Parish News

St. John Armenian Church are happy to announce that as of January 2015 there will be special discounted membership dues for students aged 18-25. Students will be asked to support the church in the amount of $50 annually, a discount from the $125 that is asked of standard members.

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.

The annual St. John Church toy drive for the UCSF Pediatric Ward was another success. Many thanks for the generous monetary donations and toys of our faithful.  We raised over $1300 in toys this year. Your generous donations were greatly appreciated by the children in the pediatric ward.  We thank you for your support.

The festive season is well and truly underway at St. John Church. Sunday December 7, following the Divine Liturgy and a warm bevereage, our youth decorated the Christmas tree with handmade ornaments, while parents and parishioners helped decorate the hall with garlands and lights.  St. John was ready for Christmas with the sound of Christmas music and the lighting of the tree and our beautifully decorated hall. Our Christmas tree was generously donated by Cecelia Baloian.

On Saturday, November 15, 2014, St. John held its Fourth Annual Veterans Night Dinner to honor those from our community who have served their nation in uniform. Approximately 70 guests, including 16 Veterans, enjoyed a delicious made-from-scratch lasagna dinner prepared by Choir Director Linda Lester, Arlene Barber and Christina Ardemis. The Hall was decorated beautifully with patriotism in mind by Helen Manougian, whose table centerpieces contained our American flag.

St. John Armenian Church is proud to release the application for the James Martin Klijian Memorial Fund College Scholarship for 2014. This special scholarship was generously established by the Barkev and Beatrice Klijian Family in 1976 in loving memory of James Martin Klijian. Scholarships are available each year for the purpose of supporting the youth of St. John and encouraging participation youth activities.