռակի վրայ»։ 16Եւ նրա աշակերտները սկզբում այն չհասկացան, բայց երբ Յիսուս փառաւորուեց, այն ժամանակ յիշեցին, թէ այդ նրա մասին էր գըր¬ուած, եւ իրենք այդ էին արել նրան։ 17Իսկ ժողովուրդը, որ նրա հետ էր, վըկայում էր, որ Ղազարոսին հէնց գերեզմանից կանչեց եւ նրան մեռելներից կենդանացրեց։ 18Եւ դրա համար էլ նրան ընդառաջ ելաւ ժողովուրդը, որովհետեւ լսել էին, որ այդ նշաններն էր արել։ 19Իսկ փարիսեցիները միմեանց ասում էին. «Տեսնում էք, որ ոչ մի օգուտ չէք ստանում. ահաւասիկ ամբողջ աշխարհը նրա յետեւից գնաց»։20Այնտեղ կային նաեւ որոշ թուով հեթանոսներ՝ նրանց մէջ, որ Երուսաղէմ էին եկել, որպէսզի տօնի ժամա¬նակ երկրպագութիւն անեն։ 21Նրանք մօտեցան Փիլիպպոսին, որ Գալիլիայի Բեթսայիդա քաղաքից էր. աղաչում էին նրան ու ասում. «Տէ՛ր, ուզում ենք Յիսուսին տեսնել»։ 22Փիլիպպոսը եկաւ եւ Անդրէասին ասաց։ Անդրէասը եւ Փիլիպպոսն էլ Յիսուսին ասացին։ 23Եւ Յիսուս նրանց պատասխանեց ու ասաց. «Հասաւ ժամը, որ փառաւորուի մարդու Որդին։

Յովհ.12:12-23

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Ho-sanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" and Je-sus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. The Pharisees then said to one another, "You see that you can do nothing; look, the world has gone after him." Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew went with Philip and they told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."

John 12:12-23