Armenians of the Bay Area, including the parish of St. John, feel a sense of great pride that thoughout the Centennial Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we have organized to mark the somber occasion and achieved many goals. We have honored and even celebrated the sainted martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, educated our youth, advocated for just recognition, and raised awareness in the public sphere.

On Sunday, September 20, following church services, the much anticipated presentation of the “Historic Armenia After 100 years,” by the author Matthew Karanian took place in The Paul Family Hall. Fr. Mesrop Ash introduced Mr. Karanian and invited him to the podium.

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.

For the past three years, St. John has offered an Internship program for High School and College students where interns gain practical work experience, learn to work together, being creative, help the community and above all have fun.

This year 10 students participated in this program including Slavik Gevorkyan, Nick James, Lea Kissick, Maria Stone, Grant Hilman, Slavik Bayatyan, Andrew Boghossian, Alex Kouyoumdjian, Allen Torchiyan and Enrike Kaltakhtchyan. They met twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday from beginning of July until beginning of August.  

Family nights are one of the best ways to bring families together, sharing delicious food, making new friends, sharing stories and having fun. Friday August 7, the Family Night was dedicated to the Armenians from Iran.

Sunday, May 31st was another memorable day for St. John Armenian Church and its faithful.

St. John Armenian church is happy to release the Unified Camp Scholarship Application for 2015. It is a source of great spiritual joy for our community that many of our young people have applied and been accepted to participate in the Armenian Church Summer Camp of the Western Diocese. Through the generosity of various funds established with the purpose of sending young Armenians to Hye Camp, St. John is offering several scholarships to children and youth who have been active in the life of the parish.

For the past 6 months, St. John Jr. ACYO boys has been practicing basketball to participate in ACYO Sports Weekend which is held on Memorial weekend.  Friday, May 23, under the leadership of Fr. Mesrop Ash and their coach Vasgen Kosdantyan, St. John participated the 51st Annual ACYO Sports Weekend. We are proud to announce that the Jr. ACYO of St. John received the 3rd place Basketball trophy. Furthermore, all of the boys served on the Holy Altar during the Divine Liturgy at St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno. We're also proud that long serving St.

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.