February 16

TOP STORY   

Sunday of the Expulsion

The cycle of Sundays in Great Lent begins this weekend with the Sunday of the Expulsion a reference to the exile of Adam and Eve from Paradise.

This day reminds us of the loss of man's happiness due to his disobedience. During this day's service the hymn of St. Nersess the Graceful, Vor Zorenes Serpoutian, describes man's fall: how Adam and Eve experienced the bitterness of sin and death, how they first felt "fear" in their hearts, and "hid from the presence of the Lord God among the trees in the garden."

Thereafter, the re-establishment of the friendship between God and man had to await God's entry into our lives. Through this act of grace, man is able to search his heart, perceive his condition as an exile of "paradise lost," and see that God has given human beings the opportunity to regain their former status.

Please join us every Wednesday at 7:00 PM throughout Lent for

Spiritual Journey Toward Easter: Lenten Worship Service, Spiritual Discussion, and Lenten Dinner.

To see the 2024 Lenten Series flyer, click here.

February 18, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

9:30 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:00 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan 

Usher

Ms. Sara Arabian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Mrs. Svetlana Hovhannisyan

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:

Isaiah 33.2-22

Romans 12.1-13.10

Matthew 5.17-48

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Souls of:

  Qnarik Keshish Musa (40 days)

Mirza, Sevdigul, Sima,

 Babae Keshish Musa Ashot, Norayr, Tomas, Arshaluis, Margarit Shahnazarian

Requested by:

Shahnazarian Family

For the Soul of :

Harout Shiklanian (40 Days) 

Requested by:

 Mr. & Mrs. Nanor & Zareh Kasbarian and family 



Hospitality Table is hosted by:

Kasbarian and Shahnazarian Families

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.

    Christ, guardian of all creatures, let your right hand be a shadow over me day and night, tarrying at home and traveling, sleeping and rising, that I may never fail. Have mercy upon your creatures, and upon me, a great sinner. Amen.

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

Upcoming Parish Assembly - February 18, 2024

St. Mary Annual Parish Assembly will take place on February 18th

 in the Cultural Hall, after Badarak. 

Badarak: 10 am - 11:30 am

Meeting: 12 noon

Celebrating St. Sarkis Day with Joy and Fellowship

We are thrilled to share the joy and fellowship experienced at the Annual St. Sarkis Luncheon hosted by St. Mary's Ararat Avak Society, which took place last Saturday, February 10th. This special day brought more than 100 members of our community together in celebration, surrounded by delicious food, lively entertainment, and the spirit of togetherness.

St. Sarkis the Warrior is one of the most venerated saints in the Armenian Church, known for his unwavering faith and his role as a defender of the downtrodden and the protector of love and youth. His feast day is a time of joy, love, and youthful energy, reflecting his message of faith, courage, and the power of divine love that resonates with us even today.

The luncheon, prepared by our extraordinary Avak Committee members—Takuhi Hallajian, Mari Shafakian, Eva Shafakian, and Raffi Sahakyan—was nothing short of sumptuous, leaving attendees in awe of their culinary skills. In addition, we extend our gratitude to our volunteers. In particular, Alex Madajian, Roxanne and Alexis Kumkumian-Schweitzer.

The highlight of the event was the performance by our young talented parishioners, Levon and Elona, who, under the watchful eye of their mother, Erna Stepanyan, graced us with a dance of Artsakh, heartfelt recitations of poetry, and mesmerizing piano performances. Their contributions added a special charm to the day, showcasing the vibrant spirit and talents within our community. Furthermore, it was heartwarming to receive these young soul's monetary contributions as well.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who attended, supported, and contributed to the success of the St. Sarkis Day Celebration. Your presence and financial support not only made the event memorable but also strengthened the bonds within our church family.



Let us carry forward the message of St. Sarkis—courage, faith, and love—in our hearts and actions throughout the year. We look forward to more gatherings that celebrate our faith and community spirit.

SHNORHALI SCHOOL STUDENTS CELEBRATE BAREKENDAN

On Sunday, February 11, 2024, students of Shnorhali School at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church brought to life one of the most beloved Armenian holiday traditions – “Barekendan." 

