Every year St. John Armenian Church hosts the annual toy drive benefiting UCSF Pediatric Ward. As usual spearheaded by our own Dn. Charles Cherezian, this year's toy drive was a huge success.  Over $1,000 toys were purchased and delivered to the hospital. We thank our Sunday School students and families for donating toys and all who made monetary donations. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by the children in the pediatric ward. We also thank Dn. Charles for making this event possible every year.

We are pleased to announce that starting January 8, 2014, Fr. Mesrop Ash will be conducting Evening (Vespers) Service every Wednesday, from 6:30pm-7:00pm. The service will be concluded with a short spiritual reflection. Our parishoners are encouraged to participate in this meditative service.

Sunday, December 8, following the church service, and delicious “madagh” lunch hosted by the Gasparyan family, the parishioners of St. John Armenian Church gathered together to decorate the hall and the church.

Saturday, November 16, St. John Paul Family Hall was decorated with American flags, and red, white and blue flowers in honor of our veterans. The third Annual Veterans dinner was a momentous occasion. Amongst the attendees that evening, 35 veterans attended the event with their families and friends. They were all recognized for their service.

On Tuesday, October 1, in an inaugural lunch meeting, Bishop Michael Barber, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oakland and Vicar General Fr. George Mockel met with two clergymen of the Armenian Church in the San Francisco Bay Area, Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Pastor of St. Vartan Oakland, and Fr. Mesrop Ash, Pastor of St. John San Francisco. 

The Ladies Society of St. John Church hosted a luncheon on Saturday, November 9. St. John Paul Family Fellowship hall was filled with the sweet aroma of the Ghapama, along with the beautiful traditional song "Hey Jan Ghapama". More than 40 ladies were present, as well as Western Diocese Ladies Society Central Council chairlady, Gladys Saroyan.

This year St. John Armenian Church celebrated its 71^st Annual Food Festival on Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20. For the past six months our wonderful hard working ladies prepared numerous traditional foods including Sue Boreg, Kufta, Choreg, Cheese Boreg, Spinach Boreg, Sarma, and many more dishes. Under the leadership of Dn. Charles Cherezian, and the dedicated committee the Food Festival was indeed a great success. One of the main reasons for the success was the devotion and positive spirits of our volunteers.

In April 2013, the Sayat Nova Cultural Committee of St. John Armenian Church organized a concert in honor the Holy Priesthood of the Armenian Church on the occasion of the First Anniversary of the Ordination of Fr. Mesrop Ash. Thanks to the generousity of our parishoners who supported this event, a donation was given to the Paros Foundation to provide much needed pianos for the Kanakervan Art School in Armenia. The Paros Foundation has just reported that these pianos have been purchased and installed in the school. Watch the video and follow the link below for more information.