St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church stands on a quiet stretch of West Mount Pleasant Avenue in Livingston, New Jersey, where a century of Armenian-American life has taken shape. Organized as a parish in 1926 and seated at its current home since 1974, the church is the 13th largest congregation of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. Each Sunday morning the sound of the Divine Liturgy, known as the Soorp Badarak, fills the sanctuary, and afterward parishioners gather in the Haroutune and Siranoush Toufayan Hall for fellowship, Armenian coffee, and conversation. Beyond the formal liturgy, the parish is a center of Armenian religious education, dance, music, and community events for families across northern New Jersey.
A century of priests and three church homes
The Armenian Community of Newark and the surrounding area was officially organized as a parish in 1926. On Sunday, May 15, 1926, more than a thousand people crowded into Grace Episcopal Church in Newark as Archbishop Tirayre Der Hovhanesian conducted the first Armenian service for the new parish. That day marked the beginning of St. Mary. For the next decade services were held every other Sunday afternoon in churches rented from other denominations. In 1938 the community moved to the Episcopalian House of Prayer in Newark, where worship continued in the afternoons and the parish grew steadily with first-generation Armenian-Americans.
The dream of a permanent home led to the formation of a Building Committee in 1941 and the purchase of a lot in North Newark in 1947. In 1949, the V. Rev. Fr. Shnork Kaloustian was called to lead the parish and plans were drawn up to build. Rather than construct from scratch, the parish learned of a church in Irvington that was for sale. After a special Parish Assembly voted unanimously to buy it, the church, hall, parish house, and surrounding green became the property of St. Mary. On January 2, 1950, the Primate, Bishop Tiran Nersoyan, consecrated the Irvington church in the name of St. Mary, with Fr. Shnork Kaloustian installed as the first resident pastor. He would later become the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople and is remembered as the Father of St. Mary Church.
Fr. Shnork served until 1953, when he was followed by V. Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Gizirian (1953 to 1957) and the brief tenure of V. Rev. Fr. Oshin Nicolian. On Palm Sunday, 1958, Rev. Fr. Mampre Kouzouian arrived and remained for twelve and a half years, a pastor so beloved that parishioners called him Der Hayr (Dear Father). Under his care St. Mary reached its greatest membership and devotion, and in 1965 the parish purchased property in West Orange with an existing house and 3.2 acres in anticipation of a new building. Fr. Mampre was called to become Canon Sacrist of St. Vartan Cathedral in New York, and Rev. Fr. Ari Kehiayan shepherded the parish for a year and a half while plans advanced.
On June 26, 1971, V. Rev. Fr. Houssig Bagdasian arrived. Two years into his pastorate, the parish learned that the church property in Livingston was for sale. After negotiations with Mt. Olivet Church, the purchase was finalized in January 1974 and Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Primate, consecrated the new home of St. Mary on May 12, 1974. Fr. Houssig taught Armenian, built up the Sunday School and Armenian School, and led the parish through one of its darkest days when arsonists destroyed the church on March 26, 1980. The community rebuilt, and on March 14, 1982, the Primate consecrated the restored church. Fr. Houssig later became Pastor Emeritus and was called to Jerusalem in 1992.
From 1992 to 2000, Rev. Fr. Arshen Aivazian guided the parish, founding an Adult Bible Education program. In June 2000, Deacon Vartan Garabedian arrived and organized the parish's first summer camp, drawing more than thirty children. On September 9, 2001, Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin became the priest; he served for ten years, oversaw the creation of the church's online presence, established Love Your Church Day as an annual cleaning tradition, and saw the dedication of the Genocide Memorial Garden and Khatchkar. Under the generosity and vision of Hratch and Suzanne Toufayan, construction of a new hall began during his pastorate. On August 12, 2012, Rev. Fr. Arakel Derian became pastor, arriving with Yeretzgin Anush and their son Raffi. Within months, the renovated and expanded Haroutune and Siranoush Toufayan Hall was consecrated on November 12, 2012. Fr. Arakel redesigned the church's online presence and revitalized The Gantegh newsletter. He and his family concluded their service on July 31, 2024, and the parish was supported through the transition by visiting clergy, especially Fr. Arshen Aivazian.
