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FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2018
Second Sunday after the Octave of the Theophany
Բ Կիրակի զկնի Ծննդեան Ութօրեքին
Eve (Paregentan) of the Fast of the Catechumens
Բարեկենդան Առաջաւորաց Պահոց
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Psalms: 8:30 AM
Morning Service: 9:00 AM
Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM
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Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 61:10-62:9; 2 Timothy 2:15-26; John 6:15-21
Click here to read Sunday Scriptures
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FAST OF CATECHUMENS
In the early days of Christianity, the custom was to fast five days before baptism in order to be freed from the evils of the physical world before one’s spiritual rebirth. Thus, St. Gregory the Illuminator ordered King Tiridates and others to fast for five days before their baptisms in honor of this tradition.
However, St. Gregory extended this fasting practice beyond baptism to an annual fast to purify the five human senses from impurities before Great Lent. For this reason, the Fast of Catechumens, which begins three weeks before Great Lent, is also called the “fast of salvation.” In ancient times, people were not allowed to eat anything other than bread and salt during the Fast of Catechumens. On those days celebrating Divine Liturgy was also forbidden. There are two explanations regarding the name of this feast. First, it is the precursor to Great Lent, and second, it is the first specifically Armenian fast—the Fast of Catechumens is particular to the Armenian Church.
At times, the Fast of Catechumens has erroneously been called the Fast of St. Sarkis because the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of St. Sarkis on the Saturday following the fast. In fact, in the Middle Ages, the Byzantine and Georgian Churches falsely accused the Armenian Church of sorcery for tying the Fast of Catechumens to the Feast of St. Sarkis. (According to the testimonies of Armenian medieval writers, the Greek and Catholic Churches also had the Fast of Catechumens in ancient times before abandoning it.)
It should also be noted that the fifth day of the Fast, Friday, is also the day of remembrance of the Prophet Jonah. However, Jonah’s remembrance day is celebrated not as a feast but as a day of reflection in memory of the repentance and abstinence that Jonah preached.
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COMMEMORATION OF THE PROPHET JONAH
 Jonah is one of the minor prophets of the Holy Bible. In the Book of Jonah of the Old Testament is a narrative describing his adventures. By the Lord’s command, Jonah was sent to Nineveh to preach to the heathens, and he tried in every way to disobey God’s command. Alas, his attempts were in vain. By the Lord’s command, a large fish swallowed Jonah, and he remained alive inside the fish for three days and three nights. Only after Jonah’s prayer and redemption did the Lord allow the fish to free Jonah. Now he obeyed the Lord’s command and went back to Nineveh. On the first day as Jonah started for the city, he proclaimed, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” The Ninevites fervently believed in God, thus they declared a fast. And all of them, from the least to the greatest among them, even the king, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they had done and how they had turned away from their evil ways, he had compassion upon them and did not bring upon them the destruction he had previously threatened.
Later, Christ cited the example of Jonah to the Pharisees when they asked for a divine sign, and the Armenian Apostolic Church always commemorates the memory of the Prophet Jonah during the Fast of Catechumens to symbolize that with sincere repentance one may deserve God’s mercy.
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FEAST OF ST. SARKIS THE CAPTAIN, PATRON OF LOVE AND YOUTH, HIS SON MARDIROS AND HIS 14 SOLDIERS
 During the reign of King Kostandianos the Great (285-337), St. Sarkis, being very courageous, was appointed Prince and General-in-Chief of the region of Cappadocia bordering Armenia. Then, during the period of reign of King Julianos the Betrayer (360-363) when Christians were being harshly persecuted, by God’s will St. Sarkis and his only son, Mardiros, came to live in Armenia, and the Armenian ruler, King Tiran, grandson of Tiridates, received them very well.
From Armenia St. Sarkis and his son went on to Persia to serve as the captain of a regiment in King Shapouh’s army. However, when he became aware that Sarkis was Christian, King Shapouh ordered him to worship fire and offer sacrifice to heathen gods. But Captain Sarkis refused to obey the order, saying, “We should worship one God—the Holy Trinity—which created both heaven and earth, for fire and idols are not gods since any human may destroy them.”
After these words St. Sarkis destroyed the temple. The annoyed crowd then fell on him and his son, Mardiros. Mardiros was martyred, and St. Sarkis was put into prison, where, remaining unshaken in his faith, he was eventually beheaded. After the martyrdom of the saint, light appeared over his body. Fourteen of his soldiers/companions were also martyred for their Christian faith.
For the Armenian nation, St. Sarkis is one of the most beloved saints. Many miracles are attributed to his intercession. In fact, St. Mesrop Mashtots brought relics of the saint to the village of Karbi in the Ashtarak Region and built the Church of St. Sarkis over them. In Armenia, it is accepted to celebrate the Feast of St. Sarkis not only according to the rites and prayers of the Church, but also according to various folk traditions. St. Sarkis the Captain is considered the patron saint of youth. On the day of his feast, young people pray to the saint asking him to make their prayers audible to God, in particular their prayers for a happy marriage.
