Weekly Oshagan

March 24th, 2024, Newsletter of

St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles

Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian, Parish Priest

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Palm Sunday at St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles is a cherished occasion marked by both solemnity and joy. As the altar curtain reopens after the Lenten period, parishioners gather to commemorate Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Trnpatsek ceremony, or Opening of the Doors, takes center stage. Positioned on either side of the closed doors or altar curtain, the priest and deacon symbolize Christ and the faithful, respectively. Through fervent prayers and chants, the deacon pleads for the Lord to open His Kingdom, while the priest, representing Christ, extends the invitation to inherit the Kingdom prepared for the faithful. As the doors open, echoing the invitation of Christ, the faithful enter the church with hearts filled with spiritual joy.

Palm Sunday holds special significance for children in the Armenian Church, proclaimed as Children's Blessing Day. Families dressed in their Sunday best gather for Holy Mass and receive a special blessing service before the altar. Children participate in the procession, holding decorated candles, adding innocence and joy to the solemn occasion.

Outside the church, branches from willow and palm trees adorn the surroundings, symbolizing the festive nature of the day. These blessed branches, distributed among the faithful after the service, serve as tangible reminders of the day's significance.

In conclusion, Palm Sunday at St. James Armenian Church is a blend of solemn reflection and joyous celebration. Through rituals, prayers, and the participation of families, including children, parishioners honor Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem and embark on the spiritual journey of Holy Week. All are warmly invited to join in this sacred observance, experiencing the richness of tradition and the blessings of communal worship.

Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian

LADIES SOCIETY MEMBERS HARD AT WORK

DECORATED CANDLES AVAILABLE

FOR PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION:

Our Ladies Society members have been hard at work this week creating the beautiful, individualized hand decorated candles in various color themes available for purchase in the church narthex for the Palm Sunday procession. Our thanks to our designers, Sonia Hamayan - Chairlady, Margo Vartanian - Vice-Chair, Salpi Kassardjian, and Lena Kalaydjian for creating the beautiful candles.

A very special thank you to Susie Vahanian who donated the

the candles and decorations for this wonderful project.

Candles are available for purchase in the church Narthex this Sunday, Palm Sunday.

Donation: 1 candle for $30.00; 2 candles for $50.00. 

A Blessed Palm Sunday to all

Title: ""Finding Refuge in Christ: A Reflection on St. Nerses Shnorhali's Prayer of Protection""

Father Haroutioun Tachejian delivered this sermon on Friday, March 15, 2024, during the Husgoom Vigil services at St. James.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Tonight, as we gather in prayer, we invoke again the words of St. Nerses Shnorhali, a beacon of light in the history of our Armenian Church. In his 24 chain prayers called “I confess in faith “, we find a profound expression of faith, a plea for divine protection, and a call for mercy upon all of God's creation. Tonight, let us reflect on the words of the prayer that is know as "Protector of all, O Christ” (Bahaban Amenayni Krisdos). 

"Protector of all, O Christ, may Thy hand shelter me by day and by night, at home and abroad, in sleeping and in waking, that I may never fall. Have mercy upon all Thy creatures and me. Amen."

These words echo the deep longing of every soul for the comforting presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we recite this prayer, we acknowledge Christ as the ultimate protector, the one who watches over us ceaselessly, regardless of where we are or what time of day it may be.

"Protector of all, O Christ..." In these opening words, we affirm Christ's universal sovereignty. He is not merely a protector for some, but for all. His love and care extend to every corner of the earth, embracing every soul in need of shelter and refuge.

"...may Thy hand shelter me by day and by night..." Here, we acknowledge our vulnerability as human beings, subject to the trials and tribulations of life. Yet, in our vulnerability, we find solace in the comforting embrace of Christ's hand. His presence is our shield against the storms of life, offering us security and peace, both in the brightness of day and the darkness of night.

"...at home and abroad..." Whether we are within the familiar walls of our homes or journeying in distant lands, Christ's protection knows no boundaries. He accompanies us on every step of our journey, guiding us through unfamiliar surroundings and comforting us in times of isolation or loneliness.

"...in sleeping and in waking..." Even in the vulnerability of sleep, when our defenses are down and our minds are at rest, Christ remains vigilant. His watchful gaze never wavers, ensuring that we rest peacefully in His care and awaken to greet each new day with renewed strength and purpose.

"...that I may never fall." Here lies our deepest desire – to remain steadfast in our faith, unwavering in the face of temptation and adversity. We recognize our own weaknesses, but we place our trust in Christ, knowing that His hand will steady us and uphold us, even in our weakest moments.

