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SUNDAY, September 29, 2013
Feast of The Holy Cross of Varak
Morning Service - 9:15 AM
Divine Liturgy- 10:00 AM
Scripture readings:
Proverbs 3:18-26
Isaiah 65:22-25
Galatians 6:14-18
Matthew 24:30-36
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Feast of the Cross of Varak
According to the historian Agathangelos, St. Hripsime and her companions, running away from the Roman Emperor Dioklethianos, who started persecutions against Christians, reach to Armenia and find shelter in Vagaharshapat. However, before reaching Vagharshapat they stop at the Mountain Varak, which is to the southeast from the Lake Van. Taking off from her neck the relic of the Lord's Wooden Cross, St. Hripsime gives it to the praying monks living on the mountain and asks them to preserve it in one of the caves. Thus, the sacred relic remains hidden till the seventh century.
In 653 A. D. the monk Todik and his disciple Hovel pray at the Mountain Varak and ask God to show the place of the relic. Suddenly 12 bright columns appear around the mountain and the sign of the Cross is seen among the columns. For 12 days the bright columns remain visible even from distant sites. This joyful news spreads everywhere.
Nerses the Creator Catholicos who was the Catholicos of All Armenians of that period, and Captain Vard, son the Knight Theodoros, learning about that miracle, go the Mountain Varak to personally witness it. With the support of the Armenian people the Pontiff builds a magnificent church, which in honor of the miracle is named Holy Cross Church. The Pontiff Nerses also writes the marvelous church hymn "By means of the most powerful sign", which is sung in the churches on the day of the feast.
The sacred relic remains at the Mountain Varak till 1021 A. D. Later the Armenian King Senekerim Artsrouni brings the relic to Sebastia. After the latter's death the relic is again transferred to its old place and remains there until 1651 A. D. when the relic is taken to Khoshab. In 1655 A. D. the relic is placed in the Church of Holy Godmother, in Van, which is renamed to Church of Holy Sign. The relic was preserved there till 1915 A. D.
In later years the Monastery bec
ame prominent when Khrimian Hayrik established a printing house (Its first publication was Artsiv Vaspurakan.) and a school there hoping to make the monastery an educational center.
On April 30, 1915, the Turkish army destroyed the monastery during the siege of Van as part of the Armenian Genocide; its ruins are still visible, though.
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COMMEMORATION OF CHRIST'S SEVENTY-TWO DISCIPLES
 Besides the 12 Apostles, Jesus also had 72 disciples, whom he sent to "preach the Good News to all nations". Unfortunately, those disciples' names are not mentioned in the Gospels. In the New Testament the word "disciple" is used of the followers of the Jesus Christ. Christ sent out his apostles and disciples "like lambs among wolves" two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go, saying them: "Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me..." (Luke 10:16). There are hardly any differences between the 12 apostles and the 72 disciples, they have the same power and authority and the same mission (Luke 10:9; 9:1). However, the names of all 72 disciples, like the names of the 40 innocent children martyred in Bethlehem, are known to God only and are written in the sacred book of the Heavenly Kingdom. |
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Living the Gospel of Christ: Who Do You Say I Am?
A Six-Session Bible Study
This year's Diocesan theme is Living the Gospel of Christ . The ultimate goal of this series of six Bible studies lies in knowing, understanding and doing as Christ prescribed through his actions and teaching as depicted in the Gospels. This series will also help us to understand both who Christ is and His Message.
As always you can either join Der Hayr at St. James or participate online on the following Wednesdays:
October 9, October 23, November 6, November 20, December 4 at 8 pm.
You need to download an application on your computer to be able to participate online.
