The Feast of Hampartzoom  (Ascension) is one of the most joyous of the feasts celebrated by the Armenian Church.  It is celebrated after the 40 days of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

One of the projects of St. John Parish Council this year is to have Family Nights and dedicate them to diasporan communities that Armenians came from.

The first Family Night took placed on Saturday May 17, 2014, and was dedicated to Fresno Armenians. More than 80 people from the community attended the event. Following a casual dinner, respected members of the community that grew up in Fresno shared their stories about the farm and town life in the Valley during the good times and bad.

For the past 54 years the men of St. John Armenian Church have cooked and served breakfast for our mothers on Mother’s Day.

This year was no exception, Sunday, May 11, the hall was decorated with flowers, and one could inhale the aroma of the coffee, and famous French Toast in the Paul Family Fellowship Hall.

It was a perfect family environment and mother’s day present when mothers, grandmothers joined their families for a delicious breakfast.

As in the past The Lillian Paul Gift to St. John's Church - A Trip to Armenia will be granted this year. All the church dues paying members are eligible to participate in this drawing. To Enter the drawing  please call the church office 415-661-1142. The winner will participate in Mer Hooys Pilgrimage to Armenia and Kharabagh led by Fr. Mesrop Ash from Sept. 24 - Oct. 10, 2014.

On Good Friday, April 18, 2014, St. John Armenian Church held its first Blood Drive, initiated and organized by Anoush Kelegian in memory of the Armenian Genocide Victims. Giving blood is giving the giſt of life for those who need it most. By collectively donating blood in honor of the Genocide Victims as a community, we symbolically expressed our gratitude as genocide survivors and expressed our devotion to uphold life in honor of our ancestors.
 

St. John ladies gathered together to learn more about fasting and Great Lent. The first session started at 10:30 led by Fr. Sarkis. His Lenten presentation was about the History of Christian Fasting Practices. The second session led by Fr. Mesrop Ash took place outdoors in the garden of St. John Church. Fr. Mesrop talked about the Lenten Journey in the Garden of The Soul. Upon conclusion of the session the ladies harvested some vegetables, lettuce, radishes and prepared a salad for lunch.
 
After lunch, there was a movie presentation followed by a prayer session.

Easter is the most important holy day for Christians all over the world, however, the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the culmination of series of ritual commemorations known as Holy Week. For The Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy Week is the recreation of the events of the last week of Christ’s life.

The Sunday before Easter, Armenian Orthodox Church celebrates Palm Sunday, the triumphant entry of our Lord Jesus Christ to Jerusalem. The altar that had been closed since Poon Paregentan, is once again opened. Palm Sunday is the last Sunday of lent and the beginning of Holy Week.

Thursday, April 17 at 8:30-9:00pm and on Saturday, April 19 at 3:30-4:00pm a half-hour program will be aired on Food and Spirituality on KQED in the Bay Area. 

Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014
Divine Liturgy………………………………………………10:30 a.m.
Opening of the Curtain (Turnpatzek)……............12:00 Noon
Followed by blessing of palm branches and solemn procession.
 
Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2014
Divine Liturgy            and Communion……………..10:30 a.m.
Washing of the Feet Service……………………………7:00 p.m.
Service of Betrayal and Passion……………………….8:15 p.m.
 
Good Friday, April 18, 2014
Service of the Burial of Our Lord…………………… 7:00 p.m.
Buffet dinner ……………………………………………...8:00 p.m.