SUNDAY, July 27, 2014
Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM
Bible Readings: Wisdom of Solomon 7:25-8:4, Zechariah 14:16-21, 1 John 1:1-7,
Matthew 16:13-17:13
Andastan- Blessing of the World
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Feast of the Transfiguration
 The Name of the Feast
The full name of the Feast of Transfiguration is "The Feast of the Brilliant Form of Christ Our God on Mount Tabor." The Armenian term for Transfiguration is Aylagerbootiun. The Feast is also called Vartavar ("The Feast of Roses").
The Bible and the Feast
The Feast of Transfiguration is the mid-summer celebration of the Theophany- Christ's Revelation on Mount Tabor. The Gospel of the day proclaims, "He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as radiant and shining as the light" (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter, 1:16-18).
Origins and History of the Feast
Ancient people came to understand that the sun was at its highest point at a certain time of the year, which they called "mid-summer." It was at mid-summer when the sun was the most brilliant and the rays shone the brightest. The days were the long and warm allowing man to labor longer hours to plant the food that he would collect during the harvest. Thus, in many societies, spirituality and spiritual celebrations were formed to honor mid-summer.
The history of the Feast of the Transfiguration is rooted in the summer solstice feasts of antiquity honoring of such gods and goddesses as Mithra, Zoroaster and Anahid. In the case of Anahid, the goddess of fertility, specifically, it was said that wherever she walked roses grew. Her mid-summer feast was called Vartavar -day of roses-and people threw water on one another as a sign of fertility.
The first Armenian Christians in 34 AD saw in Jesus Christ the fulfillment of their spirituality. He was the true "Light of the world" (John 1:12), "By whom the sun shall appear to us from on high to give light to our darkness and to make light dawn upon them that sat in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the ways of peace" (Luke 1 :69-79). Thus, "Christ is the true summer Sun" (Matthew 17:2), "Whose brilliant love shines upon us. Jesus is the source of living water which gives eternal life" (John 4:10, 13 and 7:37-39). Saint Gregory the Enlightener, a direct successor the Holy Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew, Christianized the celebration of mid-summer by teaching the pagan Armenians to believe in Jesus Christ and to, "Give your roses to Christ and not to the filthy goddess Anahid."
The Meaning of the Feast
The Feast of the Transfiguration is the first great jubilee and daghavar (tabernacle) feast of the mystery of Jesus Christ after the Feast of His Marvelous and Wonderful Resurrection and the Feast of the Coming of the Holy Spirit. This Great and Holy Feast contemplates the transformation of Christ on Mount Tabor (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 2:8; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Pt 1; 16-18) and declares the revelation of the mystery of the eternal glory of Jesus as the divine Son of God. This post-Resurrection feast fulfills the coming of the Holy Spirit and the postponed understanding of Jesus' death, resurrection and glorification (Matthew 17:9 and Mark 9:9) and proclaims and celebrates the glorious transformation of the body and spirit of all the righteous and faithful at the Second Coming of Christ.
This Sunday
This Armenian mid-summer feast is a special time for our families to celebrate the grace and blessings of summer- the sun, mountains, water, roses-and of course the brilliant Theophany of the divinity of Christ and the harvest His blessings give us. The great Theophany, for which we prepare to celebrate, will be after our own resurrection at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ who will come in the Glory of the Father.
To learn more about this feast day, download the Diocese's Transfiguration iBook. It is packed with interactive features, including video, music, photo galleries, and more. A version of the book is also available for non-iPad users; click on the following links to view it in your browser or to download a PDF.
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Prayer of the Week
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Jesus, wisdom of the Father, give me the wisdom to think, to speak and to do what is good in Your eyes; keep me away from evil thoughts, words and deeds. Have mercy on Your creatures and especially on me, a great sinner.
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Articles Used in the Sanctuary
HOLY DOVE (AGHAVNEE)
The Holy Dove is used for blessings, confirmations, ordinations and consecrations. It is kept in the left hand niche and is covered by a transparent cloth. It holds the Holy Oil, Meuron, which is prepared by the Catholicos and Etchmiadzin approximately once every seven years. The Meuron is put in a cauldron and blessed by the Catholicos and other bishops using the holy relics among which are: the right arm of Saint Gregory the Illuminator; those of his two sons Saints Areesdages and Vertanes; the Holy Keghart, the spear that pierced Christ's side. The Meuron is then set upon the bema of Holy Etchmiadzin's main altar and remains there for forty days before it is ready to be sent to the various parishes around the world. It is made from forty different fragrant flowers and sweet oils and always some of the previous Meuron is added during the blessing.
INCENSE
Sweet-smelling incense is used in the church, usually frankincense. It represents our prayers going up to heaven.
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By Very Rev. Haigazoun Vartabed Melkonian.
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Let's Learn Armenian
Did You Know That...
The Badarak, not counting the priest's prayers, is about 4,700 words long, but has only 1,400 different roots, of which 200 constitute approximately 80% of the text. Եւ (Yev = and) is the most common word; it occurs 438 times and constitutes nearly 10% of the text. This means that if you knew only the word եւ , you'd already understand 1 out of every 10 words of the Mass. Moreover, if you knew only 200 words and their variants you would understand 8 out of every 10 words in the Mass.
