Weekly Oshagan

February 25th, 2024, Newsletter of

St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles

Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian, Parish Priest

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This Sunday of Great Lent takes its lesson from the “Parable of the Prodigal Son”—arguably the most concise, profound, and beautiful of our Lord’s statements on the nature of God’s love. The name for this Sunday is taken from the parable of our Lord Jesus Christ found in Luke 15:11-32. The parable is the story of a man and his two sons. The youngest of the sons asks his father to give him his inheritance. The father does this, and soon after the son leaves and journeys to a distant country (vv. 11-13).

After the younger son arrives, he squanders all of his possessions with “prodigal” living. Within a short period of time, he wastes everything. A severe famine comes, but he has nothing and falls into great need (vv. 13-14).

He is able to find work feeding swine, but this does not improve his situation. The Scriptures say, “He would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, but no one gave him anything” (vv. 15-16).

The parable says that in the midst of his dire conditions, he came to himself. He realized that his father’s hired servants have enough to eat and food to spare, while he perishes with hunger. He says, “I will arise and go to my father and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants’” (vv. 17-19).

He arose and returned to his father. But as he approached, his father saw him at a great distance. The father had compassion on his son, ran to meet him, embraced him, and kissed him. The son admitted his sinfulness and his unworthiness to be called a son, but in his joy at the return of his son, the father called his servants to bring the best robe, a ring for his son’s finger, and sandals for his feet. He also called for the fatted calf to be killed for a feast. He exclaimed, “For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (vv. 20-24).

While they were feasting and celebrating the return of the prodigal son, the older son comes and inquires about what is happening. He is told that his brother had returned and that his father has received him with a feast. The older brother becomes angry and will not go in to the feast. The father comes out and pleads with him, but the older son answers by saying he has been faithful to his father for many years and yet the father never gave him the opportunity for such feasting. He expresses his anger and jealousy over his brother who was received in such a manner after he squandered his inheritance (vv. 25-30).

The father responds by telling his oldest son, “You are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found” (vv. 31-32).

The parable of the Prodigal Son forms an exact icon of repentance at its different stages. Sin is exile, enslavement to strangers, hunger. Repentance is the return from exile to our true home; it is to receive back our inheritance and freedom in the Father’s house. But repentance implies action: “I will rise up and go…” (v. 18). To repent is not just to feel dissatisfied, but to make a decision and to act upon it.

In the words of our Lord, we also learn of three things through this parable: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God’s compassion.

Finally, this parable offers us insight into the world in which we live. It is a world where the activities of people are disconnected and not ordered toward the fulfillment of God’s divine purpose for life. It is a world of incoherent pursuits, of illusory strivings, of craving for foods and drinks that do not satisfy, a world where nothing ultimately makes sense, and a world engulfed in untruth, deceit and sin. It is the exact opposite of the world as created by God and potentially recreated by his Son and Spirit. There is no cure for the evils of our age unless we return to God. Our Heavenly Father is waiting and ready to receive us with His loving forgiveness and His saving embrace.

Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian

Last Sunday, known as Poon Paregentan, marked the beginning of the Great Lent. During Lent, the altar is covered with a dark curtain, reminding us of Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden, as told in the Bible (Genesis, Chapters 2 and 3).

We don't receive Holy Communion during the Liturgy in Lent. It's a time for us to reflect on our spiritual journey towards Easter and to repent for our sins. Through prayers and fasting, we try to please God and return to the sinless state of humanity.

Each Sunday during Lent has a specific theme. This Sunday is called the Sunday of the Expulsion (Ardaksman Giragi). It continues the theme from Poon Paregentan, focusing on Adam and Eve's fall from grace and their removal from Paradise. The hymns sung on these Sundays remind us of their expulsion and give hope that through repentance, we can become worthy again.

As we embark on our Lenten journey, let us draw wisdom from the teachings of the Early Church Fathers, who illuminate our path with their profound insights and unwavering faith.

Saint Augustine, a revered figure in Christian theology, reminds us of the transformative power of repentance: "God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination. These words echo the urgency of our spiritual renewal, urging us to seize the opportunity for repentance without delay.

Similarly, Saint John Chrysostom, known for his eloquent sermons, speaks of the significance of fasting: "Fasting is the change of every part of our life, because the sacrifice of the fast is not the abstinence but the distancing from sin." Through fasting, we not only abstain from physical nourishment but also distance ourselves from sinful inclinations, drawing closer to the divine.

