September 6

TOP STORY   

Feast of the Birth of Holy Virgin Mary from Anna

On Sunday, September 8, the worldwide Armenian Church will celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Holy Mother-of-God.

St. Mary was born to Joachim and Anna, a devout couple whose earnest prayers for a child were answered with the birth of a daughter. Mary's birth is not recorded in the Gospel, but in all likelihood, it occurred in Bethlehem or Nazareth, some 20 years before Christ's nativity.

Her life of holiness and purity, and her graceful acceptance of the role to which God called her, as the mother of Jesus Christ, all make Mary one of the pre-eminent exemplars of the Christian faith, whose birth and very conception are occasions for celebration in the church.

The Armenian Church has celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of the Holy Mother-of-God since the 13th century. St. Mary is known in the Armenian Church as Asdvadzamayr-Asdvadzadzin, the "Mother of God" and the "Bearer of God" - a position doctrinally established at the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in the 5th century.

September 8, 2024

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Morning Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Gabis Chubukian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Catherine Sahakian

Choir

Dr. Hratch Semergian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:

Isaiah 13:1-11

2 Cor. 7:4-16

Mark 7:31-37

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For the Soul of:

Varouzhan Yenokyan (Father)

Requested by:

Karine Yenokian



For the Soul of:

Minas Keledjian (40 days)

Requested by:

Kaspar and Gerard Keledjian

Prayer of the Week

Lord, please keep watch over your faithful people, and protect the holy soil of Artsakh and Armenia—now and always. Foil every aggressor against our homeland. Defend the innocent and voiceless, Lord. 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.

    Guard us, O Christ our God, in peace under the shadow of your holy and venerable Cross. Deliver us from the visible and invisible enemy. Make us worthy to give you thanks and to glorify you together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.

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

ACYOA Juniors Gear Up for Sports Weekend

During the last few Sundays, following the Badarak, the St. Mary ACYOA Juniors have been meeting at the nearby park for volleyball practice sessions that are as spirited as they are strategic. Under the leadership of Yn. Jennifer, this past Sunday saw our enthusiastic juniors refining their volleyball skills with great dedication. These weekly practices are crucial as the team prepares for the highly anticipated Sports Weekend in Philadelphia, scheduled for October 11-14.

The commitment shown by our juniors and their parents is commendable. As these practices continue, we encourage other young men and women from our community to join in. Participating in these sessions is not only a great way to improve athletic skills but also an excellent opportunity for fellowship.

As we look forward to the Sports Weekend, we are excited about the potential of our team and the fellowship we foster among our youth. These gatherings are a perfect blend of competition and camaraderie, embodying the unity and spirit of our church community.

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 15. The morning service will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by Badarak at 10:30 AM, and the Antastan service immediately afterward.

After the Divine Liturgy, we will gather for a Celebration Luncheon hosted by the St. Mary Ararat Avak Society. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, enjoy fellowship, and savor the rich flavors of our heritage.

The menu included Lamb with Bulgur Pilaf, Eggplant with Ground Beef, Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers, Shepperd Salad, and a Variety of Desserts. Donation: $30.00 per person.

Please RSVP by September 12th by contacting:

Raffi Sahakyan: 301-221-4533

Takouhi Hallajian: 301-219-4041

Join Us for the 76th Annual Armenian Fall Food Festival! 



St. Mary Armenian Church warmly invites you to our 76th Annual Armenian Fall Food Festival, a celebration of tradition, community, and, of course, incredible food!

Indulge in a variety of Traditional Armenian Dishes, including:

• Lamb Kabob Platter and Chicken Kabob Platter (both served with pilaf & salad)
• A selection of A la Carte Items: Yalanchi, Eech, Boreg, Eggplant, Hummus & more
• Delicious Desserts: Baklava, Haskanoush, Cheese Kadayif, Simit & more

Event Schedule:

• Friday, October 4: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Saturday, October 5: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Sunday, October 6: 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
•  Location: St. Mary Armenian Church

Exciting Announcements!

• Vendors: Explore a variety of unique items and crafts from Friday through Sunday.
• Entertainment: Enjoy live music and dance performances throughout the festival.
• Silent Auction: Bid on wonderful items and experiences!

Come and be part of this joyful celebration, where delicious food, great company, and lively entertainment come together to create unforgettable memories.

See you there!

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 name/email/phone and the name and birth date of your teen.

Dear Shnorhali School Community,

We are thrilled to announce the start of the 2024-2025 academic year at Shnorhali School, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church. The year officially began with the celebration of the Day of Knowledge and Education on August 25th, marking the start of another inspiring chapter in our students' educational journey. Here are the important details:

1.School Registration: The new academic year is quickly approaching! It's time to register your children for classes. Please Click HERE for details on enrollment.

2.Teacher Opportunities: We are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team! If you are committed to teaching and preserving our Faith and Armenian heritage, consider applying or sharing this opportunity. Please click HERE for more information.

3.2024-2025 Yearbooks: Our latest yearbooks have arrived, capturing the unforgettable moments of the past school year. Don’t miss out on this keepsake! Click HERE for details on how to obtain your copy are included in the flyer.

We eagerly anticipate welcoming you back to school and beginning this exciting new academic year together!

Warm regards,

Shnorhali School Administration

Etchmiadzin Cathedral Prepares for Re-opening This Month

In a video released this week, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin gave a glimpse into the “punch list” of artistic and construction work underway to finalize the restoration of the worldwide Armenian Church’s historic Mother Cathedral.

A dozen years have elapsed since His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, first announced the comprehensive project to preserve the structural integrity and ageless beauty of Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral. The process has moved forward through periods of global pandemic and war against our homeland of Artsakh and Armenia. It has marshaled support from across the globe, and has been executed by a team of expert international and Armenian artisans, architects, and historical scholars.

