St James Altar smaller
E-Bulletin
ST. JAMES ARMENIAN Apostolic CHURCH
Rev. Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, Pastor
816 Clark Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Tel: 847-864-6263

 

January 12 - 18, 2014
SUNDAY, January 12, 2014

Seventh Day of the Nativity

  

Morning Service 9:15 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
Blessing of Water
 
Scripture readings:

Romans 1:1-7

Luke 2:1-7

Blessing of Water
 

After the Divine Liturgy on January 6 The Blessing of Water takes place as a symbolic commemoration of the "Baptism of Christ". In the Armenian Church, the service is called Churorhnek. The Blessing of the Water celebration was originally performed in the Holy Land, at the river Jordan on Theophany, January 6. As the word spread of the beautiful ceremony in the Holy Land, churches outside of Jerusalem began to perform this ceremony by the riverside or at the seashore. Later, because of subsequent Islamic prohibitions under the Ottoman Turkish Empire, this and other public out-door rituals were henceforth accomplished within the confines of the churches. The Ritual of the Blessing of the Water A large basin containing water is placed on the table in the sanctuary in front of the Altar. The priest, signifying Christ's entry into the river Jordan, immerses a cross in the water. A silver dove-shape chrism or "Muron" container is brought up in procession as the choir sings the Hymn Looys ee Looso (Light of Light). Next the water is blessed, and the dove is raised up by the celebrant who takes it to the basin of water and dispenses a few drops of the holy oil into the water through the mouth of the dove. Muron is kept in a dove-shaped container symbolic of the Holy Spirit who dispenses the graces that are given to those who are anointed and who receive it through the blessed water at Theophany.

 

Dn. Krikor Mirijanian is chosen as Godfather of this year's "Blessing of the Water" service at St. James Armenian Church. 

Congratulations to Dn. Krikor on this holy occasion! 

May God bless the entire Mirijanian Family!


Gift of Love 
Christmas Yughakin
 

In this Holy Season of Christmas it has become a tradition in our church to donate our Christmas Yughakins as a gift of love in memory or in honor of our loved ones.  The Yughakin form and the enclosed Offering Envelope are for your convenience.

 

Yughakin tradition is an ancient custom, which goes back to the Old Testament times. The faithful would bring oil to the temple of God so that its servants would have enough to eat.  Later on this custom entered into the Christian religion when oil was brought to Church by believers in order to illuminate it by lighting the lamps in the Church. 

 

Today, Yughakin is simply the price or the value of oil donated to the Church. Yughakin in Armenian means "price of oil." In our church, today, we of course do not burn oil in order to illuminate the sanctuary, but we use electricity, gas and other operating expenses. Let us continue the custom of Yughakin to keep the lights of St. James always burning!

 

Christmas Poinsettias. We encourage our parishioners and friends also to contribute towards Christmas Poinsettias, which so graciously decorate our sanctuary during New Year and Christmas season.

 

Christmas Card. Finally, you may make in lieu of Christmas card donation and have your name appear in our Christmas Sunday Bulletins and Deseelk (Vision) Newsletter wishing all of your friends at St. James Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

 

Have a Blessed Christmas and healthy and happy New Year!

 

Click hear to donate now.

Living the Gospel of Christ: Who Do You Say I Am?
A Six-Session Bible Study
 
Fr. Tadeos

Wednesday, January 15 at 8 PM

Led by Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan, 

Pastor of St. Sahag Armenian Church (St. Paul, MN)

 

This year's Diocesan theme is Living the Gospel of Christ. The ultimate goal of this series involves knowing, understanding and doing as Christ prescribed through His actions and teachings as depicted in the Gospels. This series will also help us understand both who Christ is and what His Message is.

 

As always, you can either join Der Hayr at St. James or participate online on the following Wednesdays: January 15 and 29 at 8:00 PM.

 

You need to download an application on your computer to be able to participate online. Questions? Click here
 
Go to www.stjamesevanston.org to join the session online on Wednesday.

Home Blessing

One of the holy traditions of the Armenian Church is the Home Blessing Service, which according to St. Gregory of Datev was established by Our Savior Jesus Christ, when after His Resurrection He entered the upper room and blessed the disciples. When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews,Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." (John. 20:19). During the apostolic times, the twelve apostles of Jesus visited the homes of the faithful to bless them and to spread the good news of Christ's birth and His Resurrection. Likewise their followers - priests and bishops, entered the homes of the faithful on the occasions of Theophany and Easter (Holy Resurrection) to tell the good news of our Lord's Nativity and to bless them and their homes through a special Service.

 

Through the Home Blessing Service, the house of the faithful becomes a small church. 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Philippians 1:2). During the Service the priest prays to God and asks Him to keep the home, its inhabitants, and the children in good health, so that they live a devout life, glorify the name of Almighty God and heighten the Holy Church.

 

Love and peace are established in the sanctified home. Therefore, it is desirable that the faithful devoutly keep the graces from heaven, which filled their homes. But if sinful behavior dominates in the house it can never become a church inhabited by the Holy Trinity, saints and angels.

 

According to the sacred traditions of the Armenian Church, God's blessing is asked for homes on different occasions, like on the Nativity and the Resurrection of Christ, as well as on the joyous occasion of moving into a new home.

 

Holiday season is the time when homes are blessed by the Pastor. All parishioners who wish to have their homes blessed on the occasion of the Feast of the Theophany and Nativity of Christ should call Der Hovhan (847) 644-7389 to make arrangements. Have a piece of bread, dish of salt and glass of water available for the blessing.


Volunteers Needed 
 

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.

  

We are in the process of putting together a directory of individuals interested in volunteering their time. This directory will be used by church staff to pair seniors in need of assistance with volunteers. (This is a great community service opportunity for students.) If you or someone you know wishes to help, please contact Der Hovhan at office@stjamesevanston.org or (847) 864-6263. 

