ACYO has been very active. September was full of cooking days with the ladies society for the food festival and Friday night hangouts. In October we had an overnight spiritual retreat with Fr. Mesrop and Dn. Charles. The night was full of discussion about prayer, baking rice crispy treats, and karaoke. Later that month we worked during the church’s annual food festival. We had a great time doing face painting and working various booths at the food festival.
When I look back at this year and the last 4 years on Parish Council, 3 as Chairman, there were many big events that took place that required the active and endless efforts of so many. I wanted to thank and acknowledge them for without their devoted efforts we would not have accomplished or had so much success.
All that God manifested through creation, in His unfathomable wisdom, is beautiful in some true way; whether it be the rings of Saturn or the rings of a tree, the eyes of a housefly or the eye of a hurricane. It’s not always simple to understand, nor to appreciate, but our minds can comprehend its intrinsic beauty on some level. Why? Because we have incomparably rational minds.
As we reflect on 2017 we have so much to be thankful for. Our regular gatherings throughout the year were well attended and continually filled with a bond of special friendship, wisdom and cheer from our longtime standing members, new members, and friends. Like our 75th Anniversary Gala that celebrated the good days from the past and honored the present, Ladies Society aims to continue to embrace this amongst all who connect with the Ladies Society and St. John Church. It’s a place we make friendships spanning generations, in our spiritual home.
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.
For over one year St. John has been offering seasonal religious education courses with unique, focused, and engaging topics. This program is continuing in 2018 with the newly Winter courses that will be offered from January 30 to March 6. The offerings include last seasons “Whats the Difference?” course and the newly designed “On Living Simply” course. As always, all courses are free, meet 4 to 5 times, and last about an hour.
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.
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