October 11

TOP STORY   

Feast of the Holy Translators

The Invincible Philosopher! The Master of Mystic Poetry! The Wartime Chronicler! The Grace-Filled Patriarch! The Man of a Dozen Tongues!

It could be the line-up of characters for a new super-hero flick. But in fact, each is a saint of the Armenian Church—David, Narek, Yeghishe, Nersess, Mashdots—remembered together (along with others) as a distinctive “team” known as the Holy Translators. This Saturday, October 14, is their annual feast day.

Whether super or not, the Holy Translators were genuine heroes—and powerful ones, at that. Endowed with rare qualities of imagination and vision, they helped to forge a national identity for the Armenian people—using simple words and humble faith as their primary tools.

It’s an identity that has outlasted empires, overcome persecution, and attained the heights of civilization. Most remarkable of all, it has endured to the present day—and is ready to be embraced by all of us.

This Saturday, try to reflect on the great power we’ve inherited—and the great responsibility that goes with it. Learn more about the Holy Translators by clicking here.

October 13, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Rouzanna Oganissian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Svetlana Hovhannisyan

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings: 

Isaiah 19:1-11

Galatians 2:1-10

Mark 12:35-44

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of:

Robert Mirzoyan

Requested by:

Mirzoyan Family

For the Soul of:

Elza Stepanyan

Requested by:

Marina Muradyan

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 and the holy soil of Artsakh and Armenia, now and always. Grant them strength and lead us together through the present time of trial.

    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

St. Mary Armenian Church’s 76th Annual Fall Food Festival:

A Celebration of Armenian Heritage and Community

From October 4-6, 2024, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church hosted its 76th Annual Fall Food Festival, transforming the church grounds into a vibrant celebration of Armenian food and culture. The event was a tremendous success, drawing in thousands of attendees from the local community and beyond, all eager to experience the rich flavors, music, and traditions of Armenia.

This beloved festival, a highlight of the church calendar year, featured a diverse menu of mouth-watering Armenian dishes. Guests enjoyed everything from savory lamb and chicken kabob platters, paired with pilaf and salad, to a selection of traditional a la carte items like yalanchi, eech, boreg, and more. We added to the menu traditional Armenian “khorovadz” platter, which received many praises. Sweet treats such as baklava, cheese kadayif, simit, and haskanoush provided a delightful end to the culinary experience, especially authentic Artsakh Gata/Nazook leaving everyone with a taste of Armenia’s rich culinary heritage.

Beyond the food, the festival was filled with entertainment that showcased Armenian cultural pride. Live music and dance performances brought energy and joy to the event, engaging the crowd and highlighting the beauty of Armenian traditions. We are grateful to our parishioners who shared their musical talents from the youngest to the seasoned musicians. Shnorhali School students, Narek Bell Choir, Hayi Hoki Dance Ensemble, Sevak Stepanyan on Electric Guitar, Talar Berberian on Cello, Karine Koroukian on the piano and Christine Kharazian on the violin. St Mary Gift Store, the silent auction, and various vendors offered unique opportunities to explore exclusive items, goods, and services.

We extend our gratitude to all our business support. We encourage you to seek out their services whenever you are in need of such businesses. To see the business sponsors' click here.

The success of the festival would not have been possible without the countless volunteers and supporters who dedicated their time and talents. Their hard work ensured that every aspect of the festival ran smoothly, creating a welcoming and festive atmosphere for all.

The Parish Council of St. Mary Armenian Church extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us for this memorable weekend. We are grateful for the community’s support and look forward to welcoming everyone back next year for another celebration filled with food, culture, and fellowship!

St. Mary Armenian Church Celebrates the Blessing of Water with Newly Consecrated Muron

On Sunday, October 6, following the Divine Liturgy, St. Mary Armenian Church held a solemn ceremony of the Blessing of Water using the newly consecrated Holy Muron. This special event marked a spiritual milestone for our parish community, as we received and welcomed the new Muron, a symbol of hope and renewal for all Armenians.

The Holy Muron, sanctified at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin by His Holiness Karekin II, the 132nd Catholicos of All Armenians, carries profound significance. During the sanctification on September 28, His Holiness declared the Muron as a spiritual turning point, a beacon of hope and revival for the Armenian people, especially during times of challenge.

Der Hovsep traveled to the Holy Etchmiadzin to participate in the historic event of both the blessing of the Holy Muron and the rededication of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. Upon his return, he also traveled to St. Vartan Cathedral in New York on October 4 to receive the Holy Muron on behalf of our parish. In his sermon on this occasion, Der Hayr stressed the significance of the Holy Muron as not merely a sacred oil but as a divine seal that unites us with the Holy Spirit. He reminded the congregation that the Muron is a powerful reminder of our spiritual inheritance, sealing each of us as children of God and filling our lives with hope and renewal.