"Have mercy upon all Thy creatures and me. Amen." Finally, we extend our prayer beyond ourselves to include all of God's creation. We acknowledge our interconnectedness with every living thing, and we plead for God's mercy not only for ourselves but for all beings, that they too may find refuge in the loving embrace of our Savior.

As we offer this prayer tonight, let us do so with hearts filled with gratitude for the unfailing love and protection of our Lord Jesus Christ. May His hand continue to shelter us, may His mercy extend to all, and may we, strengthened by His grace, go forth to spread His light in a world in need of His love.

Amen.

Title: " Embracing the Divine Light"

Father Haroutioun Tachejian delivered this sermon on Sunday, March 17, 2024, during the Sunrise Services at St. James.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we gather here today, we are immersed in the beauty and mystery of our Sunrise service, a time when the world is still cloaked in the quiet embrace of dawn, and our souls are open to the radiant presence of the Divine. In our hymn, we find profound words that speak to the very essence of our faith, guiding us to contemplate the nature of Light, its origin, and its significance in our lives.

"Light, Creator of light, primal Light, who dwells in inaccessible light, O heavenly Father, blessed by the ranks of the shining angels."

These opening lines echo the timeless truth that God is the source of all light, both physical and spiritual. As early church fathers have taught us, such as Saint Athanasius, "God is Light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all." In this hymn, we are reminded of the incomprehensible brilliance of the Heavenly Father, surrounded by the splendor of angelic beings who continuously praise His glory.

"At the dawn of this morning light, shed forth into our souls your intelligible light."

At the break of dawn, as the first rays of sunlight pierce through the darkness, we are called to invite the Divine Light into our souls. This is not merely a physical phenomenon but a spiritual awakening, where the light of God illuminates our minds and hearts, guiding us on the path of righteousness and understanding. As Saint Gregory of Nyssa once said, "The true dawn is that which shines in our hearts, awakening us to the reality of God's presence."

"O Light from Light, righteous Sun, you Son of the Father, whose name is glorified with the Father before the creation of the sun."

Here, we acknowledge Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the embodiment of divine light. He is described as the "Light from Light," emphasizing His inseparable connection to the Father, from whom He emanates. 

"O Light! Procession from the Father, source of goodness, Holy Spirit of God, the children of the Church praise you together with the angels."

In these words, we honor the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. The early church fathers, such as Saint Basil the Great, affirmed the divine nature of the Holy Spirit, describing Him as the source of goodness and the sanctifier of our souls. As we join our voices with the heavenly hosts in praise, we acknowledge the transformative power of the Spirit, who enlightens and sustains us on our spiritual journey.

"O Light! Triune and one indivisible Holy Trinity, we, born of the earth, glorify you always together with the heavenly hosts."

Finally, we proclaim the mystery of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – as the ultimate expression of divine light. Though beyond our finite understanding, we affirm the unity and indivisibility of the three persons of the Holy Trinity. As Saint Augustine eloquently stated, "In the Trinity, nothing is before or after, nothing is greater or lesser; the entire three persons are co-eternal and co-equal with one another." In this truth, we find our ultimate source of hope, love, and salvation.

Dear parishioners, as we reflect on these profound words of our hymn, let us open our hearts to the radiant presence of God's light. May it illuminate our minds with wisdom, our souls with grace, and our lives with the splendor of divine love. Let us embrace the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – as the eternal Light who guides us through the darkness, leading us ever closer to the dawn of eternal glory. Amen.

Campership Application Here:

https://forms.gle/EwaKHbeBR79J1Ugu8

Կիրակի, Մարտ 24, 2024

Ծաղկազարդ

Առաւօտեան Ժամերգութիւն  -  Ժամը 10:00ին

Ս. Պատարագ  -  Ժամը  10:00ին

Թափօր - Ժամը  12:15ին

Դռնբացէք - Ժամը  12:30ին

Sunday, March 24, 2024

PALM SUNDAY                                                     

Morning Service    10:00 am

Divine Liturgy - 10:30 am

Procession  - 12:15 pm

“Opening of the doors”   -  12:30 pm

ՍՈՒՐԲ ԳՐԱՅԻՆ ԸՆԹԵՐՑՈՒՄՆԵՐ

ԿԻՐԱԿԻ , ՄԱՐՏ 24, 2024

ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆ ԸՍՏ ՄԱՏԹԷՈՍԻ 20.29-21.17

Երբ Յիսուս եւ իր աշակերտները Երիքովէն դուրս կ’ելլէին, մեծ բազմութիւն մը հետեւեցաւ իրեն: Ճամբու եզերքին նստած երկու կոյրեր, երբ լսեցին որ Յիսուս կ’անցնի, սկսան աղաղակել.