On July 6, 2025, St. Mary welcomed its current pastor, Rev. Fr. Voskan Hovhannisyan, along with Yn. Olga and their son Hrach. Fr. Voskan was born on September 4, 1989, in Etchmiadzin, Armenia. He studied at the Vazgenyan Seminary in Sevan and at the Gevorgyan Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in theology. Ordained to the diaconate on December 25, 2010, and to the priesthood on February 27, 2014, he served in the Armenian parishes of Masis City and Marmarashen in Armenia. In 2017 His Holiness Karekin II assigned him as an intern in the Eastern Diocese, and he completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis before being named pastor of Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Armenian Church in Belleville, Illinois, where he served until 2025. Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, appointed him to St. Mary effective July 1, 2025.
The parish proudly traces a remarkable line of clergy: the first pastor became Patriarch of Constantinople, the second became Primate of England, and Fr. Houssig Bagdasian became the first American-born priest to be elevated to bishop. On May 17, 2026, on the occasion of the parish's 100th anniversary, Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan ordained Robert Sarkisyan as sub-deacon and Mihran Maldjian, Armen Hallajian, Hagop Dishoyan, Hrach Hovhannisyan, and Vincent Diacheysn as tbirs.
The Armenian Apostolic faith and the Eastern Diocese
St. Mary is a parish of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, a church whose roots extend to the preaching of the apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew in the first century. The complete conversion of Armenia to Christianity is dated to A.D. 301 under St. Gregory the Illuminator, and the Armenian alphabet was created in 405 by Mesrob Mashdots to translate the Bible into Armenian from the Greek Septuagint. The Armenian Church accepts the decisions of the first three Ecumenical Councils (Nicaea in 325, Constantinople in 381, and Ephesus in 431) and confesses Christ as the one incarnate nature of the Word of God, fully human and fully divine. Its teachings on sacraments and church order do not differ from those of the other Orthodox Churches.
St. Mary belongs to the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, which is under the jurisdiction of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia, the preeminent site of the Armenian Church since A.D. 303. The Diocese is headed by His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate, who resides at the Diocesan Cathedral of St. Vartan in New York City. The Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians is His Holiness Karekin II.
The parish describes itself as the Growing Church that Shares and Cares at Prayer. Her mission is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by the celebration and administration of the Word and Sacraments instituted by Christ and confirmed by the apostolic teaching and doctrine, according to the Armenian Church's sacred traditions. Parishioners old and young are offered a commitment to religious and spiritual development in an Armenian cultural context.
Sunday at St. Mary: Liturgy, Sunday school, and dance
Sunday is the heart of life at St. Mary. The Morning Service begins at 9:30 a.m. and the Divine Liturgy follows from 10:00 a.m. until noon. The liturgy is celebrated in English with Armenian liturgical elements, and the congregation is served by deacons, sub-deacons, stole-bearers, and tbirs from the Altar Servers, whose work in the sanctuary has been a constant since the founding of the parish. After the service, all are invited to gather for fellowship in Toufayan Hall.
Children have a parallel schedule of formation. The Araratian Armenian School meets from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. with a curriculum that incorporates Armenian language, history, dance, and music, taught by a dedicated staff. The Araratian Sunday School meets from 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., bringing children closer to God through prayer, reflection on the Bible, and knowledge of the Armenian Orthodox Apostolic Church. The mission of the Sunday School is to pass on the spiritual heritage entrusted by the holy Apostles as well as the cultural heritage of generations of Armenian ancestors. Classes are available for various age groups and are free of charge. Registration for the 2026 to 2027 school year is now open, with an opening day of September 13, 2026. A suggested registration donation of $50 per child, or $100 per family with three or more children, supports the program.
St. Mary also offers Armenian dance classes through the Shushi Armenian Dance Ensemble, led by Avetik Karapetyan. Classes meet on Sundays at the church for ages two to five (10:00 to 10:30 a.m.) and ages six and up (9:00 to 10:00 a.m.). The program is a cultural gift to parish families and a way to keep Armenian music and movement alive for a new generation.
