Weekly Oshagan

June 30th, 2024, Newsletter of

St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles

Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian, Parish Priest

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Title: "The Divine Grace of Confession: Embracing God's Forgiveness and Mercy".

English Summary of Father Haroutioun Tachejian's sermon delivered on Sunday, June 23, 2024 at St. James.

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, today we gather to reflect on the profound and sacred sacrament of confession. As Armenian Orthodox Christians, we are blessed with the tradition of confessing our sins and receiving absolution through the priest, who acts in the name of our Lord. This practice is not merely a ritual but a divine ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ Himself. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells His disciples, "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 18:18). This commandment underlines the authority given to the Church and its ministers to forgive sins, bringing spiritual healing and reconciliation with God.

The Importance of Confession: Confession is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey. It allows us to acknowledge our shortcomings and sins, both to ourselves and before God. In doing so, we humble ourselves and open our hearts to God's grace and mercy. Through confession, we receive forgiveness and are restored to a state of grace, allowing us to grow in our relationship with God and with one another.

The Role of the Priest: The priest, acting in the person of Christ, hears our confessions and grants absolution. This role is deeply rooted in the authority given by Jesus to His disciples and, by extension, to the clergy of the Church. The priest, through the power of the Holy Spirit, absolves us of our sins, offering God's forgiveness and helping us to realign our lives with His will.

The Ritual of Confession: Now, let us delve into the beautiful and solemn ritual of confession as practiced in our Armenian Apostolic Church. The following is the dialogue between the celebrant priest, the presiding priest, and the altar servers, with commentary to deepen our understanding.

Celebrant Priest: Confession "I confess before God and before the holy Mother of God and before all the saints and before you (fathers and brothers), all the sins that I have committed; for I have sinned in thought, word, and deed and with all the sins that men commit. I have sinned, I have sinned; I pray you, ask of God forgiveness for me."

Commentary: The celebrant priest begins by confessing his sins, acknowledging the presence of God, the holy Mother of God, the saints, and the congregation. This act of confession is comprehensive, covering sins of thought, word, and deed. It underscores the universal nature of sin and the need for forgiveness from God. The repeated admission, "I have sinned," emphasizes the sincerity and depth of the priest's repentance. By asking the faithful to pray for his forgiveness, the priest highlights the communal aspect of our faith, where we support one another in seeking God's mercy.

Presiding Priest: "May God the almighty have mercy on you and grant you forgiveness of all your transgressions of the past and the present. May He deliver you from those that are to come, confirm you in all good works, and give you rest in the life of the age to come. Amen."

Commentary: The presiding priest responds with a prayer for God's mercy and forgiveness. This prayer covers past and present transgressions and seeks deliverance from future sins. It also asks for God's confirmation in good works, emphasizing the transformative power of forgiveness. The final blessing, "give you rest in the life of the age to come," assures the penitent of eternal peace and salvation. This prayer reflects the comprehensive nature of God's forgiveness, which not only cleanses us from sin but also strengthens us to live virtuously.

Celebrant Priest: "May God, who loves mankind, also set you free and may He remit all your transgressions. May He give you time to repent and to do good works. May He also direct your life in the time to come by the grace of the Holy Spirit, the mighty and the merciful, and to Him be glory forever. Amen."

Commentary: The celebrant priest now prays for the presiding priest and the congregation. This reciprocal prayer highlights the mutual need for forgiveness and God's grace. The prayer requests God's help in repentance and good works, underscoring the ongoing process of conversion and sanctification. It acknowledges the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering us to live according to God's will. The closing doxology, "to Him be glory forever," reminds us that all forgiveness and grace ultimately glorify God.

The Altar Servers: "Remember us also before the immortal Lamb of God."

Commentary: The altar servers, representing the faithful, humbly ask to be remembered in the prayers before Christ, the Lamb of God. This request signifies the interconnectedness of the Church, where every member supports and prays for one another.

Celebrant Priest: "You will be remembered before the immortal Lamb of God."

Commentary: The celebrant priest assures the altar servers and the congregation that they will be remembered in his prayers. This affirmation reinforces the communal and intercessory nature of our faith, where we continually lift each other up before God.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the sacrament of confession is a profound and essential aspect of our spiritual lives. It is a gift from God, offering us the opportunity to seek His mercy, receive His forgiveness, and be restored to a state of grace. Through the ministry of the priest, we are assured of God's pardon and are strengthened to live lives that reflect His love and holiness. Let us embrace this sacrament with sincere hearts, trusting in the boundless mercy of our Lord, and supporting one another in our journey toward eternal life. Amen.

