Saturday, February 28, 2015, Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian, Fr. Hovel Ohanian and Fr. Mesrop Ash along with Clergy from several Eastern Christian denominations, collectively referred to as the Eastern Churches of the Bay Area (ECoBA), participated in a demonstration outside the San Francisco Federal Building, to raise awareness regarding violence against Christians in Middle East. Several young men paid homage to the 21 Coptic Martyrs by wearing orange overalls who were brutally murdered by ISIS.

The first session of "Understanding Divine Liturgy" and Lenten Seminar Series was held on Tuesday, February 24 at 10:30am. Faithful attended the seminar and were engaged by the presentation and dialogue. Several participants also followed the presentation online, as it was boradcast live on Youtube, a first for St. John. Fr. Mesrop welcomed everyone and opened the session with prayer.

The lecture was divided in to 6 sections.

On Tuesday, February 17,  Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian, Northern Region Vicar,  Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, and Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash participated in Divine Liturgy and requiem prayers conducted by Fr. Bishoy William at the Archangel Michael and St. Mercurius Coptic Church in Redwood City. They were joined by several other clergy of Eastern Christian Churches from the Bay Area.

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.

Each year, on the first day of the Fast of the Holy Catechumens (First Lent), the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrates the Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, his son Martiros and his 14 soldiers-companions. By the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; the feast is proclaimed as a day of blessing of the youth. Saint Sarkis the Warrior is one of the most venerated Armenian saints. He is considered the patron saint of love and youth. His feast day is celebrated in late January or early February.

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.

On January 27, Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Parish Priest of St. Vartan Oakland, and Fr. Mesrop Ash, Parish Priest of St. John San Francisco, enjoyed a spiritually uplifting meeting with His Eminence Bishop Marc Andrus, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California.

Sunday, December 25, was the Feast of St. Stephen, the Protomartyr, who was one of the seven deacons ordained by the Apostles according to the New Testament books of Acts.  As December 28 was the following Sunday, following Divine Liturgy, Fr. Mesrop gave a brief introduction of why we celebrate the feast of St. Stephen, and then invited the deacons that were present to express how and why they were inspired to become deacons.

"This evening is not Christmas Eve in the Armenian Church, but it is a blessed occasion nontheless for us to gather together and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ," said Fr. Mesrop Ash as he welcomed the more than 200 faithful who gathered for the annual Candlelight Christmas Pagaent on December 24, 2014.

Cultivating a generation of young people who grow in their Chrstian faith and knowledge is one of our parishes most important goals.  It is with great joy and pride that we announce that on Sunday, December 21, 2014 St. John launched Its junior ACYO program under the direction of our  parish priest Fr. Mesrop Ash and youth advisor Ed Barber Jr., and with the support of many parents.