Weekly Oshagan

May 5th, 2024, Newsletter of

St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles

Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian, Parish Priest

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Title: "Bearing the Cross: The Triumph of Resilience and Faith".

English Summary of Father Haroutioun Tachejian's sermon delivered on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at St. James.

Dear parishioners,

In the year 351, a profound event unfolded in the skies above Jerusalem, an event that would forever mark the significance of the Cross – the instrument of Christ's triumph over death and suffering. As St. Cyril, the Bishop of Jerusalem, narrated in his letter to Emperor Constantius, the Cross appeared in all its glory, stretching from Golgotha to the Mount of Olives, illuminating the heavens with its radiant light. This celestial manifestation was not merely a spectacle but a divine proclamation, heralding the victory of life over death, of glory over suffering.

The apparition of the Cross signifies a transformation, for it elevated the symbol of agony and defeat into a beacon of hope and triumph. No longer was the Cross a sign of misery; it became a testament to the power of God's triumph over evil.

As we adorn ourselves with crosses of gold and precious stones, as we elevate the Cross in procession or place it on the altar, we manifest the victory of the Cross. It is more than a mere crucifix; it is a declaration of Christ's victory over sin and death. Just as Christ endured suffering and rose victorious, so too do we face trials and tribulations in our journey. We are constantly engaged in a battle against evil, constantly falling and rising, yet always striving for victory.

The Armenian nation, throughout its tumultuous history, has embodied the spirit of the crossbearer. From the persecution of the early newly converted Armenian Christians to the horrors of the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian people have carried their cross with courage and resilience. Like Christ, they have faced suffering and death with unwavering faith, refusing to deny their Lord and Savior.

In the face of oppression and persecution, the Armenian people have found strength and solace in the symbol of the Cross. Just as Christ rose from death through divine power, so too have the Armenian people risen from the ashes of genocide, resilient in their faith and determined in their struggle for justice and recognition. St. John Chrysostom reminds us that "the Cross is the hope of Christians, the Cross is the resurrection of the dead, the Cross is the way of the lost, the Cross is the savior of the lost."

In commemorating the apparition of the Holy Cross, we are reminded of the enduring power of Christ's victory over death and suffering. Just as the Cross illuminated the skies of Jerusalem centuries ago, so too does it illuminate our hearts and minds today, guiding us through the darkness of this world towards the light of eternal life.

May we, the Armenian nation, embrace our crosses with courage and faith, knowing that through Christ, we too shall rise victorious. As we journey through life's trials and tribulations, let us cling գլին՜ to the promise of resurrection and eternal life, praying, "Raise us, O Lord, with you, from death to eternal life."

Glory be to the risen Christ. 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

Our Diocesan Delegation had an opportunity to attend the Assembly in Scottsdale, AZ. More to come soon - but photos are already available on the Diocesan Facebook page, a few choice photos shared here!

Follow along from today’s... - Western Diocese of the Armenian Church | Facebook

A Night to Ignite Change: Honoring the Akian Family

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce an upcoming event, A Night to Ignite Change: Honoring the Akian Family. Hosted by AUA supporters Vahe and Ruzan Kuzoyan, the event will benefit the University as it continues to expand, while also recognizing the Akian family’s generous contributions to AUA over many decades, highlighting the transformative power of change and the family’s impact on higher education in Armenia.

Taking place on Saturday, May 18, 2024, the function will be held at the beautiful Kuzoyan residence, which will serve as a fitting backdrop for a night of elegance, impact, and celebration. The event will feature two alumni emcees, Anna Bakunts (MBA ’11) and Hayk Mamajanyan (LLM ’12), and several esteemed guest speakers, each recognized as AUA Changemakers for their remarkable contributions to their respective fields: Sharon Anoush Chekijian, M.D., MPH, Yale University School of Medicine; Vahan Janjigian, Ph.D., chief investment officer, Greenwich Wealth Management, LLC; Christine Soussa, global client director, Equinix; and Lilit Yenokyan, director of engineering, Roku. The evening’s musical performances will include notable Armenian artists Vardan Ovsepian and Christine Pepelyan.

“We are grateful to the Kuzoyan and Akian families for their commitment to AUA and their shared vision of empowering Armenia’s future generations,” comments Vice President of Development Gaiane Khachatrian, adding, “This event not only celebrates their kindness and generosity, but also serves as testament to the enduring power of philanthropy and its impact on higher education and society in Armenia as a whole.”

The 200 Changemakers of AUA campaign aims to bring together a group of visionary philanthropists who embrace change and join AUA on the path to achieving our vision of building a stronger, more resilient, and globally competitive Armenia. Through such initiatives, the University is able to nurture the next generation of leaders and change agents who will drive positive change in Armenia and beyond.