The Blessing of Water, conducted with the new Muron, was a moving and powerful expression of faith. Parishioners gathered to witness the ceremony, feeling the renewal and spiritual uplift that the presence of the Muron brought. The service reminded us of our shared strength and steadfastness as a community, united in faith and tradition.

St. Mary Armenian Church extends heartfelt gratitude to all who participated and joined in this sacred celebration. May the new Muron inspire a spirit of revival in our hearts and renew our hope as we continue to stand together in faith, facing challenges with resilience and unity.

Holy Muron: Sign of Our Union in Christ

Parish pastors from across the Eastern Diocese converged on New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral on Friday evening, October 4, to receive the new Holy Muron: the oil sanctified in splendid ceremonies at Holy Etchmiadzin last month, for use in the sacramental anointing services of the Armenian Church.

It was a meaningful occasion for the clergy to receive the Holy Muron from our Primate, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, and convey it back to their respective parishes, in the final leg of the Muron’s journey from the Mother See of the Armenian Church to the faithful parishioners back home.

Following a service in the cathedral, the clergy gathered in warm-hearted fellowship for dinner at the Diocesan Center. Afterwards, Bishop Mesrop set down his thoughts about the occasion—and about the greater significance of the Holy Muron—in a message to the public.

“Friends, we are part of something much greater than ourselves,” he wrote. “Wherever you are, this Holy Muron connects us as one body, one worldwide Armenian Church. Every drop of this oil carries with it the fragrance of our unity in Christ.

“Isn’t that what Lord Jesus prayed for? He prayed that we would all be one—just as He and the Father are one (John 17:21). And when we share in this sacred oil, we’re reminded that we belong to the same family: the family of God….

“Let this Holy Muron be a constant reminder that no matter how far apart we may be geographically, we are bound together in the Holy Spirit. Let it inspire us to pray for one another, to support one another, and to love one another as Christ has loved us.

“When we see the challenges in our communities, when we feel isolated or overwhelmed, remember this sacred oil and the message it carries: We are not alone.”

Click the following links to:

• READ Bishop Mesrop’s message in its entirety.
• VIEW photos of the October 4 gathering.



Finally, see the item under Parish News below, for a photo gallery of ceremonies in Diocesan parishes to welcome and receive the new Holy Muron.

His Holiness Karekin II Visiting the Eastern Diocese This Week

The Eastern Diocese is pleased to inform its faithful that His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, has been visiting the United States of America this week.

The Catholicos departed from Armenia on October 6. During his time in the U.S., which will mostly be in a private capacity, His Holiness will be hosted by Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan.

While in this country, Catholicos Karekin II will hold meetings in New York City with members of the Diocesan Council, and with leaders of various Armenian organizations.

On Saturday, October 12, His Holiness will preside over the AGBU Gala honoring Berge and Vera Setrakian, taking place as part of the 93rd Assembly of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, meeting in New York (October 10-13).

We welcome His Holiness to the United States and our Diocese for these uplifting occasions, and wish him good health, safe travels, and success in his visit.

Watertown Welcomes Archbishop Aykazian

Last weekend, St. James Church in Watertown, MA, welcomed Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian to the parish. Archbishop Aykazian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and preached on Sunday, October 6, assisted by parish pastor Fr. Arakel Aljalian. Also participating in the day’s services were Fr. Krikor Maksoudian and Fr. Tateos Abdalian.

A special “Blessing of Water” followed, using the newly blessed Holy Muron from Holy Etchmiadzin. Faithful approached the altar following services to receive their portion of the blessed water. Parishioners and friends then gathered in Keljik Hall for a fellowship hour in Archbishop Vicken’s honor, generously sponsored by Nishan and Margrit Atinizian.

On Monday evening, October 7, Archbishop Aykazian was the guest speaker at a joint meeting of the St. James Men’s Club and the Trinity Men’s Union of Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, MA. He shared reflections about his ministry as Diocesan Legate and Director of the Diocesan Ecumenical Office. A captivating question session followed his talk, giving Vicken Srpazan an opportunity to share a few anecdotes, his wisdom, and his warm sense of humor.

Click here to view photos.

FAR NEWS

FAR Teams with NPR to Amplify Voices from Artsakh

It has now been one year since some 120,000 of our Artsakhtsi brothers and sisters were forcibly uprooted from their native land: driven from their homes, having to leave behind nearly every possession.

The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) responded to the crisis on the ground, person-to-person, as it was happening. But it has also worked to bring the plight of our displaced brothers and sisters to the attention of a wider audience. Recently, FAR partnered with the U.S.-based National Public Radio service, to share their voices with the world.

A September 20 feature on the NPR program Here and Now brought those stories to life. Among those featured is Gohar Gyurjyan, a social worker from Artsakh trained through a Fund for Armenian Relief project to support other Artsakhtsi families in need.

