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 January 3, the first meeting of the ACYO Core Group was held in the private residence of Fr. Mesrop and Yn. Annie. Present were 6 of our parish's talented youth. The purpose of this fun and productive meeting was to brainstorm new ways of growing St. John's youth ministry. Some of the activities which they have put on the calendar include:
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 Friday, December 14, at St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco, His Eminence Abp. Aris Shirvanian, Locum Tenens of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem was welcomed by Bay Area clergy Rev. Fr. Datev Haroutyunian, parish priest of St. Andrew Armenian Church of Cupertino and Northern California Regional Vicar; Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, parish priest of St. Vartan Armenian Church of Oakland; and St. John parish priest Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash.
On Sunday, December 16, 2013 at 10:25, the beautiful bells of St. John Armenian Church were ringing inviting Bay Area parishioners to participate in the Episcopal Divine Liturgy. His Eminence Archbishop Aris Shirvanian, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, along with the St. John altar servers and deacons were getting ready for the processional, while the choir members were vocalizing.
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.
Put faith into action: volunteer to cook at St. John or serve dinner at the Winter Shelter on six dates from December 2026 through March 2027.
Copyright 2026, St. John Armenian Church|275 Olympia Way, San Francisco, CA|Phone 415.661.1142|info@stjohnarmenianchurch.com
