Weekly Oshagan

February 18th, 2024, Newsletter of

St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles

Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian, Parish Priest

Please go to the Oshagan Signup page to be added to the newsletter automatically, check for outages and to see previous Oshagans online.

Starting this Monday, we've commenced the profound period of Great Lent (Medz Bahk), marking a solemn and introspective phase within the Church. The symbolic closure of the altar signifies the narrative of Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden (Refer to Genesis, chapters 2 and 3). Notably, Holy Communion isn't administered during the liturgical proceedings. This interval prompts devout reflection and repentance as we traverse our spiritual path toward Easter.

Each Sunday throughout Lent bears a distinct thematic essence. This forthcoming Sunday, February 18, is designated as the Sunday of the Expulsion (Ardaksman Giragi). Its narrative seamlessly extends from the preceding Sunday's Paregentan, focusing on Adam and Eve's lamentable descent from grace and subsequent exile from Paradise.

Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Poon Paregentan marks a time of joyous living and celebration before the solemn season of Lent. It is a time when we come together as a community to rejoice in the blessings of life and fellowship before embarking on a journey of spiritual introspection and renewal.

In the broader Christian tradition, Lent represents a period of 40 days of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, mirroring the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert preparing for His ministry. It is a time of preparation, a time to draw closer to God through self-examination and reconciliation. Just as Jesus prepared Himself for His ministry, we too use this season to prepare our hearts and minds for the joyous celebration of Easter – the Feast of Feasts, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Armenian Church, Poon Paregentan serves as a poignant reminder of our place in God's plan. As we celebrate "joyous living day," we reflect on the abundance and joy that God intended for us in the Garden of Eden. However, as we enter into the season of Great Lent, the closing of the altar curtain during the Divine Liturgy serves as a solemn symbol of our  from the Kingdom of God – a reminder of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden.

During Great Lent, the closed curtain stands as a visual sign of our need for forgiveness and restoration. It invites us to journey inward, to examine our lives and seek reconciliation with God and one another. It is a time of spiritual awakening, a time to confront our shortcomings and embrace the transformative power of God's love and grace.

As we embark on this sacred journey of Great Lent, let us heed the wisdom of the Early Church Fathers. Saint John Chrysostom reminds us, "Fasting is the change of every part of our life, because the sacrifice of the fast is not the abstinence but the distancing from sins." Through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we create space in our lives for God to work His miracles of healing and redemption.

Let us also remember the words of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, who said, "The time of repentance has come, let us begin to seek God. Let us purify ourselves and become like Him; let us wash away the filth of the flesh." Great Lent offers us the opportunity to purify our hearts and minds, to rid ourselves of the distractions and temptations that keep us from fully experiencing God's presence in our lives.

As we journey through Great Lent, let us be mindful of the transformative power of this sacred season. Let us embrace the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as spiritual tools for growth and renewal. Let us seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God and one another, knowing that His mercy is boundless.

May this season of Great Lent be a time of spiritual awakening and renewal for each and every one of us. May we emerge from this journey transformed and renewed, ready to embrace the joy of Easter with hearts full of gratitude and praise. Amen.

INSTALLATION OF THE ST. JAMES LADIES SOCIETY EXECUTIVE BOARD

On Tuesday, February 13th, Reverend Father Haroutioun Tachejian, the Parish Priest of St. James, conducted the installation ceremony for the re-election of the Ladies Society Executive Board. Below, you will find his congratulatory remarks and blessing prayer.

Dear Members of the Ladies Society Executive Board,

I extend my warmest congratulations to each of you on your re-election to the board. Your commitment and dedication to our church community through the Ladies Society are truly commendable. As you embark on another term of service, may you be blessed with the strength and wisdom to lead with grace and compassion.

Sonia Hamayan, our Chairlady, may you continue to inspire us with your leadership, guided by the wisdom of our Lord and the example of the Holy Mother.

Margot Vartanian, our Vice Chair, may you be a source of strength and support for our members, leading with kindness and determination.

Janet Roberts, our Treasurer, may you manage our resources with prudence and care, ensuring the financial health of our society.

Arlene Roupinian, our Recording Secretary, may your diligence and attention to detail help us document our activities with accuracy and care.

