Events

On Sunday, October 18, 2015, The water blessing service was conducted with the newly blessed Holy Muron, which had been blessed by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This service was held according to the decree of Diocesan Primate, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, such that every parish upon receiving the new batch of blessed chrism should celebrate the occasion by blessing water and distributing it to the faithful.

The Holy Week and Feast of the Ressurection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ are always a call to renewal through His mercy and glory. St. John gives thanks for the opportunity to celebrate these occasions in 2016 along with the family of the faithful.

On Sunday, February 15, following the Divine Liturgy, under the leadership of Fr. Mesrop Ash and Youth Advisor Edward Barber Jr.  twelve members participated in the Armenian Church Youth Organization meeting. During the meeting they discussed the upcoming ACYO Jr. Retreat, Hye Camp registration and upcoming activities including April 24 events.

If anyone is interested in joining St. John ACYO please contact Fr. Mesrop Ash.

On January 29, Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, parish priest of St. Vartan Oakland, and Fr. Mesrop Ash of St. John San Francisco participated in meeting and prayer service of the Eastern Churches of the Bay Area (ECoBA), hosted by Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church in Millbrae. Ten clergy from different denominations joined in the Vesper Service and enjoyed a meal. In the spirit of brotherly love and respect they discussed issues effecting the Christian communities Near and Middle East, and how our parishes can help support them. Fr. Hovel and Fr.

Once again St. John celebrated its Annual Food Festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 18-19. For the past six months our devoted volunteers were preparing authentic Armenian food and pastries, under the leadership of Christina Ardemis and Linda Lester. This year the kitchen crew was really inspired by the positive energy of these two passionate women, and with fun and laughter they prepared traditional Armenian foods, like Sue Boreg, Kufta, Sarma, and many more.

The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the five main “Tabernacle” feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. It commemorates the transformation or the “transfiguration” that came over Jesus while He was praying.  Christ’s face shone like the sun and his clothes became a radiant and gleaming white. The Apostles Peter, James and John witnessed that event which occurred on a high mountain named Tabor.

Summer this year at St.John has been an awesome and cool time so far. We have participated in Christina Ardemis’s Organize and Thrive event, St. John Family Night and the most exciting so far, Lost and Found in Armenia.

Once more calling all High School and College students! Last summer St. John started an internship program which was very successful.  More than 10 students signed up for the program and worked twice a week on different projects.

There are several occasions throughout December and January to venerate the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We hope that you will join us!

Holiday Decorations Day

On Sunday, December 8, the parishoners of St. John are invited to help us decorate our hall for the holiday season. We'll have Christmas music playing while we hang the christmas lights, and decorate the tree! A light lunch will be served. Join us!