PASTORAL/RITUAL SERVICES

Ձեր Խորհրդակատարութիւններուն, Տնօրհնէքի, հիւանդի այցելութեան եւ այլ խնդրանքներուն համար

դիմեցէք Եկեղեցի (323) 295 4588

կամ հեռացայնեցէք Տէր Յարութիւննին (818) 649-4796

For the arrangement of sacramental services, home visitation, home blessing or healing prayers, and Holy Communion, 

please call the church office at (323) 295-4588 

or Fr. Haroutioun directly at (818) 649-4796

Ladies Auxiliary~Debutante Ball

For nearly 50 years, the Debutante Ball, presented by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Western Diocese, has been a cherished tradition in our Armenian community, celebrating family and heritage. This magical evening, featuring Armenian and American music, delicious food, and fun for all ages, is a wonderful opportunity for high school juniors, seniors, and early college students to meet new friends. 

The Ladies Auxiliary members will be hosting an informational Debutante Ball Mother-Daughter Luncheon on August 24, 2024, at the Wilshire Country Club. If you would like to receive an invitation to learn more about the 2025 Debutante Ball, please contact Audrey Matoesian by August 12th at amatoesian@gmail.com.

Կիրակի, Յունիս 30, 2024

Ս. Պատարագ  - Ժամը  10:30ին

Ս. Հաղորդութիւն - Ժամը  11:45ին

Քարոզ - Ժամը  12:00ին

Հոգեհանգստեան Պաշտօն - Ժամը  12:15ին

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Divine Liturgy - 10:30 am

Holy Communion - 11:45am

Sermon - 12:00 pm

Requiem Service   - 12:15 pm

ՍՈՒՐԲ ԳՐԱՅԻՆ ԸՆԹԵՐՑՈՒՄՆԵՐ

ԿԻՐԱԿԻ , Յունիս 30, 2024

Ե. ԿԻՐԱԿԻ ՀՈԳԵԳԱԼՈՒՍՏԷՆ ԵՏՔ 

ՏՕՆ ԱՍՏՈՒԱԾԱՄՕՐ ՏՈՒՓԻ ԳԻՒՏԻՆ 

ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆ ԸՍՏ ՄԱՏԹԷՈՍԻ13։24-30

Յիսուս ուրիշ առակ մըն ալ խօսեցաւ անոնց ու ըսաւ.

– Մարդ մը լաւ սերմեր ցանեց իր արտին մէջ: Գիշեր մը, երբ ամէն մարդ քնացած էր, անոր թշնամինեկաւ եւ որոմ ցանեց ցորենին մէջ ու գնաց: Երբ սերմերը աճեցան եւ սկսան հասկ կազմել, այն ատենորոմն ալ երեւցաւ: Տանտիրոջ ծառաները եկան եւ ըսին անոր. «Տէ՛ր, դուն միայն լաւ սերմերչցանեցի՞ր արտիդ մէջ. ուրկէ՞ հապա եկաւ որոմը»: Անիկա պատասխանեց. «Ասիկա թշնամի մարդուգործ է»: Ծառաները ըսին. «Կ’ուզե՞ս որ երթանք եւ որոմը քաղենք»: «Ո՛չ,- պատասխանեց տէրը,-որպէսզի չըլլայ թէ որոմը քաղած ատեն ցորենն ալ միասին արմատախիլ ընէք: Ձգեցէք որ երկուքնալ միասին աճին մինչեւ հունձքի ժամանակը. այն ատեն հնձուորներուն կ’ըսեմ.- Նախ որոմըքաղեցէք, խուրձեր կազմեցէք այրելու համար, եւ ապա քաղեցէք ցորենը եւ ամբարեցէքշտեմարաններուս մէջ»: 

ՆԱՄԱԿ ՀՌՈՄԱՅԵՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ 9։30-10։4



Ուրեմն ի՞նչ կ’եզրակացնենք: Հեթանոսները, որոնք Աստուծոյ արդարութեան չէին հետեւեր՝արդարացան, որովհետեւ Քրիստոսի հաւատացին. մինչդեռ Իսրայէլի ժողովուրդը չարդարացաւՄովսէսի Օրէնքին միջոցաւ, որ տրուած էր՝ մարդիկը արդարացնելու համար: Ինչո՞ւ: Որովհետեւչհաւատաց Քրիստոսի, եւ կը կարծէր թէ Օրէնքին գործադրութեամբը պիտի արդարանայ: Ատիկաիսկ պատճառ եղաւ որ գլորին «գայթակղութեան առիթ հանդիսացող քար»ին վրայ, այսինքն՝Քրիստոսի, որուն համար մարգարէութեան մէջ գրուած է.-