Seta Yanikian, our Chaplain, may your spiritual guidance nurture the souls of our members, bringing them closer to God and each other.

Louise Bedrosian, our Sunshine, may your warmth and kindness brighten the lives of those around you and particularly our sisters who are not doing very well physically, spreading joy and comfort.

Sylvia Salmaslian, our Parliamentarian, may you uphold the principles of fairness with integrity and grace, guiding us towards transparency and accountability.

Gladys Saroyan, our Historian, may your dedication to capturing our moments and sharing them with the parish inspire us to cherish our memories and celebrate our community.

Together, may you work harmoniously to fulfill the mission of our Ladies Society, serving our church and community with love and devotion.

Congratulations once again, and may God bless you abundantly in your service to our church and community.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the dedicated service of our most beloved dedicated Ladies Society board members. Bless them with wisdom, courage, and grace as they fulfill their roles. May they be guided by your love and the example of the Holy Mother in all they do. Grant them the strength to lead with humility, the wisdom to make sound decisions, and the compassion to serve with love.

May they work together in harmony, supporting one another and uplifting our community. Bless their endeavors, Lord, and may they always be guided by your light. Amen.

In addition, the Ladies Society held their scheduled Installation Luncheon at St. James Church hall on January 9th. During the event, Patty Samarge presented the Executive Board with flowers, each adorned with different color ribbons representing the significance of each executive office position.

During the Ladies' Society meeting on February 13th, members celebrated and recognized January and February birthdays. Delicious birthday cake was served to members in attendance, honoring the following individuals:

Vicki Kalayjian, Sylvia Salmastlian, Seta Yanikian, Armine Chalekian, Anahid Sousanian, Vicky Minelian and Elizabeth Balian.

Vartanants sermon for St James Sunday School students by Fr. Haroutioun. February 2024.

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

HUSGOOM LENTEN SERVICES AT 7:00 PM SCHEDULE:

Friday, February 23rd

Friday, March 1st

Friday, March 8th

Friday, March 15th

Friday, March 22nd

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

St. James 2023 Dues Paying Members:

MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND SAVE THE DATE!

ST. JAMES ARMENIAN CHURCH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2024

After Church Services in

Dulgarian Hall

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

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

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Western Diocese are proud to present the Diocese’s Debutante Ball on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at the world-famous Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

For nearly 50 years, the Debutante Ball has been a beloved tradition in the Armenian community. It is a celebration of family and a joyous occasion to reconnect with friends. This year, 19 young women including many from churches throughout the Diocese will be presented as debutantes and along with their escorts will take part in this time-honored and memorable event. 

This year’s Mistress of Ceremonies is Sona Movsesian. Movsesian has worked for Conan O’Brien on both his TV show and podcast, accompanying him on a trip to Armenia which was documented and featured on one of O’Brien’s TV specials. She is a New York Times bestselling author with her 2022 book, The World’s Worst Assistant. In recent years she has also assisted a number of organizations in their support of causes affecting the Armenian community.

All are invited to attend the Debutante Ball, as well as show support by placing an ad in the event’s keepsake booklet to extend congratulations to the participants. All proceeds from the booklet will benefit The Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian Hye Camp Program and Artsakh relief efforts.

The black-tie-optional event begins with a cocktail reception at 5:00, followed by the presentation of Debutantes at 6:00. Dinner and dancing will follow. The Ladies Auxiliary is excited to announce that Greg Hosharian & the Armenian Pops Ensemble will provide the music throughout the evening.

Cindy Norian and Audrey Matoesian, co-chairs of the Ladies Auxiliary, invite you to attend what promises to be an unforgettable evening.

To purchase tickets and for further details, please visit www.wddebball.com. 

