January 31

TOP STORY   

SAINT GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN



This great ecumenical doctor of the Church is also known as Gregory Nazianzen, after the town of his birth.

The saint was born through the prayers of his mother, who relentlessly prayed for a son. Being inquisitive by nature, Gregory first studied in Caesarea, then in Palestine, Alexandria, and finally in Athens, becoming a coming philosopher and rhetorician. In Athens, he studied with St. Basil the Great. The two friends had a natural tendency to asceticism, delighting the locals with their monastic feats.

At the age of thirty, Gregory returned to his homeland, was baptized, and made a vow of celibacy. Studying the Scripture day and night, he received the gift of clear contemplation of Christ.

Consecrated in 361 by his father in the priesthood, he became head of the Nazianzen Church and, twenty years later - the bishop of Constantinople. For twelve years the saint taught the people in the Orthodox faith and fought against heretics. He participated in the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople (381). The literary heritage of St. Gregory includes numerous sermons and letters.

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February 2, 2025

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Guest Celebrant

Very Rev. Fr. Garegin Hambardzumyan

Usher

Mrs. Rouzanna Oganissian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Mr. Artur Sivaslian

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Isaiah 62:1-11

 2 Tim 2:15-19

John 6:39-47

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of:

Hovik Qucharian

Requested by:

Alex Madajian

For the Souls of :

Hegine (15 years) and Harutyun Kizilyan

Mihran Bahceli

Hripsime and Sahak Simon 

Requested by:

Armenak Simon and Family

For the Soul of:

Melik Hakobyan (7 days)

Requested by:

Azat and Vram Hakobyan

Hospitality Table is hosted by:

 Armenak Simon and family

and Alex Madajian

Prayer of the week

Heavenly King, grant me your kingdom which you promised to your beloved, and strengthen my heart to hate sin and to love you only and to do your will. Have mercy upon your creatures, and upon me, a great sinner.

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

Preserve the spirit of Artsakh in our hearts; console those who grieve; deliver your faithful children from 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 Joins CCT Steering Committee

We are pleased to share that Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan has been nominated to serve on the Steering Committee of Christian Churches Together (CCT), a significant ecumenical organization committed to fostering unity among diverse Christian traditions in the United States.

Fr. Hovsep attended his first Steering Committee meeting from January 21-24 in New York, where he joined representatives from various Christian communities to engage in dialogue and collaborative efforts on key social and theological issues. He succeeds Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, who has faithfully served on the Steering Committee and as President of the Orthodox Family for many years. Archbishop Vicken’s leadership and contributions have been invaluable in strengthening Orthodox involvement in ecumenical dialogue, and we are grateful for his years of dedicated service.

Christian Churches Together is a broad coalition that includes Catholic, Evangelical, Pentecostal, Historic Protestant, and Orthodox Christian communities. The organization strives to promote mutual understanding and common witness among its members. We are confident that Fr. Hovsep will bring valuable insight and commitment to this role, continuing the Armenian Church’s deep engagement in Christian unity.

A Creative Journey with Puppets and Language With Shnorhali School Kindergarteners

This week, Shnorhali School’s kindergarten class captivated students and parents with an unforgettable performance of The Three Little Pigs. The activity combined creativity, language learning, and teamwork into one inspiring experience that showcased the children’s talents and enthusiasm.

The day began with students crafting their own puppets, a hands-on project that sparked creativity and allowed them to practice Armenian vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. As they carefully shaped and decorated their characters, they explored new words for colors, shapes, body parts, and animals—turning the puppet-making process into an interactive language lesson.

After watching a cartoon adaptation of The Three Little Pigs, students discussed the roles and dove into rehearsals. The culmination was a lively lunchtime performance, where the children proudly brought their puppets to life on stage. They delivered a charming rendition of the beloved tale, earning applause and smiles from their audience of peers and parents.

This activity went beyond storytelling—it was a powerful opportunity for young learners to connect with the Armenian language while developing confidence, teamwork, and stage presence. By combining creative expression with practical learning, the students not only enriched their vocabulary but also built strong bonds with their classmates.