The event was a tapestry of cultural immersion that weaved together our history, religion, and traditions. The students presented a captivating exploration of the cherished customs of Barekendan, filled with educational insights and lighthearted fun. Their cheerful performance transported the audience through time and space, from the pages of Tumanyan's famous Barekendan tale to the vibrant demonstrations of traditional Armenian games, songs, and dances.  Humorous wedding re-enactment filled with amusing jokes brought the audience to an interesting fusion of past and present. 

Traditional ritual dolls, lovingly crafted by teachers and parents, embodied the spirit of Barekendan. These symbolic figures added depth and meaning to the celebration - Grandmother Utis and her ladle of abundance or Grandfather Aklatis and his passion for moderation and tradition. The “Camel Game” provided a great tool to showcase victory over evil and oppression. Through this timeless game, the students showcased the enduring spirit of resilience and faith that defines our cultural identity.

Students’ performance also reflected the significance of having an abundance and variety of foods during the 2-week long celebration culminating on the day before the start of the Great Lent, known as the Boon Barekendan. That evening, people celebrate by eating milk-based soup, yogurt, and eggs, and preparing for Great Lent. The traditional saying during that day was: "We eat white eggs now, may God make us worthy to eat the red ones!" 

At the end of the event, the children explained the meaning behind spiritual and physical abstinence during Great Lent. They talked about the importance of nurturing our souls with prayers and introduced the ceremonies and the names of the Sundays of Great Lent. The event was concluded with students wishing everyone "Bari Kendanutyun," ushering in a season of reflection and renewal as we move forward toward celebrating Easter.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all teachers and parents whose unwavering support made this celebration possible. Your dedication and commitment have enriched our community and inspired us all.

A Call to Embrace the Meaning of Lent

“Lent is, above all, a time of preparation,” says Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan in a video message to the faithful. “It prepares us to fully immerse ourselves in the great Mystery of the Christian faith: the profound drama of Christ’s suffering; his death on the Cross; and his miraculous, world-changing resurrection.”

Bishop Mesrop’s video message was released to coincide with the start of Lent (which began Monday, February 12). Noting that Lent is often associated with practices of physical self-discipline and sacrifice, he went on to observe that: “Spiritually, the objectives of Lent are even more demanding: Conversion of the heart; sincere and genuine Forgiveness; the call to walk in the path of Holiness. These are not easy goals for any of us to achieve! But here’s the point: God knows we cannot do these things on our own. And so He sent His Son to help us. And save us.”

Find links below to watch and read the Primate’s Lenten message.

To help our faithful embrace and experience the meaning of Great Lent, the Eastern Diocese has created as number of resources, available online and through our local parishes.

An online discussion series is meeting each week of Lent, as part of the Diocese’s VEMKAR digital ministries program. The sessions meet Tuesday evenings, from February 13 through March 19, at 7 p.m. EST, over the Zoom video platform. Click the following link to find the schedule of speakers and topics, and find details on how to join.

Also, the Diocese has published a beautiful resource for families and parishes: a Lenten Family Calendar, to guide young people day by day through the spiritual journey of Lent. Click here to download the digital file—or pick up a copy through your local parish Sunday School. Additional Lenten resources for children, youth, and adults can be found on the VEMKAR website, at the link below.

The Diocesan website and Facebook page are frequently updated with thought-provoking essays, images, and information on the theme of Lent.

Lenten Retreats for young adults have been organized by the ACYOA in several regions of the Diocese. And Lenten Clergy Retreats are ongoing throughout the season.

In addition, many Diocesan parishes are holding Lenten services and lectures throughout the coming weeks. Scan the Calendar listings below or check with your local parish for details.

As our Primate urges: “My prayer and hope—for all of us—is that these 40 days will be a season to fully embrace the deep meaning of Lent.”

Click the following links to:

• WATCH the Primate’s video message in English and Armenian.
• READ the Lent message online.
• FIND Lent resources for all ages on VEMKAR.

Religious Freedom Summit Hears Testimony on Artsakh

From January 29 through February 2, the Eastern and Western Dioceses participated at the annual International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit and the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. The collaborative effort raised public awareness about Azerbaijan’s September 2023 invasion of Artsakh, its ethnic cleansing of Artsakh’s indigenous Christian Armenian population, and the continued state of threat against the Republic of Armenia.