Կիրակի, Փետրուար 18, 2024

Ս. Պատարագ - Ժամը 10:00ին

Արեւագալի Ժամերգութիւն 11:00ին

Քարոզ - Ժամը 11:45ին

Հոգեհանգստեան Պաշտօն - Ժամը 12:15ին

Sunday, February 18, 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 18, 2024

ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆ ԸՍՏ ՄԱՏԹԷՈՍԻ 5:17-48

Մի՛ կարծէք թէ եկայ Մովսէսի Օրէնքը կամ մարգարէներու ուսուցումները ջնջելու. չեկայ ջնջելու, այլամբողջացնելու: Հաստատ գիտցէք, որ բոլոր Օրէնքն ու մարգարէութիւնները կէտ առ կէտ պիտիիրականանան՝ առանց բառ մը իսկ դուրս ձգելու, մինչեւ գայ այն օրը, երբ այս երկինքն ու երկիրըպիտի անցնին: Ով որ ամենափոքր պատուիրանն իսկ զանց ընէ եւ ուրիշներուն ալ այդպէսսորվեցնէ, երկինքի արքայութեան մէջ յետինը պիտի նկատուի: Իսկ ով որ գործադրէպատուիրանները եւ ուսուցանէ, մեծ պիտի ըլլայ երկինքի արքայութեան մէջ: Կ’ըսեմ ձեզի.- ԵթէԱստուծոյ պատուիրաններուն նկատմամբ ձեր հաւատարմութիւնը Փարիսեցիներուն եւ Օրէնքիուսուցիչներուն ունեցած հաւատարմութենէն աւելի չըլլայ՝ պիտի չմտնէք երկինքի արքայութիւնը:

Լսեր էք որ անցեալին ըսուած է. «Մի՛ սպաններ, որովհետեւ ան որ կը սպաննէ՝ պիտիդատապարտուի»: Իսկ ես կ’ըսեմ ձեզի.- Ով որ առանց պատճառի իր եղբօր դէմ բարկանայ,դատարան պիտի յանձնուի: Ով որ իր եղբայրը յիմար կոչէ, Ատեան պիտի բերուի. եւ ով որ իրեղբայրը անմիտ կոչէ, դժոխքի կրակին պիտի դատապարտուի: Եթէ զոհարանին վրայ ընծադԱստուծոյ մատուցանելու ատեն յիշես որ եղբայրդ վշտացած է քեզմէ, ձգէ՛ ընծադ զոհարանին առջեւ,գնա նախ հաշտուէ՛ եղբօրդ հետ եւ ա՛պա եկուր եւ ընծադ Աստուծոյ մատուցանէ:

Երբ մէկը խնդիր ունի քեզի հետ եւ դատի կը կանչէ քեզ, սկիզբէն համաձայնութեան եկուր անոր հետ՝դատարան չինկած, այլապէս քեզ դատաւորին կը յանձնէ, դատաւորն ալ՝ ոստիկանին, եւ բանտ կընետուիս: Վստահ եղիր, թէ բանտէն պիտի չելլես, մինչեւ որ տուգանքիդ վերջին դահեկանը չվճարես:

Լսեր էք որ ըսուած է. «Մի՛ շնար»: Իսկ ես կ’ըսեմ ձեզի, թէ ո՛վ որ ցանկութեամբ նայի ոեւէ կնոջ՝ արդէնիսկ իր սիրտին մէջ շնութիւն ըրած կ’ըլլայ անոր հետ: Եթէ աջ աչքդ քեզ կը գայթակղեցնէ, հանէ եւնետէ՛ զայն, որովհետեւ նախընտրելի է որ անդամներէդ մէկը կորսնցնես, քան թէ ամբողջ մարմինովդժոխք ձգուիս: Եթէ աջ ձեռքդ քեզ կը գայթակղեցնէ, կտրէ եւ նետէ՛ զայն, որովհետեւ նախընտրելի էոր անդամներէդ մէկը կորսնցնես, քան թէ ամբողջ մարմինով դժոխք ձգուիս:

– Ըսուած է նաեւ. «Ով որ իր կինը կ’արձակէ, անոր արձակման թուղթ թող տայ»: Իսկ ես կ’ըսեմձեզի.- Ան որ առանց պոռնկութեան պատճառի իր կինը կ’արձակէ, ինք պատճառ կը դառնայ անորշնութիւն ընելուն: Նոյնպէս, շնութիւն ըրած կ’ըլլայ ան՝ որ կ’ամուսնանայ արձակուած կնոջ հետ:

– Լսեր էք նաեւ որ անցեալին ըսուած է. «Երդմնազանց մի՛ ըլլար, այլ կատարէ ինչ որ երդուած էիրՏիրոջ»: Իսկ ես կ’ըսեմ ձեզի.- Բնաւ երդում մի՛ ընէք, ո՛չ երկինքի վրայ՝ որովհետեւ Աստուծոյ գահն է, ո՛չերկրի վրայ՝ որովհետեւ անոր ոտքին պատուանդանն է, ո՛չ Երուսաղէմի վրայ՝ որովհետեւ ՄեծԹագաւորին՝ Աստուծոյ քաղաքն է, եւ ո՛չ ալ քու գլխուդ վրայ երդում ըրէ, որովհետեւ չես կրնար մազմը իսկ ճերմկցնել կամ սեւցնել: Պարզապէս ձեր Այոն Այո թող ըլլայ եւ Ոչը՝ Ոչ: Անկէ աւելին չարէն կուգայ:

– Լսեր էք որ ըսուած է. «Աչքի դէմ աչք պիտի հատուցանես եւ ակռայի դէմ՝ ակռայ»: Իսկ ես կ’ըսեմձեզի.- Մի՛ հակառակիր քեզի չարիք ընողին: Եթէ մէկը աջ երեսիդ ապտակ զարնէ՝ միւս երեսդ ալդարձուր անոր: Եւ եթէ մէկը ուզէ քեզ դատի կանչել՝ շապիկդ առնելու համար, բաճկոնդ ալ տուրանոր: Եթէ մէկը քեզ բռնադատէ մէկ մղոն միասին երթալ՝ իր բեռը շալկելու համար, անոր հետ երկումղոն ալ գնա: Եթէ մէկը քեզմէ բան մը խնդրէ՝ տո՛ւր, եւ եթէ մէկը քեզմէ բան մը փոխ առնել ուզէ՝ երեսմի՛ դարձներ:

– Լսեր էք արդարեւ որ ըսուած է. «Սիրէ՛ ընկերդ եւ ատէ՛ թշնամիդ»: Իսկ ես կ’ըսեմ ձեզի.- Սիրեցէ՛ք ձերթշնամիները, օրհնեցէ՛ք ձեզ անիծողները, բարիք ըրէք ձեզ ատողներուն եւ աղօթեցէք անոնց համար,որոնք ձեզ կը չարչարեն ու կը հալածեն: Այսպիսով դուք ձեր երկնաւոր Հօր զաւակները պիտիդառնաք, որովհետեւ ան իր արեւը կը ծագեցնէ թէ՛ չարերուն եւ թէ՛ բարիներուն վրայ եւ անձրեւ կըտեղացնէ թէ՛ արդարներուն եւ թէ՛ մեղաւորներուն վրայ:

Եթէ միայն ձեզ սիրողները սիրէք, Աստուծմէ ի՞նչ վարձատրութիւն կրնաք սպասել: Մաքսաւորներնալ նոյնը չե՞ն ըներ: Նմանապէս, եթէ միայն ձեր ազգակիցներուն հետ բարեկամութիւն ընէք,հեթանոսներէն աւելի ի՞նչ ըրած կ’ըլլաք: Անոնք ալ նոյնը չե՞ն ըներ: Արդ, դուք կատարեալ եղէք,ինչպէս որ ձեր երկնաւոր Հայրը կատարեալ է:

ՆԱՄԱԿ ՀՌՈՄԱՅԵՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ 12:1-13:10

Ուստի, եղբայրնե՛ր, քանի Աստուած ա՜յնքան ողորմած եղաւ մեզի հանդէպ, կ’աղաչեմ որ դուք ձեզԱստուծոյ ընծայէք որպէս կենդանի զոհ մը՝ իրեն վերապահուած, որովհետեւ ատիկա՛ է Աստուծոյուզած հոգեւոր պաշտամունքը: Այս աշխարհի մարդոց վարմունքը մի՛ ընդօրինակէք, այլ նորոգուածմիտքերով նոր մարդ եղէք, որպէսզի ձեր փորձառութեամբ ընտրէք լաւը, գիտնալով Աստուծոյկամքը, այսինքն՝ ինչ որ բարի է, ընդունելի է իրեն եւ կատարեալ:

Ինծի տրուած Աստուծոյ շնորհքով հետեւեալ պատուէրը կու տամ իւրաքանչիւրիդ.- Մեծամիտ մի՛ըլլաք. ընդհակառակը, միշտ համեստ եղէք եւ միայն Աստուծմէ ձեզի տրուած հաւատքին չափովգնահատեցէք դուք ձեզ: Ինչպէս մեր մարմինը բազմաթիւ անդամներ ունի, որոնց պաշտօնը նոյնը չէսակայն, այնպէս ալ Քրիստոսի միացած ըլլալով, մենք բոլորս մէկ մարմին ենք: Թէպէտ որպէսանդամներ իրարու կապուած ենք, բայց Աստուծոյ շնորհքը իւրաքանչիւրիս տարբեր պարգեւ մըտուած է, որ պէտք է գործածենք: Եթէ մարգարէութեան պարգեւը ունինք՝ պէտք է պատգամենք մերհաւատքին համեմատ: Եթէ ծառայելու շնորհքը տրուած է՝ պէտք է ծառայենք: Եթէ ուսուցանելուձիրքը ունինք՝ պէտք է ուսուցանենք: Եթէ յորդորելու կարողութիւնը ունինք՝ պէտք է յորդորենք: Իրունեցածը ուրիշներուն բաժնողը առատօրէն թող բաշխէ: Վերակացու եղողը եռանդագին թողաշխատի: Ողորմութիւն ընողը խնդութեամբ թող ընէ:

Ձեր սէրը թող անկեղծ ըլլայ: Ատեցէ՛ք ինչ որ չար է եւ բարիին կառչած մնացէք: Եղբօր պէս իրարսիրեցէք գորովանքով: Յարգելու մէջ իրար գերազանցեցէք: Եռանդագին աշխատեցէք առանցծուլանալու: Ջերմեռանդ հոգիով Տիրոջ ծառայեցէք: Յոյսով ուրախացէք, նեղութեանց մէջ համբերողեղէք, յարատեւ աղօթեցէ՛ք: Կարիքի մէջ եղող եղբայրներուն օգնեցէք եւ միշտ հիւրասէր եղէք:Օրհնեցէ՛ք ձեզ հալածողները. մի՛ անիծէք, այլ օրհնեցէք: Ուրախացողներուն հետ ուրախացէք եւլացողներուն հետ լացէք: Բոլորին հանդէպ նոյն վերաբերումը ունեցէք. մեծամիտ մի՛ ըլլաք, խոնարհմարդոց ալ ընկերութիւն ընելու զիջեցէք, եւ դուք ձեզ իմաստուն մի՛ համարէք:

Ոեւէ մէկուն չարիքին՝ չարիքով մի՛ հատուցանէք: Ջանացէք ընել այն՝ ինչ որ բոլոր մարդոց աչքինբարի է: Որքան կրնաք՝ ամենուն հետ խաղաղ ապրեցէք: Սիրելինե՛ր, երբեք դուք անձամբ վրէժլուծելու մասին մի՛ մտածէք, այլ ձգեցէք որ Աստուծոյ բարկութիւնը ընէ ատիկա. որովհետեւ ՏէրըՍուրբ գիրքին մէջ կ’ըսէ. «Ի՛մս է դատելու եւ պատժելու իրաւունքը. ե՛ս պիտի հատուցանեմ», իսկուրիշ տեղ մը կ’ըսէ.-

«Եթէ թշնամիդ քաղցած է՝ հաց տուր իրեն.

եթէ ծարաւ է՝ ջուր տուր:

Այսպէս վարուելովդ արդէն ամօթը զինք կ’այրէ»:

Մի՛ պարտուիր չարէն, այլ՝ բարիով յաղթէ չարին:

Ամէն մարդ պէտք է հնազանդի պետական իշխանութեանց, որովհետեւ առանց Աստուծոյթոյլտուութեան իշխանութիւն չի կրնար ըլլալ, եւ գոյութիւն ունեցող իշխանութիւնները Աստուծմէկարգուած են: Ուստի, ով որ իշխանութեանց կը հակառակի՝ Աստուծոյ հրամանին է որ հակառակածկ’ըլլայ, եւ հակառակողները իրենք զիրենք դատապարտութեան տակ կը դնեն: Իշխողները վախ չենպատճառեր բարիք գործողներուն, այլ միայն չարագործներուն: Դուն կ’ուզե՞ս իշխանութենէնչվախնալ: Բարի՛ք գործէ, եւ անկէ գովասանք կը լսես. որովհետեւ Աստուծոյ պաշտօնեան է անիկա,քու բարիքիդ համար կարգուած: Իսկ եթէ չար գործես՝ վախցի՛ր անկէ, որովհետեւ զուր տեղը չէ որսուր կը կրէ. որպէս Աստուծոյ պաշտօնեայ՝ բարկութեամբ կը դատէ եւ կը պատժէ չարագործները:Ահա թէ ինչու՝ պէտք է իշխանութեանց հնազանդիլ. ո՛չ միայն պատիժէն զերծ մնալու, այլ մանաւանդխիղճով հանգիստ ըլլալու համար: Ատոր համար է նաեւ, որ իշխանութեանց տուրք կը վճարէք,որպէսզի իբրեւ Աստուծոյ պաշտօնեաներ՝ շարունակեն իրենց այդ դերը կատարել: Հետեւաբարանոնցմէ իւրաքանչիւրին հանդէպ ձեր պարտաւորութիւնը կատարեցէք, տուրքը տալով անոր՝ որունտուրք պէտք է տաք, մաքսը տալով անոր՝ որուն մաքս պէտք է տաք, հնազանդելով անոր՝ որունհնազանդութիւն կը պարտիք եւ յարգելով ան՝ որուն յարգանք կը պարտիք:

Ոեւէ մէկուն ոեւէ բանով պարտական մի՛ մնաք. միմիայն իրար սիրելու պարտաւորութիւնը ունեցէք,քանի որ իր ընկերը սիրողը կատարած կ’ըլլայ Աստուծոյ Օրէնքը: Որովհետեւ Աստուծոյպատուիրանները, «Մի՛ շնար, մի՛ սպաններ, մի՛ գողնար, սուտ վկայութիւն մի՛ ըներ, մի՛ ցանկար» եւմիւս բոլորը, խտացած են սա միակ պատուիրանին մէջ. «Սիրէ՛ ընկերդ քու անձիդ պէս»: Ով որ իրընկերը կըսիրէ, չարիք չ’ըներ անոր: Ուրեմն սիրել՝ կը նշանակէ Աստուծոյ Օրէնքը լման գործադրել:

BIBLICAL READINGS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

Matthew 5:17-48 

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophet; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. Do when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

“You are heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go to hell. 

“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” 

Romans 12:1-13:10 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.  

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. 

 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing. Pay to all what is due them—taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.  

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. 

HOKEHANKIST REQUESTS:

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

Requested For:

ARCHDEACON SARKIS IKNADOSSIAN - 10th Year - Father

ARPI IKNADOSSIAN - 1st Year - Mother

Requested By:

Mr. & Mrs. Yervant & Anita Iknadossian

Maral Iknadossian

Dickran & Silva Yegavian - (Iknadossian) Toronto, Canada

Last Sunday, FEBRUARY 11TH, we prayed for

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

HAROUTUN MADJARIAN - Husband

JOSEPH SIMKA - Husband

CHRIS SETIAN - 40th Day - Friend

HOKEHANKIST DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR:

FEBRUARY 11, 2024

For:

KHATCHIK and SOSSY AKATCHERIAN

By:

Mr. & Mrs. Julio and Maral Reyes

For:

HAROUTUN MADJARIAN

By:

Victoria Madjarian & Family

For:

JOSEPH SIMKA

By:

Maral Simka-Wife and Ani & Joseph-children

For:

CHRIS SETIAN

By:

Seta Cherkoian

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 11, 2024, to Friday February 16,2024

We thank our faithful parishioners

for the generous donations and support of our church.

GENERAL DONATIONS

Week of February 11th, 2024, to February 16th, 2024

Dr. Anita Agzarian and Gus Rendon, Gary and Nina Turpanjian

Anonymous donation for

SAINT SARKIS NAME DAY

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!

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter/X

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