Saturday, December 7, marks the 25th anniversary of the 1988 earthquake that struck the Armenian cities of Gyumri and Spitak. Parishes across the Eastern Diocese will conduct a requiem service on Sunday, December 8, for the departed souls who lost their lives in the earthquake and its aftermath.

"It is truly humbling to realize that a quarter-century has elapsed since the earthquake struck Armenia on December 7, 1988. It has been 25 years since large areas of Armenia were destroyed; 25 years since tens of thousands of our countrymen perished in the blink of an eye; 25 years since the life of the worldwide Armenian community was transformed, forever," writes Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.

"And it has also been 25 years since we witnessed that beautiful outpouring of goodwill from the world, directed towards our people in their hour of profound need."

The Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary is one of a cluster of holy days on which the Armenian Church expresses its tender devotion to the mother of Jesus Christ. She began life as the child of Sts. Joachim and Anna, a devout couple whose earnest prayer was answered with the birth of a daughter. Through her life of holiness and purity, and her graceful acceptance of the role to which God called her, Mary ranks among the pre-eminent exemplars of the Christian faith, whose birth and very conception are occasions for celebration.

The feast of her conception always falls on December 9, which this year coincides with the third Sunday of Advent. Called Hisnag in Armenian (from the word for "fifty"), Advent is the 50-day season of anticipation-physical and spiritual-leading to the Nativity of our Lord. It is a time to orient our actions, thoughts, and prayers to the miracle of His birth, and to rediscover God's abundant gifts around us. 

On Saturday December 14, 2013, the Feast of St. James of Nisibis, also our church's Name Day, the Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Archbishop Khajag Barsamian will celebrate Divine Liturgy on the Holy Altar of St. James Armenian Church in Evanston followed by a Celebratory Luncheon. A delegation from the Diocese of the Armenian Church will bring the Relic of St. James of Nisibis.

St. James Church is beginning a new undertaking and needs your help. We are in need of volunteers willing to give a few hours of assistance to elderly members of the Chicago Armenian community with household chores, minor home repairs, shopping, rides or just companionship.

Parishioners who were dues-paying members in 2012 (i.e., current members) who wish to vote at the 2014 parish assembly must pay their 2013 dues by December 31, 2013.

Parishioners who were NOT dues-paying members in 2012 (i.e., new members) needed to have paid their 2013 dues by June 30, 2013 in order to be eligible to vote at the 2014 parish assembly. We encourage all parishioners who are not eligible to vote at the 2014 assembly to pay their dues by June 30, 2014 so that they can vote at the 2015 parish assembly