Sunday School

Gathering together to kick off the year in September to a celebration lunch in May we have much to celebrate and be thankful for with the presence of our youth.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the most important of the four feasts of the Holy Cross. It is observed on Sunday closest to September 14. This year Armenian churches all around the world celebrated, The Exaltation of the cross on Sunday, September 13.

Year after year, it has been a true source of joy that more and more youth are attending the Annual Western Diocese Summer Camp program, known as Hye Camp. It is a safe and nurturing environment, where our youth can grow in their relationships with one another, their culture, and with Christ.

We are excited to announce that the 2015/2016 Sunday School year will officially begin on September 13, on the occasion of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Students are welcome to go to the Ashjian Room for a welcoming assembly, then they will attend Divine Liturgy as a group to celebrate the Feast, and hear a children’s sermon prepared by Fr. Mesrop.

Sunday April 26, following the Divine Liturgy, Sunday School Students presented a special program dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. For the past few months our dedicated Sunday School teachers and the students worked hard to prepare this special program.

Each year, on the first day of the Fast of the Holy Catechumens (First Lent), the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrates the Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, his son Martiros and his 14 soldiers-companions. By the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; the feast is proclaimed as a day of blessing of the youth. Saint Sarkis the Warrior is one of the most venerated Armenian saints. He is considered the patron saint of love and youth. His feast day is celebrated in late January or early February.

"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.

We are happy to announce that the 2014/2015 Sunday School year begins September 14 on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Students will meet in the Ashjian Room, and checkin. They will join the Divine Liturgy and take communion, then Fr. Mesrop will offer a special sermon on the occasion. Afterwards, the students will participate in the Day's special Antasdan service, and take a group photo.

We are pleased to announce that this year over 16 youth from St. John Armenian Church will attend Hey camp during the second and fourth week sessions. Fr. Mesrop Ash will be the camp chaplain for both weeks.  We wish them a happy and safe trip.  Campers will take with them choregs baked by our own ladies. Yum!

For those parents that have applied for camp scholarships, the Scholarship Committee will review them and inform the recipients throughout the month of June.

Sunday, June 1, was the last day of Sunday School.  As usual students gathered in the Ashjian room for a short rehearsal, and attended church to receive communion and a spiritual message by Fr. Mesrop Ash.