Now with its completion in sight, Holy Etchmiadzin is preparing for the formal re-opening and re-consecration of the Mother Cathedral, which will take place this month, on the morning of Sunday, September 29.

On the day preceding that much-anticipated event, Catholicos Karekin II will preside over another rare ceremony of the Armenian Church: the Blessing of the Holy Muron. The holy oil consecrated during that ceremony on Saturday, September 28, on the Mother See’s outdoor King Drtad Altar, will be distributed to Armenian churches around the world—including every parish of the Eastern Diocese—for use in the holy sacraments. The same sanctified oil will be used to re-consecrate the Mother Cathedral on September 29.

Click here to watch the short video on the final stages of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral restoration.

And click the following link to watch a video announcement for the Blessing of the Holy Muron.

A Solemn Prayer, 23 Years After 9/11

Next Wednesday will mark the passage of 23 years since the infamous day of September 11, 2001. Across our nation, people will solemnly commemorate the anniversary. As the day approaches, we offer prayers to God for His mercy, protection, and remembrance:

Lord Jesus Christ our God, twenty-three years ago, in a dark hour for our beloved country of America, at a time of fear and turmoil, we turned to you for strength, understanding, and guidance. And again today, we ask you to hear our prayers.

Remember the souls of all those who perished in the terrible calamities of September 11, 2001, in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Receive them into the peace of your heavenly kingdom, and never cease to console their loved ones, who will always look back with grief upon their losses.

Bless, too, those who lost their lives or their loved ones in the two decades since that dreadful day. Tragically, casualties of injury, death, and misery have continued up to the present, and we pray fervently for an end to violence everywhere, and the establishment of your peace among humankind.

Click here to read more.

The Cross is Shining—But the Work Goes On

As the scaffolding is gradually being withdrawn from St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, its new cross—ten feet tall, and gilded to a golden brightness—shines gloriously over New York City, as a beacon of our faith, and a powerful testimony to the world.

Your generosity made it possible—and continues to support the major project to restore our spiritual home to its original grandeur!

But the project is far from over: there is more work to be done, to repair the damage caused by decades of weathering.

Your contribution today will continue this exciting revitalization. Join the effort to Renew the Vision of our forefathers, and Cement the Future for generations to come.

Click here to donate now

And follow the progress of the restoration project at StVartan.org.

FAR NEWS

Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), the official charity of our Eastern Diocese, has been highlighted օn the Forbes Nonprofit Council! Their innovative approach to empowering women through technology education in Armenia has been recognized as a model for economic recovery and social equity in developing economies.

In the article, FAR's Director of Development Bree Carriglio discusses best practices in advancing women’s tech education and how it can transform lives in communities affected by war and natural disasters. By equipping women with essential technology skills, we are not only fostering financial independence but also driving economic growth and stability for families and entire communities. Read more about the 5 Ways Tech Education Helps the Advancement of Women in Developing Economies and learn more about FAR's efforts and impact in Armenia: https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2024/08/16/5-ways-tech-education-helps-the-advancement-of-women-in-developing-economies/

You can make a tangible impact by supporting training programs for women through FAR's Ayo! crowdfunding platform here: https://www.weareayo.org/

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Employment Opportunity at the Eastern Diocese

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is currently seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director of the Eastern Diocese.

The Executive Director will be responsible for all administrative and operating functions for the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). This includes oversight of Administration and Operations, Finance, Communications, Facilities, Business Function/Rentals, Development, and Information Technology. The Executive Director will coordinate with the Director of Ministries for executional aspects; manage Human Resources services, including salaries; and provide support as needed.

The Executive Director will report directly to the Primate and the chair of the Diocesan Council, in accordance with the directives and policies established by the Primate and the Diocesan Council.

Please consult the job description and list of qualifications posted on the Eastern Diocese’s website. Qualified applicants should contact the Diocese via e-mail at jobs@armeniandiocese.org.

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.

September 15 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Luncheon hosted by Ararat Avak Society

September 29 Feast of Holy Cross of Varak

October 4-5-6 Fall Food Festival

October 27 Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross

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

December 9    Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then Jesus[a] ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” (Mark 7:31-37)

31 Եւ դարձեալ, դուրս ելնելով Տիւրոսի եւ Սիդոնի սահմաններից, եկաւ Գալիլիայի ծովեզրը՝ Դեկապոլսի սահմաններից ներս: 32 Նրա առաջ բերեցին մի խուլուհամր մարդ եւ աղաչեցին, որ իր ձեռքը դնի նրա վրայ: 33 Եւ Յիսուս, նրան ամբոխից մի կողմ տանելով, իր մատները դրեց նրա ականջների մէջ եւ այնտեղ թքեց. ապա բռնեց նրա լեզուից. 34 դէպի երկինք նայեց, հոգոց հանեց եւ ասաց՝ եփփաթա, որ նշանակում է՝ բացուի՛ր: 35 Եւ իսկոյն նրա լսողութիւնը բացուեց, եւ լեզուի կապանքներն ընկան, եւ խօսում էր ուղիղ: 36 Եւ նա նրանց պատուիրեց, որ ոչ ոքի չասեն. բայց ինչքան էլ նա պատուիրում էր նրանց, նրանք է՛լ աւելի էին տարածում: 37 Եւ աւելի ու աւելի էին զարմանում եւ ասում. «Սա ամէն ինչ լաւ արեց, որովհետեւ խուլերին լսել է տալիս եւ համրերին՝ խօսել»: (Մարկոսի 7.31-37)

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