– Ողորմէ՛ մեզի, Յիսո՜ւս, Դաւիթի՛ Որդի:

Ժողովուրդը սաստեց զանոնք որ լռեն, բայց անոնք աւելի բարձր ձայնով շարունակեցին աղաղակել.

– Ողորմէ՛ մեզի, Տէ՜ր, Դաւիթի՛ Որդի:

Յիսուս կանգ առաւ, իր մօտ կանչեց կոյրերը եւ հարցուց.

– Ի՞նչ կ’ուզէք որ ընեմ ձեզի:

Անոնք պատասխանեցին.

– Տէ՛ր, թող մեր աչքերը բացուին:

Յիսուս գթաց եւ անոնց աչքերուն դպաւ: Կոյրերը անմիջապէս սկսան տեսնել եւ հետեւեցան Յիսուսի:

Երբ Երուսաղէմի մօտեցան եւ հասան Բեթփագէ, Ձիթենեաց լեռան կողին, Յիսուս իրաշակերտներէն երկուքը ղրկեց՝ անոնց պատուիրելով.

– Գացէք սա դիմացի գիւղը եւ անմիջապէս հոն կապուած էշ մը պիտի գտնէք իր աւանակին հետ. քակեցէք եւ ինծի բերէք: Եւ եթէ մէկը առարկէ, ըսէք. «Տէրը պէտք ունի», եւ անմիջապէս թոյլ պիտիտայ ձեզի:

Ասիկա պատահեցաւ, որպէսզի իրականանայ ինչ որ Տէրը ըսած էր մարգարէին բերնով.-

«Երուսաղէմի ըսէք.-

Ահա թագաւորդ քեզի կու գայ.

անիկա հեզ է, նստած՝ իշու մը աւանակին վրայ»:

Աշակերտները գացին եւ կատարեցին ինչ որ Յիսուս պատուիրեց իրենց: Բերին էշն ու աւանակը եւիրենց վերարկուները անոնց վրայ դրին: Ապա Յիսուս նստաւ աւանակին վրայ: Ժողովուրդէն շատերիրենց վերարկուները կը փռէին ճամբուն վրայ, ուրիշներ ծառերէն ոստեր կը կտրէին եւ կըտարածէին ճամբուն վրայ: Եւ ամբողջ բազմութիւնը, որ թափօրին մէջ Յիսուսի առջեւէն կ’երթարկամ կը հետեւէր իրեն, կ’աղաղակէր.-

«Օրհնութի՜ւն Դաւիթի Որդիին,

օրհնեալ է ան՝ որ կու գայ Տիրոջ անունով:

Օրհնութի՜ւն Բարձրեալին»:

Երբ Յիսուս Երուսաղէմ մտաւ, ամբողջ քաղաքը դղրդեցաւ:

– Ո՞վ է ասիկա,- կը հարցնէին քաղաքի բնակիչները:

Եւ ամբոխը կը պատասխանէր.

– Ասիկա Յիսուս մարգարէն է, Գալիլեայի Նազարէթ քաղաքէն:

Ապա Յիսուս տաճար մտաւ եւ դուրս վռնտեց բոլոր անոնք, որոնք տաճարի շրջափակին մէջառուծախ կ’ընէին. լումայափոխներուն սեղանները եւ աղաւնեվաճառներուն աթոռները շրջեց եւըսաւ անոնց.

– Սուրբ գիրքերուն մէջ գրուած է. «Իմ տունս աղօթքի տուն պիտի կոչուի», մինչ դուք զայնաւազակներու որջի վերածած էք:

Տաճարին մէջ Յիսուսի մօտեցան կոյրեր ու կաղեր, եւ անիկա բժշկեց զանոնք: Երբ աւագքահանաները եւ Օրէնքի ուսուցիչները տեսան Յիսուսի կատարած հրաշքները եւ լսեցին աղաղակըմանուկներուն, որոնք տաճարին մէջ կը գոչէին. «Օրհնութի՜ւն Դաւիթի Որդիին», բարկացան եւՅիսուսի ըսին.

– Կը լսե՞ս ինչ կ’ըսեն ատոնք:

Յիսուս պատասխանեց.

