Parish News

"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.

Once again St. John celebrated its Annual Food Festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 18-19. For the past six months our devoted volunteers were preparing authentic Armenian food and pastries, under the leadership of Christina Ardemis and Linda Lester. This year the kitchen crew was really inspired by the positive energy of these two passionate women, and with fun and laughter they prepared traditional Armenian foods, like Sue Boreg, Kufta, Sarma, and many more.

Sunday September 7, 2014 a busy Sunday at St. John Armenian Church.  Following the Divine Liturgy and a thoughtful spiritual message by Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash about Christ's Ministry of Restoration, the congregation gathered in the Paul Family Hall Fellowship Hall.

The Assumption is the day that God assumed the Virgin Mary into Heaven following her death. It is the oldest and principal feast day of all those dedicated to St. Mary. Sunday, August 17, more than 150 faithful came to St. John Church to celebrate The feast day of the Assumption of St. Mary.

Early Sunday morning, Parish Council Chairman, Dn. Steven Cherezian and his crew were up preparing food and supplies for the Annual Church Picnic on Sunday.

The gorgeous sunny day, an ideal picnic area located near Coyote Point Marina, the Armenian music, and the aroma of the Armenian BBQ (Khorovads) brought the St. John family together. The day started with the morning service and spiritual message delivered by Fr. Mesrop Ash.  The lunch was served at noon; more than 175 people attended and enjoyed the food and fellowship.

The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the five main “Tabernacle” feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. It commemorates the transformation or the “transfiguration” that came over Jesus while He was praying.  Christ’s face shone like the sun and his clothes became a radiant and gleaming white. The Apostles Peter, James and John witnessed that event which occurred on a high mountain named Tabor.