On Thursday, February 28, his Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian visited the community of St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco.

With spiritual joy we announce that on Wednesday, February 13, the first Lenten Meditation or Hesgoom of the 2013 Great Lenten season was performed at St. John Armenian Church. With many faithful in attendance, Fr. Mesrop began the service by explaining that this year's vigils were being called meditations in order to remind us that Lent is a time for meditation, when we can focus our thoughts on God, and strip away unnecessary things. This is healthy, and spiritually rejuvenating.

Wednesday January 16, Fr. Mesrop held a Bible Study Session with the San Francisco group at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David and Marina Israelyan, and on Tuesday, January 22,  with the Peninsula group at the home of Dn. and Mrs. Sarkis and Hera Kestekyan,  there were more then 15 participants in each session that received spiritual nourishment, and why not had fun after Bible Study. We thank the Israelyan and Kestekyan families for opening their doors.

On Sunday, January 27, 2013 the Feast of St. Sarkis the Warrior was commemorated, and was Youth day at St. John Church. Fr. Mesrop Ash invited the youth for a special service and blessing and delivered a special message, he talked about who St. Sarkis was and what was his role in the Armenian Church.

A special message was offered for youth of all ages about the role of social networks in our lives, such as Facebook.

St. John Ladies Society held its annual Christmas Luncheon/Meeting on December 1, 2012. A delicious gourmet luncheon was hosted and prepared by Linda Lester and Marietta Nichols.

The following are the members of the 2013 Executive Board: Linda Lester and Anoush Maghdissian Co-Chair, Cecelia Baloian, Marietta Nichols, Arlene Barber, Helen Manougian, Yer. Annie Ash, Millie Sheehy and Isabelle Dokouzian.

On December 10, Fr. Mesop Ash attended the 2012 ArmTech Congress on the campus of Stanford University. Also in attendance was Parish Council member Greg Nemet Sr. During the conference they learned about the various initiatives taken place between Silicon Valley and the Republic of Armenia to stimulate the growth of the tech sector. In the evening Fr. Mesrop and Yn. Annie. as well as many members from our community, were invited to participate in the banquet to celebrate the conference.

Once again in continuing with tradition, St. John Armenian Church hosted  the annual toy drive benefiting UCSF's Pediatric Ward.  this year’s Toy Drive was a huge success by raising  over $1600 in toys Many thanks for the generous monetary donations and toys. Your generous donations were greatly appreciated by the children in the pediatric ward and by St. John Armenian Church.

St. John extends its thanks to Dn. Charles Cherezian and Ms. Carmen Kestekyan for their hard work in organizing the toy drive.

On December 20, Fr. Mesrop Ash visited KZV Armenian School and met with the principal Mrs. Grace Andonian to express Holiday wishes. He visited the classrooms and explained to the students the true meaning of Christmas which is not only receiving presents but giving, helping, caring and loving to one another .He wished everyone happy and safe Christmas and New Year.  

The Christmas bells were ringing on December 24, at St. John Armenian Apostolic Church. More than 200 hundred faithful were present to participate in celebrating the Western Christmas candlelight Service. The sanctuary and the Paul Family hall were beautifully decorated with Christmas ornaments.

The service started with the Lord’s Prayer followed by scripture readings by our dedicated deacons, the congregation joined the choir singing traditional Christmas Carols. Sunday School students participated in the pageant, presenting the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On Saturday, November 17, 2012, St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco held its annual Veterans Dinner in honor of United States Marine Corps Captain Matthew Patrick Manoukian, 29, who was killed in August in Sangin District, Afghanistan by a rogue Afghan policeman.  33 veterans attended the dinner as guests of the Parish and 200 guests  showed their respect and appreciation for all our brave veterans.