When livestreaming is available on Sundays, the Divine Liturgy is livestreamed on YouTube.
The seven sacraments and the rhythm of parish life
The Armenian Apostolic Church administers seven: baptism, Chrismation, confession, communion, marriage, priesthood, and unction (anointing of the sick). At St. Mary, baptisms, weddings, funerals, requiems (Hokehankist), the health prayer (anointing of the sick), home blessings, and confessions are all part of regular pastoral care.
Holy Baptism in the Armenian Church unites three sacraments in one service: Baptism, Chrismation with Holy Muron, and First Holy Communion. The Armenian Church recommends that the sacrament be administered anytime from the eighth to the fortieth day after the birth of a child. At least one Godparent must be a baptized and chrismated member of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. The neophyte is given an Armenian-style cross and chain; crucifix-style crosses are not part of the Armenian tradition. The full washing of the child takes place at home on the third day, with the water poured into the soil of a garden or lawn rather than down the drain.
The Crowning of Holy Matrimony always takes place in the church sanctuary, between a man and a woman, by the blessing of the priest. Arrangements are made at least five months in advance. By canon law, no marriage may take place after 4:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoons or before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons, and weddings are not celebrated during Great Lent, Holy Week, or on major Feast Days of Easter, Theophany, Transfiguration, Assumption, and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. If either party has been divorced, a dispensation must be granted by the Diocesan Bishop.
The parish also celebrates the Funeral and Requiem services. Hokehankist is the requiem service offered for the repose of departed souls, and the annual Memorial Day for the Departed, called Merelots, follows each of the five Tabernacle Feasts. On these days the Divine Liturgy is celebrated for the departed, followed by a requiem and the blessing of graves.
Toufayan Hall, classrooms, and the parish grounds
The parish occupies a substantial campus with several buildings that serve worship, education, and community life. The main church is consecrated to the Soorp Badarak. Adjacent to it stands the Haroutune and Siranoush Toufayan Hall, named for the family whose generosity made possible the renovation and expansion that was dedicated on November 12, 2012.
Toufayan Hall offers 2,492 square feet of ballroom space with a 576-square-foot dance floor, an additional 900 square feet of meeting space on the lower level, and a stage with a grand piano. The hall is ADA compliant and handicapped accessible, with an elevator and accessible bathrooms. Parking accommodates 80 cars, with valet service available for 100. A speaker system and a pull-down screen hidden in the ceiling support meetings and presentations. The hall is an ideal venue for wedding receptions and other occasions, with a convenient location 24 miles from New York City and easy access to Routes 24, 78, 280, 287, and 10.
The classrooms and work areas include three classrooms, a new nursery, and a new conference room, fully equipped with WiFi, furniture, utilities, cleaning, and parking. The spaces are available as rental areas for schools, daycare, music lessons, and meetings. The parish also maintains a picnic area and playground, with proceeds from the Fall Kef Night earmarked for the playground.
The Women's Guild, the Choir, and the Altar Servers
The Women's Guild has been integral to St. Mary since March 19, 1928, when a group of devoted ladies gathered at the home of Mrs. Takouhi Essayan. The first executive committee was chaired by Mrs. Haiganoush Zotian with Mrs. Perouz Moroukian as vice chairlady, Mrs. Meroubeh Haigazian as secretary, Mrs. Elise Sirabian as assistant secretary, and Mrs. Takouhi Essayan as treasurer. Over nearly a century the women of the parish have worked in the kitchen, sanctuary, and classrooms, supported the Sunday and Armenian Schools, collected clothing for Armenia, assembled gift baskets for the elderly in the surrounding community, and run the annual Tricky Tray dinner, the major fundraiser of the Guild. The women of the Guild also participate in the Divine Liturgy as choir members and congregants and gather annually on Saintly Women's Day to honor the women saints of the Armenian Church.
The Choir sings the liturgical music of the parish and is supported by members of the Women's Guild and other volunteers.