During the IRF gatherings, the Eastern Diocese’s Ecumenical Director and Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, and the Western Diocese’s Artsakh Heritage Committee volunteer member Simon Maghakyan, joined distinguished Armenian community leaders to lead a series of discussions on the ongoing religious rights violations perpetrated against Armenians.

In addition, Archbishop Aykazian was part of a “fireside chat” at Capitol Hill’s Belmont Abbey College House, where he discussed the current crisis in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem. That event was organized by a newly-formed initiative called “Armenian Christians for Peace.”

“We were pleased to see the presence of key Armenian stakeholders at the many IRF week events, and our committee will continue creating opportunities for such efforts in support of our homeland and our persecuted people,” remarked Archbishop Aykazian afterwards.

Click the following links to read an extensive article, and to view photos.

Above (l-r): Simon Maghakyan, Sonya Nersessian, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Jackie Abramian, Meghri Avakian, Karen Tonoyan, and Tamar Purut, at the International Religious Freedom Summit.

* * *

During this grave time for our sisters and brothers of Artsakh, the Eastern Diocese has an ongoing “Artsakh Refugee Fund,” announced by our Primate Bishop Mesrop last fall. Click here to donate now, using the Diocese’s secure server (select “Artsakh Refugee Fund” from the dropdown menu).

Our Diocese’s Fund for Armenian Relief is likewise doing urgently-needed work to help the refugee population, including on-the-ground, person-to-person efforts through its Ayo! crowdfunding platform. Please lend a helping hand to all these efforts, and keep our countrymen in your prayers.

A Village Gets Access to Clean Water, Thanks to FAR

Most of us take clean tap water for granted. But for the people living in Aygepar, a village on Armenia's eastern border, clean tap water has long been a “luxury” about which they could only dream. Only recently has that “luxury” become a reality for the Aygepar villagers—and it happened thanks to the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR).

Through FAR’s long-running “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty” (BCPP) program, Aygepar at last has regulated, upgraded access to clean water. Prior to this change, villager Ani Arakelyan says that she and others were forced to haul water in buckets from the one pure source in the vicinity. The FAR program has not only improved water quality, but also fortified the village reservoir.

“Breaking the Cycle of Poverty” is just one of FAR’s many efforts to improve life for the citizens of Armenia’s impoverished rural and border regions. You can help support this critical outreach to our countrymen. Click here to donate to FAR today, to support this and other sustainable development projects.

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SHNORHALI SCHOOL LAUNCHES ARMENIAN FINE ARTS AND CULTURE CLUB

We are excited to introduce the Armenian Fine Arts and Culture Club, dedicated to engaging students in the rich tapestry of Armenian arts, history, music, and dance. Our club meetings are crafted to provide an interactive and immersive experience for students aged 8-15, with each session centered around a captivating theme. Throughout our gatherings, we will delve into various topics, including the lives of notable individuals of Armenian descent, significant historical events in Armenian history, and captivating Armenian religious tales. We aim to create an enriching environment that fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of Armenian culture. 

Beyond the educational component, members of our club will have the opportunity to embrace the vibrancy of Armenian traditions by learning popular dances, and songs, and creating artwork that reflects the essence of Armenian creativity. We look forward to cultivating a sense of pride and connection to Armenian heritage within our students, making each club meeting a celebration of our shared cultural identity.

SHNORHALI SCHOOL LAUNCHES CHESS CLUB

Shnorhali School at St. Mary Apostolic Church is delighted to announce the establishment of its Chess Club, aligning with Armenia's esteemed chess tradition, where chess is a mandatory subject for children aged 6 and above. Recognized globally as one of the leading chess nations, Armenia has consistently produced an impressive number of chess grandmasters per capita.

Commencing its meetings on February 4th, the Chess Club will convene every week from 2 pm to 3 pm, providing an engaging platform for students to explore the intricacies of chess. Head Coaches Aren and Arman Grigorian, renowned for their expertise, will guide students through a comprehensive curriculum aimed at cultivating an appreciation for the elegance of chess and enhancing cognitive abilities. The coaches will emphasize critical thinking, teaching strategic concepts, attack moves, sacrifices, traps, and various chess tactics.