Every week you can learn two of the 50 most commonly used words in the Badarak here:
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Armenian
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Phonetic
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English
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մարմին
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marmin
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body
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հաց
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hats
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bread
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Here are the words you have already learned:
եւ (yev), սուրբ (soorp), ի (ee),Տէր (der), Աստուած (Asdvadz), օրհնեա, օրհնեալ (օrhnya, orhnyal), ես, է (es, e), իմ (im), Քո, քեզ, դու (ko, kez, tu.), Ինք, իւր (ink, yur), մեր, մեք, մեզ (mer, mek, mez), հայր (hayr), որդի (vorti), հոգի (hoki), թող (togh), փորձութիւն (portsutyun), փրկեա, փրկիչ (prgya, prgich), արարիչ (araritch), չար (char), փառք ի բարցունս (park i partsuns), տուր, տայ (dur, da), խաչ (khach).
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Taste of Armenia offers business sponsorship opportunities
 This year we are offering business sponsorship opportunities at three levels with benefits to advertise and spotlight your enterprise to the nearly 2,000 residents and businesses in the area during 26th Annual St. James Taste of Armenia Street Fair which will take place on Sunday, August 24, 2014 from noon to 6:30 PM .
Proceeds from the event are not only used to maintain our church. St. James Armenian Church also contributes to orphanages in Armenia, donates to "Family Promise" in Evanston, and provides food to the homeless.
Click here for the letter for business owners.
Click here for the application form with details about the various advertising opportunities.
Click here for art-work requirements.
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Taste of Armenia Street Fair Restaurant Raffle
Along with the festivities at St. James Taste of Armenia Street Fair, this year we will hold our innovative raffle called the "Restaurant Raffle". One thousand dollars ($1,000) in restaurant gift certificates will be given away, including:
Brindille ($100), Trattoria #10 (2X $100), Sayat Nova ($100), Wildfire ($100), Union ($150), Dinotto Ristorante ($100), Siunik Armenian Grill ($150), and L. Woods ($100).
Raffle tickets are being offered for $5.00 each or 6 tickets for $25.00.
Click here for more information.
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Video of the Week
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Traditional Armenian Garments
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Altar Guild's Wish List
1. Two jajanch radiances (ostensorium). $300-600 each . Pledged.
2. Painting of St. James of Nisibis. $1000. Donated.
3. Painting of St. Stephen the Protodeacon. $1000. Not pledged.
4. Priest's 'half-vestments'. $500. Not pledged.
5. Censer stand. $400. 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.
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Calendar of Midwest Armenian Picnics
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August 3
August 3
August 9-10
August 15-17
August 17
August 24
September 7
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St. Mesrob Armenian Church (Racine, WI)
St. Paul Armenian Church (Waukegan, IL)
St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church (Chicago, IL)
All Saints Armenian Church (Glenview, IL)
St. George Armenian Church (Waukegan, IL)
St. James Armenian Church (Evanston, IL)
Knights of Vartan (Lincolnwood, IL)
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Calendar of worship services and events at St. James
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July 26
August 16
August 17
August 24
September 13
September 13
September 14
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Saturday Evening Service- Kirakamtits (5:00 PM)
Saturday Evening Service- Kirakamtits (5:00 PM)
Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God
Taste of Armenia Street Fair
Annual Church Family Picnic at Flick Park
Saturday Evening Service- Kirakamatits (5:00 PM)
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
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FEASTS
July 28 - Remembrance of the Dead
July 31 - Commemoration of the Prophet Isaiah
August 2 - Sts. Thaddeus the Apostle and Sandukht the Virgin
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HYE CAMP OPPENING DAY
SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2014
At CAMP HICKORY
(26202 West Nippersink Road,
Ingleside, IL 60041)
Opening Day Schedule
2:00 p.m. Arrival and Registration in the Main Lodge
4:30 p.m. Opening prayers and Welcome in the Soorp Harutyun Chapel for everyone.
5:00 p.m. Outdoor Dinner (free-will offering for non-campers).
6:00 p.m. Camper Orientation (Parents and guests depart).
All former and future Hye Campers, staff members, interested parents and friends of Hye Camp are invited to attend.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO SELENA!!!
Selena Groh finished first on the latest episode of the Teen Jeopardy Tournament Tuesday and she will appear again on July 29 at 2:30 on ABC7. |
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ST. JAMES ARMENIAN CHURCH AT THE EVANSTON FARMER'S MARKET
St. James Armenian Church will once again host a bake sale table at the Evanston Farmers' Market on Saturday, August 16 from 7:00 am to noon to promote the Taste of Armenia Festival the following weekend.
Please help staff the table for even an hour or two, then enjoy the bounty of fresh produce, food products, flowers and other items available at this top-rated market.
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AUGUST 24, 2014
Taste of Armenia
Big Raffle Tickets are available.
$100.00 per ticket.
For more information click here.
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BECOME A STEWARD
St. James' Stewardship Committee encourages you to become a steward. To date we have pledged only $23K. Please consider becoming a steward of St. James and help our parish meet its $50K goal for 2014.
Contact Parish Council Chair and Stewardship Committee Chair, Gevik Anbarchian, for additional information.
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ALTAR FLOWERS
Please consider donating flowers to adorn the Holy Altar. You may either bring flowers or make a monetary donation towards the purchase.
Sign-up sheet is in the Nishan Hall.
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SAVE THE DATE
ANNUAL CHURCH FAMILY PICNIC
SATURDAY, September 13, 2014
Details will follow.
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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.
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PARKING
Parking is FREE on Sundays at the parking garage on Maple street. Main entrance on Maple Avenue & Clark Street.
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