In the words of Saint Isaac the Syrian, we find solace in the promise of divine mercy: "Be brave and try to detach your heart from worldly things. Do your utmost to banish darkness from your mind and come to understand what true, selfless piety is." Through detachment from worldly distractions, we open our hearts to receive the boundless grace of God.

As we journey through Lent, let us heed the wisdom of these venerable saints, embracing repentance, fasting, and prayer with sincerity and devotion. Let us strive to cultivate a spirit of humility and compassion, following in the footsteps of Christ.

In conclusion, may the words of the Early Church Fathers inspire and guide us on our Lenten pilgrimage. Let us approach this sacred season with hearts aflame with faith and love, knowing that through our spiritual disciplines, we draw nearer to the eternal embrace of our Heavenly Father.

May God bless us abundantly as we journey together towards the resurrection joy of Easter. Amen.

Baptismal Dove: Symbol of the Holy Spirit's Presence in the Armenian Apostolic Church

In the Armenian Apostolic Church, the baptismal dove is a symbol used during the sacrament of baptism. The dove is typically a small vessel or container, often made of metal or another durable material, which contains the Holy Chrism or Holy Oil Muron.

The Holy Oil Muron is a sacred oil used in various sacraments and rituals within the Armenian Apostolic Church, including baptism, confirmation, and the ordination of priests and bishops. It is consecrated by the Armenian Apostolic Church's Catholicos (supreme head) during a special ceremony that occurs approximately every seven years.

During the baptismal ceremony, the priest or bishop anoints the newly baptized individual with the Holy Oil Muron, typically using the baptismal dove to hold and dispense the oil. The use of the dove symbolizes the presence of the Holy Spirit, as it is often associated with the Spirit in Christian tradition, particularly in the account of Jesus' baptism in the New Testament.

The act of anointing with the Holy Oil Muron is symbolic of the individual receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and being welcomed into the community of believers. It is a significant moment in the life of a Christian, marking their initiation into the Church and their commitment to the Christian faith.

In summary, the baptismal dove in the Armenian Church serves as a vessel for holding the Holy Oil Muron, which is used during the sacrament of baptism to anoint and symbolically convey the presence of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized individual.

In heartfelt gratitude, we extend our sincerest thanks to Carl Papazian, a devoted teacher at St. James Sunday School and a dedicated member of our Youth Organization ACYO. Carl's selection as the Godfather of the baptismal water during the Armenian Christmas on January 6, 2024, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to our community. His sponsorship to repair and gild the aging baptismal dove showcases his generosity and dedication to our church. We are truly blessed to have him among us.

Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian

MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND SAVE THE DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY EVENINGS:

HUSGOOM LENTEN SERVICES AT 7:00 PM SCHEDULE:

Friday, March 1st

Friday, March 8th

Friday, March 15th

Ladies Society hosting refreshments after services.

Friday, March 22nd

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St. James 2023 Dues Paying Members:

PLEASE ATTEND!

ST. JAMES ARMENIAN CHURCH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2024

After Church Services in

Dulgarian Hall

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SAVE THE DATE!

ST. JAMES LADIES' SOCIETY

PRESENTS

LENTEN – MICHINK

LUNCHEON

When:         Sunday, March 10^th, 2024

Time:       Immediately after Church Services

Where: Gogian Hall, - (Large Hall)

Join us for an enjoyable Michink Luncheon

Tickets: Adult only $35.00 - Children only $15.00

For information and reservations please call:

Church Office: 323 295-4588 OR

Anahid Sousanian: 310 - 699-2112

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SAVE THE DATE!

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024

After Church Services

FREE LUNCH AND MOVIE:

"AMERIKATSI"

Hosted by:

ST. JAMES CHURCH

and

KNIGHTS OF VARTAN

Կիրակի, Փետրուար 25, 2024

Ս. Պատարագ - Ժամը 10:00ին

Արեւագալի Ժամերգութիւն 11:00ին

Քարոզ - Ժամը 11:45ին

Հոգեհանգստեան Պաշտօն - Ժամը 12:15ին

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Divine Liturgy at 10:00am

Sunrise Services (Arevakal) 11:00am

Sermon at 11:45am

Requiem Services at 12:15pm

ՍՈՒՐԲ ԳՐԱՅԻՆ ԸՆԹԵՐՑՈՒՄՆԵՐ

ԿԻՐԱԿԻ , ՓԵՏՐՈՒԱՐ 25, 2024

ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆ ԸՍՏ ՂՈՒԿԱՍՈՒ 15:1-32

Շատ մը մաքսաւորներ եւ մեղաւորներ Յիսուսի կու գային՝ զինք լսելու համար: Փարիսեցիներն ուՕրէնքի ուսուցիչները սկսան տրտնջալ, ըսելով.