As AUA Changemakers themselves, Vahe and Ruzan look forward to following the continued progress of the campaign and witnessing the benefits the students reap from it. “We see firsthand the impact AUA has on Armenia’s ability to produce talent based on the alumni hired at ServiceTitan’s Yerevan office. We are big believers in AUA’s mission and want to inspire others,” they comment.

For tickets and more information, visit https://changemakers.aua.am/ignite-change/

Campership Application Here:

https://forms.gle/EwaKHbeBR79J1Ugu8

Կիրակի, Մայիս 5, 2024

Ս. Պատարագ  - Ժամը  10:30ին

Ս. Հաղորդութիւն - Ժամը  11:45ին

Քարոզ - Ժամը  12:00ին

Հոգեհանգստեան Պաշտօն - Ժամը  12:15ին

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Divine Liturgy - 10:30 am

Holy Communion - 11:45am

Sermon - 12:00 pm

Requiem Service   - 12:15 pm

ՍՈՒՐԲ ԳՐԱՅԻՆ ԸՆԹԵՐՑՈՒՄՆԵՐ

ԿԻՐԱԿԻ , Մայիս 5, 2024

ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆ ԸՍՏ ՅՈՎՀԱՆՆՈՒ 9:39-10:10

Յիսուս ըսաւ.

– Դատաստան ընելու եկայ այս աշխարհը, որպէսզի չտեսնողները տեսնեն եւ անոնք որ կը տեսնեն՝կուրնան:

Փարիսեցիներէն ոմանք, որ շուրջն էին, լսեցին ասիկա եւ հարցուցին.

– Արդեօք մե՞նք ալ կոյր ենք:

Յիսուս անոնց պատասխանեց.

– Եթէ կոյր ըլլայիք՝ մեղք պիտի չունենայիք. բայց քանի կ’ըսէք թէ կը տեսնէք, կը նշանակէ՝ թէ ձերմեղաւոր ըլլալը կը հաստատէք:

– Հաստատ գիտցէք, ան որ ոչխարներուն փարախը  դռնէն չի մտներ, այլ ուրիշ տեղէ կը մագլցի, անիկա գող է եւ աւազակ. իսկ ան որ դռնէն կը մտնէ, անիկա ոչխարներուն հովիւն է: Դռնապանըդուռը կը բանայ անոր, եւ ոչխարները իր ձայնին կը հետեւին: Իրենց անուններով կը կանչէ իրոչխարները եւ դուրս կը տանի զանոնք: Եւ երբ իր ոչխարները դուրս կը հանէ՝ ի՛նք կ’առաջնորդէ, եւոչխարները կը հետեւին իրեն, որովհետեւ իր ձայնը կը ճանչնան: Օտարին չեն հետեւիր. ընդհակառակը, կը փախչին անկէ, որովհետեւ օտարներուն ձայնը չեն ճանչնար:

Յիսուս այս առակը խօսեցաւ անոնց, սակայն անոնք չհասկցան թէ ի՛նչ ըսել կ’ուզէր իրենց: ՈւստիՅիսուս կրկին ըսաւ անոնց.

– Հաստատ գիտցէք, թէ ե՛ս եմ ոչխարներուն դուռը: Բոլոր անոնք որոնք ինձմէ առաջ եկան, գող էին եւաւազակ. բայց ոչխարները անոնց չհետեւեցան: Ե՛ս եմ դուռը: Ով որ ինձմէ անցնելով ներս մտնէ՝պիտի փրկուի. պիտի մտնէ եւ ելլէ եւ ճարակ գտնէ: Գողը կու գայ միայն գողնալու, սպան­նելու եւփճացնելու համար: Ես եկայ՝ որպէսզի կեանք ունենան, եւ լեցուն կեանք ունենան:

ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼՆԵՐՈՒ ԳՈՐԾԵՐԸ 20:17-38

Միլետոսէն Պօղոս լուր ղրկեց Եփեսոս եւ եկեղեցւոյ երէցները իր քով կանչեց: Երբ անոնք եկան, ըսաւանոնց.

– Դուք անձամբ գիտէք, թէ Ասիա գալուս առաջին օրէն ի վեր ի՛նչպէս վարուեցայ ձեզի հետ, ամբողջայս ժամանակամիջոցին: Ամենայն խոնարհութեամբ եւ յաճախ արցունքով ծառայեցի Տիրոջ, Հրեաներուն նիւթած բոլոր փորձութիւնները կրելով: Գիտէք, թէ բնաւ չքաշուեցայ ձեզմէ, օգտակարբաներու մասին խօսեցայ եւ սորվեցուցի ձեզի, հրապարակաւ ըլլայ թէ տուներու մէջ: Թէ՛ Հրեաներունեւ թէ՛ հեթանոսներուն տուի նոյն վկայութիւնը եւ պատգամը՝ ապաշխարութեամբ Աստուծոյդառնալու եւ մեր Տիրոջ Յիսուս Քրիստոսի հաւատալու:

Հիմա, ահաւասիկ, Սուրբ Հոգիին մղումով Երուսաղէմ կ’երթամ: Չեմ գիտեր թէ հոն ի՛նչ պիտիպատահի ինծի: Միայն գիտեմ, թէ ամէն մէկ քաղաքի մէջ Սուրբ Հոգին կ’ազդարարէ ինծի, ըսելով թէբանտարկութիւն եւ նեղութիւն կը սպասեն ինծի: Բայց հոգս չէ. ինծի համար կարեւորը կեանքս չէ, այլ՝ կ’ուզեմ ուրախութեամբ իր վախճանին հասցնել սկսած գործս, այն պաշտօնը որ Տէր Յիսուստուաւ ինծի՝ Աստուծոյ շնորհքը աւետարանելու:

Հիմա գիտեմ, թէ այսուհետեւ պիտի չտեսնէք զիս: Եկայ ձեզի բոլորիդ, շրջեցայ եւ Աստուծոյարքայութիւնը քարոզեցի, եւ ահաւասիկ կը յայտարարեմ այսօր՝ թէ խիղճս հանդարտ է, որովհետեւառանց քաշուելու յայտնեցի ձեզի Աստուծոյ կամքը: Հսկեցէ՛ք ձեր անձերուն եւ ձեր ամբողջ հօտին, որուն տեսուչ կարգեց ձեզ Սուրբ Հոգին: Հովուեցէ՛ք Տիրոջ եկեղեցին, որ ան իր արիւնով գնեց: Որովհետեւ գիտեմ, թէ իմ մեկնումէս ետք յափշտակիչ գայլեր պիտի մտնեն ձեր մէջ, որոնք պիտիչխնայեն հօտին: Ձեր մէջէն եւս պիտի ելլեն մարդիկ, որոնք սխալ բաներ պիտի ուսուցանեն, հաւատացեալները իրենց ետեւէն տանելու համար: Հետեւաբար արթո՛ւն եղէք, յիշեցէք թէ ի՛նչպէսերեք տարի անդադար, գիշեր ու ցերեկ, արցունքով խրատեցի իւրաքանչիւրդ: Եւ հիմա ձեզ կըյանձնեմ Աստուծոյ եւ իր շնորհքի Աւետարանին, որ կրնայ ձեզ հոգեւորապէս աճեցնել եւ իր բոլորսուրբերուն ժառանգակից դարձնել: Ոեւէ մէկուն արծաթին, ոսկիին կամ հագուստին չցանկացի: Դուք ինքնին գիտէք, թէ իմ այս ձեռքերովս շահեցայ եւ հոգացի թէ՛ իմ եւ թէ՛ ընկերակիցներուսպէտքերը: Եւ կեանքիս օրինակով ցոյց տուի՝ թէ այսպէս պէտք է աշխատիլ եւ տկարներուն օգնել, յիշելով այն խօսքը որ Տէր Յիսուս ինք ըսաւ, թէ՝ «Աւելի երջանկաբեր է տալը, քան առնելը»:

Իր խօսքը վերջացնելէ ետք, Պօղոս բոլորին հետ ծունկի եկաւ եւ աղօթեց: Բոլորը սկսան լալ եւՊօղոսի վիզին փաթթուելով կը համբուրէին զինք: Կը մորմոքէին մանաւանդ անոր համար, որ կ’ըսէր՝թէ այլեւս զինք պիտի չտեսնեն: Ապա անոր ընկերացան մինչեւ նաւ:

BIBLICAL READINGS

SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024

Acts 20:17-38 

From Miletus he sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church to meet him. When they came to him, he said to them:   

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the entire time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, enduring the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. I did not shrink from doing anything helpful, proclaiming the message to you and teaching you publicly and from house to house, as I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus. And now, as a captive to the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me. But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.   

“And now I know that none of you, among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom, will ever see my face again. Therefore I declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to warn everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothing. You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions. In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”   

When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with them all and prayed. There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again. Then they brought him to the ship.  

John 9:39-10:10 

Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.   

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.   

So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 

HOKEHANKIST REQUESTS:

SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024

Requested For:

ZABEL ZADOYAN - 40TH Day

Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother

Requested By:

Robert and Leslie Zadoyan - Son

Rita Chedotte - Daughter

Christine, Robert and Natalie Chedotte - Grandchildren

Liliana - Great Grandchild

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, April 28, 2024, to Friday May 3, 2024

We thank our faithful parishioners

for the generous donations and support of our church.

GENERAL DONATIONS

Week of April 28th to May 3, 2024

Gary and Nina Turpanjian

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

HOKEHAKIST DONATIONS

Sunday, April 28, 2024

For

Madeline and Charles Taylorson

By:

Mr. & Mrs. Craig and Janine Ahigian

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

"IN MEMORY OF" DONATIONS:

Are gratefully received

For:

Madeline and Charles Taylorson

By:

Margaret Der Sarkisian and Family

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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