There’s also Edik Mnatsakanyan (seen here), who with FAR’s assistance obtained a home for his family, and the tools to start a business.

In addition, physician Irina Saghyan and journalist Siranush Sarsgyan weighed in with their perspectives, sharing personal accounts of their forced displacement a year ago, and its lasting impact.

Here and Now is one of the most popular news podcasts on Apple and Spotify, with an estimated five million weekly listeners across 450 stations. FAR is grateful to NPR for listening to the voices of our countrymen, and amplifying them through its platform.

Click here to listen to the program. And don’t forget to share it with others.

Join the St Mary Teen Youth Group

The ACYOA Juniors, for teens from 13 to 18 years of age (12-year-olds to participate in local events), provides a vehicle through which young people may express themselves and demonstrate their abilities, skills, interests, concerns, and faith; developing programs through which the young people may participate, receive information, experience meaningful relationships, feel a sense of belonging, and gain exposure to the Armenian Christian faith and cultural heritage. 

Typically the group holds a monthly membership meeting (after church with pizza in the office) to plan events, socialize, and hear a brief speaker. Then the teens participate in a service project, party, or activity (bowling, skating, volleyball) once a month. The teens also travel to Eastern Diocese sports weekend events once or twice a year.  

If you have a teen who might be interested please email rebeccaBagdasarian@yahoo.com with your na

Register Now for the ACYOA Seniors National Fall Retreat

Online registration is now open for the ACYOA Seniors National Fall Retreat—scheduled to take place over the weekend of November 8-10, at Camp Washington in Lakeside, CT.

All young adults, 18 years and older, are encouraged to participate in this weekend-long program hosted by the ACYOA Central Council. Click the following links to download a Fact Sheet with background on the retreat (including arrival and departure information), and to view a flyer.

To field remaining questions, feel free to contact Jennifer Morris at jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org, or the ACYOA Central Council at acyoacc@gmail.com.

Click here to register online now. A confirmation e-mail containing further details will be sent to all registrants. The registration deadline is Friday, October 25.

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.

October 27 Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross

October 27 "Parallel Faiths and Fates: Armenians and Syriacs in their Ancestral Lands, Past and Present" Lecture by Julia Hintlian

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

December 7 St. Mary Church Anniversary

Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Der Hovsep's Ordination

December 9    Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:" 'The Lord said to my Lord:"Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."' 37 David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with delight. 38 As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely." 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything- all she had to live on."

Mark 12:35-44

35 Մինչ Յիսուս ուսուցանում էր տաճարում, հարց տուեց ժողովրդին ու ասաց. «Ինչպէ՞ս են ասում օրէնսգէտները, թէ Քրիստոս Դաւթի Որդի է, 36 մինչ Դաւիթն ինքը Սուրբ Հոգով ասում է. "Տէրն իմ Տիրոջն ասաց. նստի՛ր իմ աջում, մինչեւ որ քո թշնամիներին քո ոտքերի համար պատուանդան դնեմ"։ 37 Արդ, եթէ Դաւիթն ինքն իսկ նրան Տէր է կոչում, ինչպէ՞ս նրա Որդին կը լինի»։ Եւ շատ ժողովուրդ նրան լսում էր սիրով։ 38 Եւ սովորեցնելով՝ նա իր ուսուցման ընթացքում ասում էր. «Զգո՛յշ եղէք այդ օրէնսգէտներից, որ ուզում են աչքի զարնող զգեստներով ման գալ, հրապարակներում յարգանքի ողջոյններ որոնել, 39 ժողովարաններում՝ առաջին աթոռները եւ ընթրիքների ժամանակ՝ պատուոյ տեղերը։ 40 Նրանք ուտում են այրիների տները, ցուցադրաբար երկարացնում են աղօթքները, որպէսզի աւելի խիստ դատաստան ընդունեն»։ 41 Յիսուս կանգնած էր գանձանակի դիմաց. դիտում էր, թէ ինչպէս ժողովուրդը պղինձ դրամ է գցում գանձանակի մէջ։ Եւ շատ մեծահարուստներ շատ բան գցեցին։ 42 Մի այրի կին եկաւ եւ երկու լումայ գցեց, որ մի գրոշ է։ 43 Եւ Յիսուս իր մօտ կանչելով իր աշակերտներին՝ նրանց ասաց. «Ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ, որ այդ չքաւոր այրին աւելի շատ գցեց, քան գանձանակի մէջ միւս բոլոր դրամ գցողները, 44 քանի որ ամէնքը իրենց աւելորդից գցեցին, իսկ նա, իր չքաւորութիւնից, գցեց ամէն ինչ, որ ունէր՝ իր ամբողջ ապրուստը»։

Մարկոս 12:35-44

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