Chess, celebrated for its capacity to develop critical thinking skills and concentration, stands as an ideal sport for the holistic development of our students. Join us on this intellectual journey with Shnorhali School's Chess Club, where the pursuit of excellence converges with the strategic brilliance of chess. Embark on this enriching journey with us!

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.

February 21, 28

Lenten Worship Service and Spiritual Discussion

February 18

Annual Parish Assembly

February 25

Family Sunday (Babysitting is available)

March 6

Median Day of Lent

March 6, 13, 20

Lenten Worship Service and Spiritual Discussion

March 24

Palm Sunday

March 31

Easter Sunday

17 Մի՛ կարծէք, թէ օրէնքը կամ մարգարէներին ջնջելու եկայ. չեկայ ջնջելու, այլ՝ լրացնելու: 18 Ճշմարիտ եմ ասում ձեզ. մինչեւ որ երկինք ու երկիր անցնեն, մի յովտ իսկ, որ մի նշանախեց է, օրէնքից եւ մարգարէներից չի անցնի, մինչեւ որ այս բոլորը կատարուի: 19 Ով որ այս պատուիրաններից, փոքրերից անգամ, մի բան ջնջի եւ մարդկանց այդպէս ուսուցանի, երկնքի արքայութեան մէջ փոքր պիտի համարուի. իսկ ով կատարի եւ ուսուցանի, երկնքի արքայութեան մէջ նա մեծ պիտի համարուի: 20 Բայց ասում եմ ձեզ, որ եթէ ձեր արդարութիւնը աւելի չլինի, քան օրէնսգէտներինը եւ փարիսեցիներինը, երկնքի արքայութիւնը չէք մտնի: 21 Լսել էք, թէ ինչ ասուեց նախնիներին. “Մի՛ սպանիր”, որովհետեւ ով որ սպանի, ենթակայ կլինի դատաստանի: 22 Իսկ ես ձեզ ասում եմ, թէ՝ ամէն մարդ, որ զուր տեղը բարկանում է իր եղբօր վրայ, ենթակայ կլինի դատաստանի, եւ ով իր եղբօրն ասի յիմար, ենթակայ կլինի ատեանի, եւ ով իր եղբօրն ասի ապուշ, ենթակայ կլինի գեհենի կրակին: 23 Եթէ սեղանի վրայ քո ընծան մատուցելու լինես եւ այնտեղ յիշես, թէ քո եղբայրը քո դէմ մի ոխ ունի, 24 քո ընծան թող սեղանի առաջ եւ գնա, նախ հաշտուիր քո եղբօր հետ եւ ապա եկ, քո ընծան մատուցիր: 25 Եթէ մէկը քեզ հետ խնդիր ունի եւ քեզ դատի է կանչում, մինչ նրա հետ դեռ ճանապարհին ես, եղիր իրաւախոհ կանխաւ. գուցէ նա քեզ դատաւորին յանձնի, եւ դատաւորը՝ դահճին, ու դու բանտ նետուես: 26 Ճշմարիտ եմ ասում քեզ. այնտեղից դուրս չես գայ, մինչեւ չվճարես վերջին դահեկանը: 27 Լսել էք, թէ ինչ ասուեց. “Մի՛ շնացիր”, 28 իսկ ես ձեզ ասում եմ. ամէն մարդ, որ կնոջը նայում է նրան ցանկանալով, արդէն շնացաւ նրա հետ իր սրտում: 29 Եթէ քո աջ աչքը քեզ գայթակղում է, հանի՛ր այն եւ դէ՛ն գցիր քեզնից. որովհետեւ քեզ համար լաւ է, որ քո անդամներից մէկը կորչի, եւ քո ամբողջ մարմինը չընկնի գեհեն: 30 Եւ եթէ քո աջ ձեռքը քեզ գայթակղում է, կտրի՛ր այն եւ դէ՛ն գցիր քեզնից. որովհետեւ քեզ համար լաւ է, որ քո անդամներից մէկը կորչի, եւ քո ամբողջ մարմինը չընկնի գեհեն:

Մատթեոսի 5:17-48

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.21 “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,[c] you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult[d] a brother or sister,[e] you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell[f] of fire. 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister[g] has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first, be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court[i] with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.30 And if your right-hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

Matthew 5:17-48

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