At Shnorhali School, activities like this demonstrate our commitment to nurturing creativity, cultural connection, and a love for learning. Bravo to our kindergarteners for their hard work and imagination, and to their teachers for creating such a meaningful and inspiring experience!

Week Four of the 5-Week Study on the Nicene Creed: Exploring Death, Resurrection, and the Second Coming

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church welcomed parishioners and friends for the fourth session of the 5-week study on the Nicene Creed. This session focused on some of the most profound statements of the Creed—Christ’s death, resurrection, and His promised second coming—affirming the heart of Christian faith.

Participants reflected on how Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, and burial counter early theological misconceptions and affirm His full humanity and divine mission. The discussion highlighted that salvation is God’s initiative, not a human achievement, and that Christ’s resurrection is the ultimate victory over sin and death. The study also explored His return as the righteous judge, reinforcing Christian hope in His eternal reign.

Through historical insights, biblical references, and group discussion, attendees deepened their understanding of the Creed’s proclamation of salvation and the promise of Christ’s second coming. The session also underscored the significance of faith in Jesus’ redemptive mission, calling everyone to live in hope and anticipation of His return.

We look forward to the next session as we continue this enriching study on the foundational beliefs of our faith.

Successful Completion of BLS and AED Training at St. Mary Church

On Sunday, January 26, 2025, St. Mary Church hosted a Basic Life Saving (BLS) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training Course, an important initiative led by Dr. Greg Kumkumian. This training provided key members of our church community with essential life-saving skills, reinforcing our commitment to safety and preparedness.

A group of dedicated parishioners, including ushers, choir members, Shnorhali School teachers, and ACYOA Jr. & Sr. members, participated in the course, which lasted 3-4 hours and concluded with certification for all attendees. 

Having trained individuals within our church community is invaluable, as it ensures that we are better prepared to respond to emergencies during services, gatherings, and events. We would like to highlight the importance of readiness, quick action, and care for one another, strengthening our parish as a place of both spiritual and physical well-being.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Greg Kumkumian for organizing this effort and to all those who participated in this vital training. May this knowledge serve as a blessing and safeguard for our community for years to come.

Annual Parish Assembly – 2025

St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church will hold its Annual Parish Assembly on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 12:00 PM in the church cultural hall, with an alternate date set for February 23, 2025, at 12:00 PM. A light luncheon will be served prior to the meeting.

This important gathering provides an opportunity for dues-paying members to review the Annual Report, discuss budget matters, and participate in elections that shape the future of our church. Your voice and vote are essential in guiding the ministry and mission of our parish.

We encourage all eligible members to attend and take part in this significant annual meeting.

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

It is that time of the year again to remind our dear parishioners and friends of their dues and pledges to St. Mary Armenian Church.

As a reminder, the dues are $250 per person and $500 per family.

We depend on our faithful donors and their monetary contributions. Your membership dues not only ensure your voting privileges during our annual assembly but also shows your commitment to your church. Your support enables us to continue our mission of preaching the Word of God, reaching out to our community, and bringing the rich and wonderful blessings of our heritage and identity to all for the glory of God.

We thank you for your generous past support and hope you will continue your commitment to your church.



St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church relies on the generosity of individual donors so that it may continue ensuring service to God and fellowship to the Armenian Community. Your support is deeply appreciated.

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

Constantinople, Nicaea, Armenia: Walk in the Footsteps of Faith

The Eastern Diocese and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America have announced a joint pilgrimage to Constantinople, Nicaea, and Armenia in the summer of 2025. This momentous journey will commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea—a pivotal moment in Christian history that established the Creed of Nicaea as a foundational confession of the Christian faith, shared by the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox churches.

