As with past Christmas holidays we once again celebrated with a number of engaging activities for not only the children but the young at heart. We lead off with an assemblage of gracious volunteers to come in and decorate the hall, tree and also the church as well. Everyone gets to participate in either hanging the lights or the little ones bringing an ornament to place on the tree.  

For the first time St. John conducted an installation of the officers of the Parish Council, the Ladies Society, and the Armenian Church Youth Organization in one service.

This event became an expression of the unity of purpose and vision for cooperation that our parish is cultivating with leadership. 

Following the installation ceremony, newly elected Parish Council Chair Kathy Kapeghian expressed her gratitude to be able to serve the church and to do so along with so many devoted parish members, from across generations.

On November 17, 2017, St. John celebrated the 75th Anniversary of its founding as a Parish with a Gala Banquet at the Waterfront Marriott in Burlingame. 

St. John values the artistic talent found in the Armenian Community, and as often as possible will look for opportunities to share it with the congregation. Toward this end, St. John invited Yn. Marine Zuloyan to exhibit her lively and joyful artwork on November 3 through 5. An opening was hosted on Friday evening, and the exhibition concluded following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday. Yn. Marine’s husband, Fr. Vazken Boyajian, of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church, celebrated the Divine Liturgy that day as well.

In conjunction with the visit of the Diocese Primate His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of St. John Armenian Church, special ordination services were held during the Episcopal Divine Liturgy.

On October 21–22, 2015, St. John Armenian Church hosted their 75th Annual Food Festival. This spectacular event is a major attraction that draws thousands of visitors from the Greater Bay Area each year. The Festival is a cultural feast of Armenian flavors, an authentic traditional cuisine that is handed down from generation to generation, Armenian folk music, and dancing, showcasing Armenian gifts from Armenia and bringing the community together.

We are excited to announce that in conjunction with the celebrations being coordinated to mark the 75th Anniversary of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco, our community will witness the ordination to the diaconate of two of its beloved sons, sDn. Nshan Kesecker and sDn. Kevin Kestekyan on November 19, 2017. 

His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and preside over the ordinations of these devoted young men.

Beginning mid-September, St. John will be offering two five-session Bible study courses to the faithful, led by Fr. Mesrop Ash. 

The first course will be an updated version of the Fresh Faith series, which is an engaging review of essential concepts of Armenian Apostolic Christianity. This course will be offered Sept. 19 through Oct. 17, each Tuesday from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. This course is perfect for those looking to engage their faith for the first time, or those who are looking to just brush up on crucial concepts.

it was quite a site. Boxed bikes parts being assembled, helmets, water bottles, sleeping bags, bike bags and the excited chatter of bicyclists on a mission that would go from San Francisco to Georgia.

For 2-1/2 days St. John graciously hosted 28 bicyclists (aged 19-70) representing The Fuller Center for Housing, as they began their journey across the country to raise money and awareness of Fuller's commitment to providing people with a decent place to live.

An altar server training program was held at the Western Diocese in LA. Allen Torchiyan, Enrike Kaltakhtchyan, Paul Israelian, and I were able to attend. It was a great weekend for us to learn different aspects of the Sunday Liturgy. Topics included learning different liturgical hymns as well as learning the different roles of an altar server. On that Sunday, we attended the liturgy at the cathedral. We also got to know the Burbank ACYO Chapter a little better. They were very welcoming.