Looking Ahead to the Summer Camp Season


With the onset of Arctic temperatures in recent weeks, it's not hard to dream of warm summer days. And here at the Diocese, preparations have begun for the 2014 summer camp season.

Online camper registration for St. Vartan Camp is now open. Click on the following links to  register a camper or to  download applications for St. Vartan Camp CIT, staff, and volunteer positions.

Hye Camp applications for campers, CITs, staff, and volunteers are available here.

For more information about Hye Camp or St. Vartan Camp, contact Jennifer Morris, director of the Department of Youth and Young Ministries, at (248) 648-0702 or via e-mail at jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org; or the department's coordinator Lorie Odabashian at (212) 686-0710, ext. 143, or via e-mail at lorieo@armeniandiocese.org.
 
St. James Amrneian Church will observe February 9th as DIOCESAN CAMP SUNDAY.  
 
Click here to see the latest Diocesan Summer Camp e-newsletter.


Altar Guild's Wish List

1.  Two jajanch radiance (ostensorium). $300-600 each, not pledged.

2.  Painting for the main altar. $5,400, pledged.

3.  Painting of the St. Gregory the Illuminator for the left altar. Donated.

4.  Painting of St. James of Nisibis. $1000, not pledged.

5.  Painting of St. Stephen the Protodeacon. $1000, not pledged.

6. Curtain for the vestry and choir rooms. Donated.

7.  Priest's 'half-vestments'. $500 - not pledged.

8.  Set of a Chalice Veil and a Sadarium (linen-holder) for the Gospel book. $150- not pledged.

9. Twelve children's albs- shabeeg. $100 each. Pledged

10. Large silver Hand-cross. Donated

11. Censer stand- $300, not pledged

 

 

Sunday School's Wish List

1.   Cabinet for storage of books and supplies. Not pledged.

2.   Room furniture for students and teachers. Not pledged.


St James steeple
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FEASTS

 

January 13 - Feast of Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ

January 14 Feast of the Birth of St. John the Forerunner (Baptist)

January 16 - Commemoration of the Patriarch St. Peter, Bishop St. Vlas and Deacon Abisolom

January 18 - Commemoration of the Hermits St. Triphon, St. Parsam and St. Vonoprios

ANNUAL NATIVITY APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
 

SUNDAY

January 12, 2014

12:00 noon 

 

Click here for details.

REMEMBERING HRANT DINK


Sunday, January 19

Hokehankisd and 
Program after Divine Liturgy 
ST. JAMES ARMENIAN CHURCH ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY
 

JANUARY 26, 2014

 

12:30 PM

 

WOMEN'S GUILD AND CULTURAL COMMITTEE OF ST. JAMES
present

"The Image and Importance of Armenian Women in Arts"

Lecture and Slideshow 

 

 by Professor Levon Chookaszian

Armenian Art Historian and the UNESCO Chair of Armenian Art History 

 


Sunday, February 2, 2014

1:00 PM


SOCIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE 
OF ST. JAMES

cordially invites to Its

1st ANNUAL SUPER BOWL PARTY
 
Sunday, February 2, 2014

Pre-Game Social: 4:00 PM

Kickoff: 5:30 PM

 

Donation: $20/Person

Includes Savory and Sweet Buffet & Non-Alcoholic Drinks

BYOB


RSVP Gevik Anbarchian at gevsan@yahoo.com

 or (773) 490-6490 

by January 27 

to make reservations.

2014 PILGRIMAGE TO HISTORIC ARMENIA

The Eastern Diocese will sponsor a pilgrimage to historic Armenia, from September 3 to 15, 2014.

Click here to view a flyer for registration information. To view a short film about the Diocese's 2012 pilgrimage to historic Armenia, click here.
WORSHIP SERVICES 
AT ST. JAMES
 
In addition to Sunday Morning Service and Divine Liturgy there will be
Saturday Evening (Kirakamtits) Service every first Saturday of the month at 5 pm (Feb. 1, March 1) and
Midday Service every third Thursday of the month 
(Jan. 16, Feb. 20). 
SUNDAY BULLETIN
(pdf)

E-BULLETIN ARCHIVE IS NOW AVAILABLE

Missed or accidentally deleted any of the previous E-Bulletins? 
You can read all our previous issues in the archive here.
PARKING ON SUNDAYS

Parking is FREE on Saturdays and Sundays at the large condominium building at Clark & Benson (Quartet Copies). Enter the garage from Benson street.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS AT ST. JAMES


January 12

January 15

January 16 

January 19

January 26

January 29

February 1

February 2

February 2

February 9

February 16 

February 20

March 1

March 1 

March 2

April 13

April 20

Blessing of the Water and Theophany Appreciation Luncheon

Online Bible Study

Midday Hour (12:00 Noon) 

In Memory of Hrant Dink

Parish Assembly (snow day February 9)

Online Bible Study

Vespers (Kirakamtits)

Presentation by Professor Levon Chookaszian

Super Bowl Party 

Diocesan Camp Sunday

Blessing of Newlywed Couples

Midday Hour (12:00 Noon) 

Vespers (Kirakamtits)

Poon Paregentan Dance

Poon Paregentan Sunday. Mascarade

Palm Sunday

Easter Sunday

PLEASE SIGN UP FOR A COFFEE HOUR
 

Coffee hour tables can be simple or complex.  Sometimes when people do a coffee hour table they put out coffee cakes and doughnuts; sometimes they put out some fruits. Others put out entire lunch. We encourage you to sign up for coffee hour a couple of times each year. It can be simple or an entire meal - either is fine. The sign-up sheet is in the church hall.