Saturday, April 9, the highly anticipated  Taline and Friends concert took place at St. John Armenian Church. Based in Glendale, California, Taline is an Armenian children’s music singer whose bright and cheerful songs and dances bring joy to Armenian children and teach them the Armenian alphabet and the importance of keeping the Armenian language and heritage.

Originally one show was scheduled, but due to popular demand the committee decided to add a second show the same day, so every Armenian family with children had the opportunity to attend this unprecedented event.

The parishioners of St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco were delighted to welcome the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian for the episcopal celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Assisting His Eminence at the Holy Altar were the Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan and the Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash, Pastor of the host parish.

On December 17th, toys were dropped off to the UCSF Pediatric Ward for our annual toy drive. This year marks the 13th year that St. John Church has participated in a toy drive. We have donated over $15,000 in toys over those years. This tradition was started by our own junior ACYO and has grown to include our parish and community. The ACYO would hold dances and fundraisers including bake sales to raise money for the toy drive. We would also receive generous donations from parishioners like you to help support the toy drive.

On Sunday, December 20, Following the Divine Liturgy and a spiritual message by Fr. Mesrop Ash, the faithful gathered at The Paul Family Hall for a Christmas Party Reception hosted by Parish Council.

This year Ladies Society held their annual Christmas Party and General meeting on Thursday, December 17, 2015, more than 50 members were present to celebrate Christmas together.

Fr. Mesrop Ash blessed the table and wished everyone a happy and safe Christmas. Following lunch Linda Lester invited everyone to sing along to classic Christmas Carols. This year the ladies decided not to exchange gifts, instead each one brought gifts to be donated to the elderly patients at nearby Laguna Honda Hospital. Following the meeting all the presents were wrapped and delivered to the hospital.

A reflection about the highs and lows of working to realize the Annual Food Festival by Ladies Society Board Member, Linda Lester.

On Sunday November 8, 2015 St. John wholeheartedly welcomed author Maral Boyadjian to discuss her acclaimed book “As the Poppies Bloomed” with her sister Salpi Ghazarian, Director of the Institute of Armenian Studies at USC. During the conversation with her sister and the audience, Maral shared some of her familial stories from her grandparents, all four of who were survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! The Ladies Society will be selling large Christmas Choreg on Sundays after church for $15.00 each. All proceeds will go to Armenian Summer Camp Scholarships for our children.

Prepare for Easter and order your Presale Soubereg now. Ladies Society will be making Soubereg in time for Easter.  Order ¼  or  ½ trays and pay in full by January 10th for pickup at the end of February. $15.00-$30.00 each. Proceeds will go to Armenian Summer Church Camp Scholarships and the Garden committee.

St. John Armenian Church is proud to announce that long time parishioner, Tigran Antonian was recently honored as Alumni of the Year of the Krouzian Zakarian Vasbouragan Armenian School in San Francisco. Tigran serves a positive example of the Armenian American 

This year as in the past St. John Parish Council hosted an appreciation luncheon following church services, for all the volunteers who worked diligently to make the Food Festival a successful event. The event was well attended. Fr. Mesrop Ash welcomed everyone and thanked not only the volunteers that helped during the festival but to all the parishioners for all their support and love throughout the year.  Dr.