Sunday, March 30, was truly a day filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit for St. John parishioners. It was a special day of many activities incluiding the Episcopal Divine Liturgy, ordination of Deron Kapeghian to the deaconate, Hokehankist requiem service for Sumgayit massacres, our Michink luncheon, and the workshop organized by the Christian Education Council with Northern California Sunday School Students and parents.

On Monday, March 31, 2014 St. John Armenian Church hosted a screening of the documentary film “Ordinary Genocide.” Present were the films producers Marina Grigoryan and Haykaram Nahapetyan.  The film, with cutting honesty, presented the horrible events endured by the Armenians of Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabagh between 1988-1991. Upon the conclusion of the film screening there were discussions and a Q&A with the film makers.

The World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian laywomen’s initiative. It is run under the motto “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action,” and is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March. The movement aims to bring together women of various races, cultures and traditions in a yearly common Day of Prayer, as well as in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.

It has been a wonderful tradition to commemorate St. Vartan and his Companions jointly with all the Bay Area Armenian Churches. Each year's commemoration takes place in one of the Armenian Churches. This year, St. John Armenian Church hosted the feast day.  The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Asoghig Jamgochian, parish priest of St. James Armenian Church of Sacramento.

February 21-23 the Paul Family Hall was transformed in to a warm and intimate gallery decorated by the beautiful and unique artwork of renowned artist Lilit Soghomonyan. Lilit was invited by Saint John Armenian Church for her San Francisco debut solo exhibition.

More than 10 ladies along with Fr. Mesrop visited long time St. John Ladies Society member, Bea Bosghossian to celebrate her birthday on Wednesday, February 5. It was an unforgettable and memorable day for our Bea.

They were able to pray, catch up with church news, laugh toghether, eat cake, exchange gifts and enjoy one another's company.

We are excited to announce that Parish Priest, Fr. Mesrop Ash, will be leading a pilrimage to Armenia from September 24 - October 10, 2014. This will be a wonderful opportunity for the faithful of the Bay Area to experiance the Hayrenik, our ancestral homeland.

This pilgrimage will travel to all the essential sites of Armenian heritage, including Holy Etchmiadzin, Khor Virab, Lake Sevan, Dilijan, Artsakh, and more.

It has been a wonderful tradition at St. John to have a Candlelight Service on Western Christmas Eve. This year was no exception, more than 200 faithful gathered together to sing Christmas carols along with the St. John Choir, to hear the scripture readings by our dedicated deacons, and to watch our wonderful Sunday School Children present the Nativity scene.

On January 7, 2014 Armenian classes will resume each Tuesday evening at 7 PM. For returning students an intermediate level class has been established. Intermediate level Armenian speakers who have not been a part of the class may join. A new beginners level class will start on January 7, and all of those interested who did not register in the fall are welcome to sign-up. If you are interested in joining the class, Please contact the office at print the seas (415) 661–1142 ex. 0.

St. John Armenian Church is proud to announce that three applicants were granted 2013 James Martin Klijian Memorial Fund College Scholarship. Having reinstated the long standing scholarship in 2013, which was established by the Barkev and Beatrice Klijian Family in 1976 in loving memory of James Martin Klijian, the parish is grateful to honor them by supporting our outstanding youth in their academic endevors.