Led by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, pilgrims will embark on a profound journey of faith and discovery, from August 29 to September 8. This will be the first joint pilgrimage of the Eastern Diocese and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

In Constantinople, pilgrims will visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate (the center of Eastern Orthodoxy) and see iconic landmarks such as the Theological School of Halki, Hagia Sophia, and the Armenian Patriarchate in Constantinople.

In Nicaea, they will explore the ancient city where the council convened in A.D. 325: a site of immense historical and theological significance to all Christians.

Finally, in Armenia pilgrims will visit the Ancient Manuscript Repository (Matenadaran), Khor Virab Monastery (where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned), and the ancient cave of Areni (considered to be the world’s oldest-known winery). They will also experience the beauty of Lake Sevan and Sevan Monastery, and worship at the newly-restored Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Spaces are limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged. For inquiries and reservations, contact Cloud Tours at (718) 721-3808, or e-mail stephen@cloudtours.com. Detailed information regarding costs, travel arrangements, and accommodations will be provided upon request.

Click here to view a flyer with details.

FAR’s Humanitarian Aid Helps Families Endure Winter

​“Good wood warms you three times,” says 58-year-old Shirin Stepanyan, after a quick swing of his axe. “Once when you cut it; once when you stack it; and finally when you burn it.” After displacement from their native Artsakh in 2023, the Stepanyan family settled in the village of Zorakan on Armenia’s eastern border.

Thanks to the firewood, humanitarian aid, and psychological counseling provided by the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), Shirin’s 10-member family will be able to make it through the harsh winter in the old two-story house the village provided for them, rent-free. 

“This support means everything to us,” says Shirin’s wife Gyulnara, 52 (seen here). Once prosperous farmers in Artsakh, the Stepanyans lost everything in the war, including their livestock and orchards. 

FAR and its partner organizations continue to support more than 400 displaced families like the Stepanyans—thanks in part to a generous grant from the German Federal Foreign Office. The support offers these families the vital assistance they need to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of their exile from Artsakh. 

Click here to learn more on FAR’s blog.

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 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.

February 4 and 11 Bible Study at 7 pm

February 15 Saint Sarkis Day Celebration and Armenian Style Brunch

February 16 Annual Parish Assembley

39 Այս է կամքը իմ Հօր, որ ինձ ուղարկեց. բոլոր նրանք, ում Հայրն ինձ տուել է, նրանցից ոչ մէկին չկորցնեմ, այլ վերջին օրը յարութիւն առնել տամ նրանց: 40 Այս է իմ Հօր կամքը. ամէն ոք, ով տեսնի Որդուն եւ հաւատայ նրան, ունենայ յաւիտենական կեանք. եւ ես նրան վերջին օրը յարութիւն առնել տամ»: 41 Հրեաները տրտնջում էին նրանից, որովհետեւ ասել էր. «Ես եմ երկնքից իջած հացը»: 42 Եւ ասում էին. «Սա Յիսուսը չէ՞՝ Յովսէփի որդին, որի հօրն ու մօրը մենք ճանաչում ենք: Իսկ արդ, ինչպէ՞ս է ասում. "Ես երկնքից իջայ"»: 43 Յիսուս պատասխանեց եւ ասաց նրանց. «Մի՛ քրթմնջացէք իրար մէջ. 44 ոչ ոք չի կարող գալ դէպի ինձ, եթէ նրան չձգի Հայրը, որ ինձ ուղարկեց, եւ ես նրան վերջին օրը յարութիւն առնել կտամ: 45 Մարգարէների գրքերում գրուած է. "Եւ ամէնքը Աստծուց ուսանած կլինեն": Ամէն ոք, որ լսում է Հօրից եւ ուսանում է, գալիս է դէպի ինձ: 46 Սակայն ոչ ոք Հօրը չի տեսել, այլ միայն նա, որ Աստծուց է, նա է տեսել Հօրը: 47 Ճշմարիտ, ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ, որ ով հաւատում է, ունենում է յաւիտենական կեանքը: 

Հովհաննեսի 6.39-47

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? 43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man, therefore, that hath heard and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 

John 6.39-47

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