«Ահա ես Սիոնի մէջ կը դնեմ քար մը՝

որ գլորումի առիթ պիտի ըլլայ, ժայռ մը՝

որ գայթակղութեան առիթ պիտի հանդիսանայ:

Բայց անոր հաւատացողը յուսախաբ պիտի չըլլայ»:

Եղբայրնե՛ր, սրտանց կը մաղթեմ եւ կ’աղօթեմ որ Աստուած փրկէ Իսրայէլացիները, որովհետեւկրնամ իրենց մասին վկայել, թէ Աստուծոյ հանդէպ նախանձախնդիր են. միայն թէ այսնախանձախնդրութիւնը հիմնուած չէ Աստուծոյ ճշմարիտ ծանօթութեան վրայ: Անոնք չհասկցան, թէԱստուած ի՛նչ ձեւով կ’ուզէր արդարացնել մարդիկը: Արդարանալու իրենց հասկցած ձեւինկառչեցան եւ ուստի չընդունեցին Աստուծոյ արդարութեան ուղին: Մինչդեռ Քրիստոսով Օրէնքը իրվախճանին հասած է եւ միայն Քրիստոսի հաւատացողը կ’արդարանայ:

BIBLICAL READINGS

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2024

Romans 9:30-10:4 

What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law. Why not? Because they did not strive for it on the basis of faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “See, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make people stumble, a rock that will make them fall, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”  

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.  

Matthew 13:24-30 

He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from? He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” 

SAVE THE DATE

SUNDAY, JULY 7, 2024

After Church Services

Dulgarian Hall

For an afternoon of

complimentary Potluck lunch, fun and games

HOKEHANKIST REQUESTS:

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Requested For:

EDWARD ROUPINIAN - 5TH Year

Requested By:

The Roupinian and

Avedissian Family

St. James Ladies Society

Last Sunday, JUNE 23rd we prayed for

Hokehankist Requests that were not listed in the Sunday Weekly Oshagan for:

YEZEKEL INDJIAN - 6th Year

Husband, Father

HOKEHANKIST DONATIONS RECEVIED FOR:

JUNE 23, 2024

For:

MONIQUE DER DAVIDIAN

By:

Margheret Markarian

Hayganoush Der Davidian & Family

Hratch & Eglantine Karaguozian, Khatchik & Janet Hairabedian,

Mrs. Victoria Hairabedian

Anahid & Ohannes Sousanian

Varouj and Rita Takvorian & Family

For:

YEZEKEL INDJIAN

By:

Azadouhie Indjian - Wife

Mr. & Mrs. Abraham Indjian & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Sebouh Indjian & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Raffi Indjian & Family

To Request a Hokehankist:

For any Requiem (Hokehankist) service requests,

please contact the church secretary

by Noon time on WEDNESDAY

to be included in Sunday’s bulletin.

The secretary may be reached at

secretary@stjamesla.net or by calling +1(323) 295-4588.

Walk-in requests are welcomed on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM. The information will be listed in the following Sunday’s bulletin.

THANK YOUS AND DONATIONS

Sunday, June 23, 2024, to Friday June 28, 2024

We thank our faithful parishioners

for the generous donations and support of our church.

GENERAL DONATIONS

Week of June 23rd to June 28th, 2024

Dr. Anita Agzarian & Gus Rendon

Ohannes Beudjekian

Gary & Nina Turpanjian

*****************************************

DONATION "IN LIEU OF FLOWERS"

is gratefully received

For:

HELEN KASPARIAN

By:

Mr. & Mrs. Jeu Foon

Gabriel & Stephanie Goshtigian

Patrick & Mary Goshtigian

****************************************

DONATION "IN MEMORY OF"

is gratefully received

For:

HELEN KASPARIAN

By:

Christine Hovey Hallaian

*************************************

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ST. JAMES OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday

9 AM to 1 PM

2 PM to 5 PM

The office is closed for lunch between 1-2 PM

Monday through Friday