With heavy hearts, St. John Armenian Church offered prayers for the Lord's Mercy for the victims and their families of the unprecedented mass shooting in Orlando, Florida on June 11. In subsequent days, the nation learned more about the circumstances surrounding the horrific event.

In the light of this knowledge, the member clergymen of the Eastern Church of the Bay Area (ECoBA) have issued a joint statement expressing their common mourning and condemning the use of violence to promote fear and intolerance.

Bay Area, June 14, 2016

Under the direction of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, a very special pilgrimage took place within the Western Diocese called “7 Churches in 3 Days.” From November 20-22, the Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, parish priest of the St. Peter Armenian Church in Glendale led the pilgrimage which included stops at Armenian Churches in the Central Valley and Bay Area of California.

With Veteran’s Day fast approaching we begun eagerly preparing for our Annual Veteran’s Day Event, wherein we honor all of those who have honorably served in the Armed Services. As part of our tradition, the money raised from this event benefits various charities. Last year the proceeds were devoted to the Chaplaincy program of the Armed Services of the Republic of Armenia that serves both active servicemen and veterans. We were so pleased with the results stemming from our contributions that we have decided to once again support the efforts of the chaplaincy.

On October 24, 2015, St. John Armenian Church hosted the 73rd Annual Food Festival. This spectacular event is a major attraction that draws more than 1,000 visitors from the Greater Bay Area each year. The Festival is a cultural feast of Armenian flavors, authentic traditional cuisine that is handed down from generation to generation, Armenian folk music and dancing, showcasing Armenian artifacts from Armenia and bringing the community together.

Our annual Food Festival Boutique will feature limited themed items. Our Boutique sales will also be available through the holidays, with an expanded inventory.  

For the Food Festival boutique we continue to accept donations.  We welcome new and gently used unique kitchen themed items, like demi tasse cups, jezvahs, linens, pot holders, aprons, cookbooks, etc.  It’s a bonus if your donated items have an Armenian cultural theme.  For our Holiday Boutique, we welcome an assortment of new and gently used gift items.  Speciality holiday themed items would be appreciated. 

It was nearly 3 years ago that our community was stunned by the tragic news of the young Armenian family and the event that befell them at Big Lagoon Beach in Humboldt County. Howard Kuljian, patriarch of the Kuljian family, along with wife Mary and son Gregory were swept out by ocean currents as they tried to save their beloved family dog. Olivia was the only member of her family to survive that infamous event.

As the last days of Summer play themselves out with our vacations concluding and our children returning to school, St. John hosts its Annual Picnic. This year was simply a pleasant occasion to enjoy the fellowship of our community, set against the backdrop of the beautifully forested Huddard Park on a bright, sunny day at the close of the Summer season.

Armenians throughout the world joined together to commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Hundreds of thousands Armenians participated in marches, attended concerts, Ecumenical services and other events. For Bay Area Armenians this was no exception. On of their commemorative events took place on Sunday May 3rd, as all the Bay Area Clergy of the Armenian Churches came together to celebrate Divine Liturgy and offer thanks to God for the resurrection of the Armenian Nation, at St. John Armenian Church.

On March 19, 2015, St. Vartan Armenian Church welcomed the clergy of the Eastern Churches of the Bay Area (ECoBA) to participate in joint prayers service in Lenten dinner. The event was hosted by Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Parish Priest of St. Vartan, in cooperation with Fr. Datev Harutyunyan, Vicar of the Northern Region and Parish Priest of St. Andrew Armenian Church of Cupertino, and Fr. Mesrop Ash, Parish Priest of St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco.

Sunday, March 15, 2015, was a memorable day for St. John parishioners. Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, the Dean of the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, who was visiting St. John church from New York, delivered the spiritual Message following the Divine Liturgy. Fr. Chevian, talked about how Jesus chose random fishermen to be his disciples, and they followed him because they had the calling. He challenged the congregation to find Christ's new disciples amongst them.