The Altar Servers assist the priest during the Divine Liturgy and include ordained deacons and sub-deacons, stole-bearers, and tbirs who fill the prescribed liturgical roles. The earliest deacons of St. Mary included Deacon Dickran Parounag, Deacon Levon Manigian, Haroutiune Ourganian, Haroutine Dirhemjian, and Hagop Zadigian. Archbishop Torkom Manoogian ordained Vartan Abdo as deacon in 1976, along with new sub-deacons, stole-bearers, and tbirs. On May 17, 2026, on the occasion of the parish's 100th anniversary, Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan ordained new members into the altar service.
The Endowment Fund and stewardship
St. Mary has done away with fixed membership dues. Instead, members are invited to be stewards of the church through pledged gifts based on their own ability and kindness. Stewardship may take the form of an annual pledge, a one-time donation, or a contribution to the St. Mary Endowment Fund, which was created in 1986 by Pastor Emeritus Bishop Houssig Bagdasian and a group of parishioners with a vision for the future. The fund reached the half-million-dollar mark in 2003 and continues to grow through careful investing. Donors may establish a named fund in their own name, in the name of a deceased loved one, or as a living memorial through a will.
Online giving is available through a secure stewardship portal, the Endowment Fund portal, and dedicated portals for the Food Festival and raffle. The church office receives general inquiries at adi.stmarynj@gmail.com.
Annual celebrations and the Armenian calendar
St. Mary's life is shaped by the rhythm of the Armenian liturgical year. The Annual Armenian Food Festival in late September fills Toufayan Hall with shish kebab, chicken and luleh kebabs, pork barbecue, gyro platters, cheese booreg, mezze, katayif, boorma, and Taste Hayastan specialties, with vegetarian and vegan options. The festival features music by DJ Edgar Juharian, children's entertainment, local vendors, and a 50/50 cash raffle.
Other annual events include the Women's Guild Tricky Tray Dinner in the fall at Il Tulipano in Cedar Grove, the Fall Kef Night hosted by the Sunday School to benefit the new playground, the Steak and Bourbon Night of the Men's Club, and a Christmas celebration for the parish. Concerts such as the Lilit Pipoyan live concert in Toufayan Hall bring Armenian music and poetry to the community.
Among the major feasts celebrated through the Armenian calendar are the Nativity of the Holy Virgin Mary (September 8), the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachveratz) on the Sunday between September 11 and 17, with the preceding week a fasting period and the following Monday a Memorial Day for the Departed, the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak (a uniquely Armenian national feast on the Sunday nearest September 28), the Feast of the Discovery of the Girdle of the Holy Mother of God on the second Sunday after the Assumption, the commemoration of the 318 Holy Fathers of the Council of Nicaea, and the Commemoration of St. John the Forerunner and Righteous Job.
The feast days, saints' days, and fasting days are listed on the parish calendar and posted to Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for those who wish to follow the church year.
Publications and online life
St. Mary keeps its community informed through several regular publications. The Gantegh is the parish newsletter, redesigned under Fr. Arakel Derian and continued by the current pastor. The Weekly E-Newsletter carries timely items, and the Sunday Bulletin is available in print at services. Anniversary Booklets are produced at parish milestones.
Online, the parish is active on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The YouTube channel includes streams of the Divine Liturgy when livestreaming is available, and Fr. Voskan maintains his own presence on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for pastoral communication.
Visiting St. Mary
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and can be reached at (973) 533-9794 or by email at adi.stmarynj@gmail.com. Sunday Services run from 9:30 a.m. to noon, with fellowship continuing after noon in Toufayan Hall. The parish welcomes visitors to attend any Sunday and to seek out a Parish Council member for a tour by calling ahead. The church is wheelchair accessible, with accessible parking and an elevator to the hall. The church is located in northern New Jersey, 24 miles from New York City, with convenient access to Routes 24, 78, 280, 287, and 10.
For those interested in baptism, marriage, funeral, or other sacraments, the pastor and the Women's Guild welcome inquiries. Sunday School registration, Armenian language classes, and Armenian dance classes through the Shushi Armenian Dance Ensemble all welcome new participants throughout the year.