On December 4, 2016, the families of St. John gathered together to decorate the parish complex for the Christmas season. This annual activity instills unites the parish community in a festive sense celebration, as we prepare ourselves to mark the miraculous birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Priest.
On a chilly afternoon, December 3, 11 members of the St. John ACYO met at the base of the Mt. Davidson Cross to spend an hour and a half tending the to the precious San Francisco landmark, and profound Armenian Genocide memorial. The previous season had left a growth of grass and weeds coming through the cracks at the base of the cross, and the fallen leaves blanketed the surrounding space.
For the past 68 years, the young leaders of Armenian Churches throughout the West Coast have gathered together on Thanksgiving Weekend for the Annual Convention of the Armenian Church Youth Organization. This year's convention was hosted at St. Apkar Armenian Church in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Sunday, November 13, 2016, following the church service, a poetry reading and book signing event was held at Paul Family Fellowship hall organized by St. John Armenian Church. Poet James Baloian read poems from his newly published poems called “Photo of an Unknown Ancestor” accompanied by live music with Max Baloian and friends.
James was not reciting his poems, but living them. He read them slowly and naturally, with affection and emotion.
On Sunday, September 11, 2016, St. John Armenian Church celebrated The Feast of Exaltation of the Cross which is the last of the five major feasts in the calendar of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It was a memorable day in the life of the parish not only becaues the profound victory of the Holy Cross was celebrate, but because it brought the community together to honor several important milestones.
We are happy to share the following message from Mer Hooys, House of Hope regarding one of our Sunday School Students:
Sophene Panosian, a 10-year-old fifth grader from KZV Armenian School and Sunday School student at St. John Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco, California has started her own little business baking cakes and cupcakes to raise money for Mer Hooys. Her goal is to raise $1000 and she is well on her way!
Ladies Society Chair, Paula Boghosian, organized a fun day for ladies from St. John’s Ladies Society on Tues. Aug. 30. Of course, it started off with curbside coffee and choreg before we hit the road! Things got even better when Paula spilled some coffee and Hrantouhi announced that in Armenian tradition that meant, “Good Luck!”
The proverb proved true as our van got us there and back without traffic or incident. Before we knew it, we were all sitting on stools sipping wine and tasting chocolate at Farrari-Carano Tasting Bar and Boutique in downtown Healdsburg.
The much anticipated Summer Benefit Concert was held on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at St. John Armenian Church, Paul Family Hall. The three talented and promising young Armenian artists, Nadima Avakian, soprano; Karo Avakian, tenor; and Astghik Sakanyan, pianist, captured the audience by their outstanding performance. Fr. Mesrop Ash welcomed and thanked everyone for not only supporting these artists, but also supporting the Mer Houys organization.
Here's what can happen on Volunteer Day. When gardening and with perfect timing you find some treasures like hidden garden fresh garlic to share with volunteers and parsley stalks that can be shared with the goats across the street. Some of us also worked in the kitchen making Mas.
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