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New Educational Program for Teenagers at St. James
The St. James Christian Education Committee would like to invite teenage parishioners between the ages of 13-19 to participate in a pilot educational program this fall. The program is a two-session seminar on
THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
and October 19 from 9:30-1:30
on Morality and Moral Choice
and Mercy and Forgiveness
. The seminar will be led by Parish Council member Gevik Anbarchian, a high school English teacher, and Der Hovhan. The focus of the program is to fuse Christian teaching with academics, including Armenian writers and artists, in an effort to help impressionable youth critically examine their lives at a time when they are most unsure about religious and philosophical matters. Look for a formal invitation in your home mailbox.
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St. James School of Cooking
Do you have a favorite Armenian dish that reminds you of Grandma or your mother? Do you wish you could make them? Well stop wishing and come join our classes and learn how to make them yourself and treat your family to your favorite dishes. It is your turn to make memories! Come join us!
When: Classes will meet on Saturday once a month.
THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, October 12, 2013, November 2, 2013
December 7, 2013, January 4, 2014, February 2, 2014
Time: 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Where: St. James Armenian Church (816 Clark Street, Evanston, IL)
For more information call Kary Valenziano 847-687-2526
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Photo of the Week
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His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia
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FEASTS
September 30
Commemoration of St. Davit of Dvin and Saint Martyrs Dambeos and Dambeuhie
October 1
Commemoration of St. Eustatheos, his Wife Theophista and their two sons, and the Virgins Yermone and Nektarine
October 3
Commemoration of Princes St. Sahag and Hamazasp Artsrounie
October 5
Commemoration of Christ's seventy-two Disciples
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ST. JAMES WELCOMES UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Divine Liturgy
Luncheon
Fellowship
Come and make new friends
at St. James!
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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 (Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7) and
Midday Service every third Thursday of the month (Oct. 17, Nov. 21, Dec. 20). Midday Service will be followed by the " Lunchtime at St. James" program.
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DEACON TRAINING AND ACOLYTE CLASSES
Deacon Training
(For ordained acolytes and Altar servers)
October 5th 4-5 PM
November 2nd 4-5 PM
December 7th 4-5 PM
*******
Acolyte Training
(For first time Altar servers, 9-13)
Dates will be announced as soon as the group is formed.
If you have a son who would like to begin serving at the Altar
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FRIDAY NIGHT @ ST. JAMES
Starting October 2013 we will be offering movies, news from Armenia and an opportunity to socialize every Friday night at 7 pm in Nishian Hall. On Friday, October 4, we will show the documentary movie "My Armenia" (in English) preceded by news from Armenia in English and Armenian.
All are welcomed.
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SAVE THE DATE!!!
ACYOA JR. GATHERING
AND LOCK-IN
Saturday, October 26-
Sunday, October 27
Jennifer Morris (Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Diocese) will join us for a weekend of prayer, learning and fun.
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ARMENIAN TRADITIONAL MADAGH
Sunday, October 27th, 2013
Nishan Hall
after Divine Liturgy
The Parish Council of St James invites all parishioners to come and celebrate
the completion of the building repairs.
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PAREV MONTHLY'S 18th ANNIVERSARY
Celebrate Parev Monthly's 18th year anniversary with Onnik Dinkjian, John Berberian, Ara Dinkjian, Mal Barsamian, and Jason Naroian LIVE in concert!
Saturday, October 19, 2013 @ 7:30 pm Assyrian Community Center 9131 Niles Center Rd Skokie, IL General Admission: $35*
Age 6-15 Admission: $15*
*Admission tickets do not include dinner. Dinner sold separately.
For tickets call: 847 965 4537
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HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR eScrip?
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That will cost you nothing. You do not need to spend extra money, yet you will make a contribution to your church.
Go to www.escrip.com to learn
more and to sign up.
It's FREE.
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CALL FOR PHOTOS
The Parish is looking for old photos for the website and archive.
Anything historical having to do with the Parish, Church Building, Church organizations and events or Armenian community in Evanston. We are also looking for photos of our past pastors. If you can help contact [email protected] or 847-864-6263.
Your photos will be scanned and immediately returned.
Help us Celebrate the Parish 70 year anniversary!
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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 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. |
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