– Այո՛, չէ՞ք կարդացած Սուրբ գիրքին սա խօսքը, թէ «Մանուկներու եւ կաթնկեր երեխաներու բերնովգովեստ հիւսեցիր»:

Ապա Յիսուս զանոնք ձգելով քաղաքէն դուրս ելաւ՝ դէպի Բեթանիա, եւ հոն գիշերեց:

ՆԱՄԱԿ ՓԻԼԻՊՊԵՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ 4.4-7

Միշտ ուրախ եղէք Տիրոջմով. դարձեալ կ’ըսեմ՝ ուրախ եղէք: Բոլորին հանդէպ ազնիւ եղէք: ՇուտովՏէրը կու գայ: Ոեւէ բան թող չմտահոգէ ձեզ. այլ միշտ ձեր աղօթքներուն եւ աղաչանքներուն մէջգոհաբանութեամբ Աստուծմէ խնդրեցէք ինչ բանի որ կարիքը կը զգաք, եւ այն ատեն Աստուծոյխաղաղութիւնը, որ միտքով կարելի չէ հասկնալ, խաղաղ պիտի պահէ ձեր սիրտերն ու միտքերը, որոնք Քրիստոս Յիսուսի միացած են:

BIBLICAL READINGS

SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2024

Matthew 20:29-21:17 

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him. 

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 

“Tell the daughter of Zion, 

Look, your king is coming to you, 

humble, and mounted on a donkey, 

and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” 

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, 

“Hosanna to the Son of David! 

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 

Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” 

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” 

The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became angry and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, 

‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies 

 you have prepared praise for yourself’?” 

 He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there. 

Philippians 4:4-7 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

HOKEHANKIST REQUESTS:

Last Sunday, MARCH 17th we also prayed for

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

SARKIS and NOYEMI HAMPARTZOUMIAN - 20th Year - Parents

SHAHAN HAMPARTZOUMIAN

NSHAN HAMPARTZOUMIAN

BALASAM ISAGULYAN, NVARD ISAGULYAN, OFIG AUNTIE - Relatives

HOKEHANKIST DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR:



MARCH 17, 2024

For:

KEVORK GEORGE TAVOUKJIAN - 40TH DAY

By:

Maral Tavoukjian and Jeanette Soumakian

For:

HAMPARTZOUMIAN FAMILY

By:

Maria and Gabriel Matta

For:

BALASAM & NVARD ISAGULYAN & OFIG

By:

Relatives

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, March 17, 2024, to Friday March 22, 2024

We thank our faithful parishioners

for the generous donations and support of our church.

GENERAL DONATIONS

Week of March 17th to March 22, 2024

Nuran V. Degirmen, Sonia Doumanian, Haitook Gregorian

Gary and Nina Turpanjian

"IN LIEU OF FLOWERS "DONATIONS FOR

ALTAR VESTMENTS AND VESSELS:

"IN LOVING MEMORY "OF:

KHANOUM MANOUELIAN

By:

Anonymous, Habib & Sevan Arouch Bourhil, Mike and Lida Avedissian, Awakian Family, Zohrab & Annie Chouchanian, George and Silva Chouchanian, Krikor Arouch-Ekmekjian Family, Mr. & Mrs. Abraham Indjian, Harout Kaakejian Rozanna Kademian, Gary & Zannie Kalaydjian, Vasken & Patty Kalaydjian,

Pierre Kasbarian, Lulu & Hratch, Sarkis Mabrerejian, Sevan Madyan Maljian, Albert & Nellie Mardikian, Gary & Marina Mardikian, Peter & Martha Mardikian-Mardikian Automotive Center, Sako Herman Mardikian, Araxie Naufal,

Aram Nigoghossian Family, Shant Shahbaz and Vanj Maljian-SPS Engineering

EASTER YOUGHAKIN DONATIONS

(Received as of March 22, 2024)

We thank our faithful parishioners for the generous Easter Youghakin Donations:

Dr. Anita Agzarian and Gustavo Rendon, George and Pamela Balian,

Nancy and Jose Barajas, Grace and Frank Baran, Diane Barsam, Asdghig Chooljian Paula and Joseph Ciaramitaro, Margaret Der Sarkisian, Dr. Heratch O. Doumanian, Gabriel & Stephanie Goshtigian, Patrick & Mary Goshtigian, The Guzelimian Trust-Charles Ounjian TTE, Jerry Hairabedian Sr., Harry's Auto Body, Inc.,

Berjouhi Helvadjian, Dr. Garabet and Mrs. Loussik Kassakhian, Mary Kevorkian, Mary & Kapriel Krikorian, Jacqueline S. Kurkjian, Linda Nazaretian,

Hagop Nazarian, Jeanette Oghigian, Sirush Ohanessian, Charles & Melina Ounjian,

Arlene Roupinian, Hratch and Lidya Setian, Rosemary Tatian,

Krikor & Vartouhi Tcholakian-Carousel Restaurant-Glendale,

Gary & Nina Turpanjian, Edmond & Sari Vartanian, Dale Vaznaian

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