– Ինչպէ՞ս կ’ըլլայ որ այս մարդը մեղաւորները կ’ընդունի եւ անոնց հետ կը ճաշէ:

Յիսուս հետեւեալ առակը պատմեց անոնց.

– Ենթադրենք որ ձեզմէ մէկը հարիւր ոչխար ունի: Երբ անոնցմէ մէկը կորսնցնէ, չի՞ ձգեր ինըսունինըոչխարները արօտավայրին մէջ եւ չ’ե՞րթար կորսուածին ետեւէն, մինչեւ որ գտնէ զայն: Եւ երբ գտնէ՝ուրախութեամբ իր ուսերուն վրայ կը դնէ ոչխարը եւ տուն կը դառնայ, կը կանչէ իր բարեկամներն ուդրացիները եւ կ’ըսէ անոնց. «Ուրախացէ՛ք ինծի հետ, որովհետեւ կորսուած ոչխարս գտայ»: Կ’ըսեմձեզի, երկինքի մէջ նոյնպէս ուրախութիւն պիտի ըլլայ մէկ ապաշխարող մեղաւորի համար, քանինըսունինը արդարներու համար, որոնք ապաշխարութեան պէտք չունին:

– Կամ ենթադրենք թէ կին մը տասը արծաթ դահեկան ունի: Երբ անոնցմէ մէկը կորսնցնէ, ճրագը չի՞վառեր եւ տունը ուշադրութեամբ չ’ա՞ւլեր, մինչեւ որ դահեկանը գտնէ: Եւ երբ գտնէ, կը կանչէ իրբարեկամուհիներն ու դրացիները եւ կ’ըսէ անոնց. «Ուրախացէ՛ք ինծի հետ, որովհետեւ կորսնցուցածդահեկանս գտայ»: Կ’ըսեմ ձեզի, Աստուծոյ հրեշտակները նոյն ձեւով պիտի ուրախանան մեղաւորիմը համար, որ կ’ապաշխարէ:

Ապա շարունակեց.

– Մարդ մը երկու որդի ունէր: Կրտսերը հօրը ըսաւ. «Հա՛յր, քու ստացուածքէդ ինծի ինկած բաժինըհիմա՛ տուր ինծի»: Եւ հայրը իր զաւակներուն միջեւ բաժնեց իր ունեցածը: Քանի մը օր ետք, կրտսերզաւակը առաւ իր ամբողջ հարստութիւնը եւ հեռու երկիր մը գնաց: Հոն անառակ կեանք մը ապրելով՝մսխեց հարստութիւնը եւ սպառեց իր ամբողջ ունեցածը:

Պատահեցաւ որ այդ երկրին մէջ մեծ սով մը տիրեց, երբ արդէն ինք սկսած էր աղքատանալ:  Ուստիգնաց այդ երկրի քաղաքացիներէն մէկուն քով ծառայ եղաւ, եւ անիկա իր ագարակը ղրկեց զինք՝խոզ արածելու համար: Նոյնիսկ պատրաստ էր խոզերուն կերած եղջիւրներէն իր փորը լեցնելու, սակայն ոչ ոք կու տար իրեն: Երբ անդրադարձաւ իր վիճակին, ինքնիրեն ըսաւ. «Հօրս տան մէջ քանի՜գործաւորներ կան, որոնք իրենց պէտք եղած կերակուրէն աւելին ունին, մինչ ես հոս անօթութենէ կըմեռնիմ: Ելլեմ երթամ հօրս քով եւ ըսեմ իրեն.- Հա՛յր, մեղանչեցի Աստուծոյ եւ քեզի դէմ. այլեւսարժանի չեմ քու որդիդ կոչուելու. զիս քու գործաւորներէդ մէկը նկատէ»: Ապա ելաւ եւ հօրը քովգնաց:

Տակաւին տունէն բաւական հեռու էր, երբ հայրը տեսաւ զինք ու գթաց. վազելով դիմաւորեց զայն, վիզին փաթթուեցաւ եւ համբուրեց: Որդին հօրը ըսաւ. «Հա՛յր, մեղանչեցի Աստուծոյ եւ քեզի դէմ. այլեւս արժանի չեմ քու որդիդ կոչուելու»: Հայրը իր ծառաներուն հրամայեց. «Անմիջապէս բերէքլաւագոյն պատմուճանը եւ հագցուցէք իրեն. մատանի անցուցէք իր մատին եւ կօշիկ տուէք իրեն: Բերէ՛ք պարարտ հորթը, մորթեցէք, ուտենք եւ ուրախանանք: Որովհետեւ իմ այս զաւակս մեռած էր՝ողջնցաւ, կորսուած էր՝ գտնուեցաւ»: Եւ սկսան խրախճանքի:

Մինչ այդ, երէց զաւակը ագարակ կը գտնուէր: Վերադարձին, երբ տան մօտեցաւ, երգի ու պարիձայներ լսեց: Կանչեց ծառաներէն մէկը եւ հարցուց թէ ի՛նչ կայ: Ծառան ըսաւ իրեն. «Եղբայրդ եկաւ, եւորովհետեւ ողջ-առողջ վերադարձաւ, հայրդ պարարտ հորթը մորթեց»: Երէց եղբայրը զայրացաւ եւչուզեց ներս մտնել: Այս մասին իմանալով, հայրը դուրս ելաւ եւ աղաչեց որ ներս մտնէ: Իսկ անիկապատասխանեց. «Տարիներէ ի վեր քեզի կը ծառայեմ. ոեւէ մէկ հրահանգդ չանտեսեցի, եւ սակայննոյնիսկ ուլ մը չտուիր ինծի, որ ուրախանայի բարեկամներուս հետ: Մինչդեռ, երբ եկաւ այդ որդիդ, որ քու ստացուածքդ պոռնիկներուն հետ մսխեց, պարարտ հորթը մորթեցիր անոր համար»: Հայրըըսաւ. «Տղա՛ս, դուն միշտ ինծի հետ ես եւ ամբողջ ունեցածս քուկդ է: Սակայն հիմա պէտք էուրախանանք եւ ցնծանք, որովհետեւ այս եղբայրդ մեռած էր՝ ողջնցաւ, կորսուած էր՝ գտնուեցաւ»:

Բ. ՆԱՄԱԿ ԿՈՐՆԹԱՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ 6:1-7:1

Արդ, որովհետեւ Աստուծոյ գործակիցներն ենք, կ’աղաչենք ձեզի, մի՛ վատնէք Աստուծմէ ձերստացած շնորհքը: Որովհետեւ Աստուած կ’ըսէ.-

«Երբ յարմար ժամանակը եկաւ՝ լսեցի քեզ,

երբ փրկութեան օրը հասաւ՝ օգնեցի քեզի»:

Ահա հիմա՛ է այդ յարմար ժամանակը. հիմա՛ է փրկութեան օրը:

Ոեւէ բանով պատճառ մի՛ ըլլաք որ Աստուծոյ գործը խափանուի կամ վարկաբեկուի. այլ՝ բոլորպարագաներուն ալ, դուք ձեզ ցոյց տուէք որպէս Աստուծոյ պաշտօնեաներ, մեծ համբերութեամբյանձն առնելով նեղութիւնը, վիշտը, չարչարանքը, ծեծը, բանտը, խռովարարներուվայրագութիւնները, յոգնութիւնը, անքնութիւնը, անօթութիւնը: Այս բոլորը տարէք՝ մաքուր սրտով, գիտակցօրէն, համբերատարութեամբ, քաղցրութեամբ, Սուրբ Հոգիով, անկեղծ սիրով, ճշմարտութիւնը քարոզելով, Աստուծոյ զօրութեամբ եւ արդարութեամբ զինուած՝ չարին դէմյարձակելու եւ ինքզինք պաշտպանելու համար: Մի՛ այլայլիք՝ ո՛չ փառքէն եւ ո՛չ անարգանքէն, ո՛չգովասանքէն եւ ո՛չ մեղադրանքէն: Մարդիկ մոլորած թող ըսեն մեզի. մենք գիտենք թէճշմարտութենէն չենք շեղած: Թող չուզեն մեզ ճանչնալ. մենք գիտենք թէ մեզ լաւ կը ճանչնան: Թողմեռած սեպեն մեզ. մենք ահա կենդանի ենք: Թող մեզ պատժապարտ համարեն. մենք գիտենք թէմահուան դատապարտութենէն ազատած ենք: Թող մեր կեանքը տխուր կարծեն. մենք միշտ ուրախենք: Աղքատ թող սեպեն. մենք շատերու կեանքերը կը ճոխացնենք: Այո՛, կը թուի թէ ոչինչ ունինք, մինչդեռ ամէն ինչ ունինք:

Ահա, սիրելի՛ Կորնթացիներ, ամէն ինչ բաց եւ անկեղծ սրտով ըսի ձեզի: Դուք ինչո՞ւ կը դժուարանաքարտայայտուելու: Ո՛չ իմ պատճառովս հարկաւ, այլ պարզապէս՝ ձեր սէրը արտայայտելու կըքաշուիք: Բայց կ’ուզեմ որ ինծի պէս բանաք ձեր սիրտերը եւ ազատօրէն խօսիք դուք ալ. չէ՞ որ իմզաւակներս էք դուք:

Բնաւ անհաւատներուն լծակից մի՛ ըլլաք: Ի՞նչ կապ կրնայ ունենալ արդարը անօրէնին հետ, կամ ի՞նչնոյնութեան եզր կրնայ ըլլալ լոյսին ու խաւարին միջեւ: Ի՞նչ համաձայնութիւն կրնայ ըլլալ Քրիստոսիեւ Սատանային միջեւ, կամ ի՞նչ գործ ունի հաւատացեալը անհաւատին հետ: Ի՞նչ նմանութիւն կայԱստուծոյ տաճարին եւ մեհեաններուն միջեւ:

Արդարեւ, մե՛նք ենք կենդանի Աստուծոյ տաճարը, ինչպէս Աստուած ինք ըսաւ.-

«Անոնց մէջ պիտի բնակիմ

եւ անոնց հետ պիտի ապրիմ:

Ես իրենց Աստուածը պիտի ըլլամ

եւ անոնք՝ իմ ժողովուրդս»:

Ահա թէ ինչո՛ւ Աստուած կը հրահանգէ մեզի.-

«Անջատ եւ հեռո՛ւ կեցէք հեթանոսներէն.

պիղծ բաներու մի՛ դպչիք,

եւ ես ձեզ պիտի ընդունիմ:

Ես ձեզի Հայր պիտի ըլլամ

եւ դուք իմ տղաքս ու աղջիկներս պիտի ըլլաք,-

կ’ըսէ ամենակալ Տէրը»:

Սիրելինե՛ր, այս խոստումները մեզի եղած են: Ուստի  հեռո՛ւ մնանք մարմնական եւ հոգեկան ամէնպղծութենէ, մենք մեզ կատարելապէս մաքրենք՝ Աստուծոյ երկիւղովը ապրելով:

BIBLICAL READINGS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2024

Luke 15:1-32 

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 

So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of property that falls to me.’ And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to make merry. 

“Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf! And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” 

2 Corinthians 6:1-7:1 

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 

We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also. 

Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.” 

HOKEHANKIST REQUESTS:

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2024

Requested For:

MRS. MARIAM KECHICHIAN - 40TH DAY - Mother/Grandmother

Passed away in Toronto, Canada

Requested By:

Mr. & Mrs. Raffi and Maria Kechichian

Grandchildren: Mr. & Mrs. Thamar and Sebastian Linnemayr,

Mr. Zaven Kechichian, and Mr. Etienne Kechichian and their families.

Last Sunday, FEBRUARY 18TH, we prayed for

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

ADRINE INDJAYAN - 17th Year - Mother

SARKIS INDJAYAN - 11th Year

HOKEHANKIST DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR:

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

For:

ARCHDEACON SARKIS IKNADOSSIAN and ARPI IKNADOSSIAN

By:

Mr. & Mrs. Yervant and Anita Iknadossian

Raffi and Anita and Ani Jahilian

For:

ADRINE and SARKIS INDJAYAN

By:

Gayane and Gevork Indjayan

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, February 18, 2024, to Friday February 23, 2024

We thank our faithful parishioners

for the generous donations and support of our church.

GENERAL DONATIONS

Week of February 18th, 2024, to February 23rd, 2024

Anahid Julieta Girbal, Kapriel and Siranus Kalayciyan, Siranuch Karabetian,

Arlene Roupinian, Gary and Nina Turpanjian

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

Connect with St James Armenian Church on Facebook and Instagram @stjamesarmenianchurchla! We're just getting started here, but more soon!

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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