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ST. JAMES ARMENIAN CHURCH APP DESEELK HAS ARRIVED
 DESEELK connects users to a variety of helpful resources: details about upcoming events, the latest posts on St. James' Facebook page, photo galleries and other relevant content. You can share the link to the app via Twitter, Facebook or email.
DESEELK is the quickest, simplest and most convenient way to stay current with the goings on at St. James. Download the app today!!!
St. James official mobile app, DESEELK, is now available for both Adroid and Apple users
 Anroid users can download the app from Google Play store or simply using this link.
Apple users can download it using this link.
Contact church office if you have any questions or need an assistance.
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EVANSTON INTERFAITH ACTION EMERGENCY OVERNIGHT SHELTER
Operating Daily since December 24
 When the temperature reaches 15 degrees, Interfaith Action of Evanston opens an overnight shelter from 9 pm to 7 am at one of its six faith communities, providing warm drinks and a safe place to sleep.
Please consider to VOLUNTEER:
Set-up Volunteers – 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm – set up the cots, prepare rooms, prepare hot drinks and greet guests at 9:00
Overnight Volunteers – 9 pm to 7 am – spend the night to assist the staff person. Lights turned out at10:00. Light sleep possible.
Clean-up Volunteers – 6 to 7 am – help wake guests and ensure on time departure. Assist the supervisor in taking down/storing cots, cleaning up the facility, and preparing the laundry/cots for pickup.
Emergency Shelter volunteer requirements:
- Attend one training session
- Comfortable with email notifications
- Compassionate heart and ability to get along with diverse people
- Listening ear
- Reliable and prompt
- Boundary keeper (Able to enforce rules, not easily manipulated)
Please email Sue Murphy at ia@interfaithactionofevanston.org or Der Hovhan derhovhan@gmail.com if you are interested or for more information.
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OUTREACH COMMITTEE SUGGESTION
Have you ever had a desire to make an impact on others, but weren’t sure how? Have you ever thought about hosting a Sunday Fellowship Table following a hokehankisd, but didn’t want to do all the preparation?
The St. James Outreach Committee would like to suggest that you make a $100 donation to FAR. That $100 would be used to serve a madagh (sacrificial) meal at the soup kitchen for underprivileged Armenians in Armenia.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Der Hovhan or check out www.farusa.org or www.weareayo.org.
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WORSHIP AND
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
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FEASTS AND FASTS
Monday, January 22
First day of the Fast of Catechumens
Tuesday, January 23
Second day of the Fast of Catechumens
Wednesday, January 24
Third day of the Fast of Catechumens
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Thursday, January 25
Fourth day of the Fast of Catechumens
Friday, January 26
Fifth day of the Fast of Catechumens
Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah
Saturday, January 27
Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Mardiros and his 14 Soldiers/Companions
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SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THIS WEEK
Monday - Thursday
No Lections
Friday
Jonah 1:1-4:1
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Saturday
Proverbs 3:13-17; Isiah 41:1-3; Ephesians 6:10-17;
Luke 21:10-19
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SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sundays
10:30 - 12 noon
Pre-K through 8th grade.
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SATURDAY VESPERS
KIRAKAMTITS
Every first Saturday of the month
at 5:00 pm
Conducted in English.
With full participation of the faithful
February 3, March 3, April 7, June 2
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NAME DAY CELEBRATIONS
 Whenever you know a friend or loved one whose Name Day/Feast Day is soon to be celebrated, honor the person by presenting them with a lit candle saying, "Anoonovut abrees" or "Anoonovut dzeranas" ("May you grow old with your name"). Or you can simply say, “Happy Name Day!”
NAME DAY celebrated this week: Jonah, Hovnan, Sarkis, and Mardiros.
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14th ANNUAL POON PAREGENTAN DINNER & DANCE
 Saturday, February 3rd, 2018
at Avalon Banquet Hall
1905 E Higgins Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
“Come Celebrate with the Kef Time Legacy Band"
Featuring the Families of the Legendary
Richard Hagopian and Khachig Kazarian
Deadline for dinner tickets is January 21
For more details see the flyer.
For additional information and tickets contact:
Christina Markarian 847-826-6275 christina1@lmkinc.com or
Troy Farsakian 224-456-9990 troyboy521@gmail.com
or visit.www.poonparegentan.com
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COMMUNITY E-NEWSLETTER
 Click here to access our recent Community E-Newsletter featuring numerous events (community gatherings, concerts, presentations, community worship services, etc.) made available to you by various organizations of Chicagoland as well as a combined calendar of those events and Armenian summer festivals and picnics. |
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E-BULLETIN: YOUTH ISSUE
 Click here to access our recent "E-bulletin: Youth Issue" featuring numerous programs (camps, retreats, training, scholarships, etc) made available to you by our parish, the Diocese, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, and the AGBU.
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HOME BLESSING
 All parishioners who wish to have their homes blessed should call Der Hovhan (847) 644-7389 to make arrangements. Have a piece of bread, dish of salt and glass of water available for the blessing.
Click here to read more about home blessing.
Click here to watch new Episode of the Eastern Diocese's Video Series
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PHOTO GALLERY
 Have you checked our photo gallery recently?
Click here to see our recent photos.
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DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTER
Click here to read the latest eNewsletter of the Eastern Diocese.
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St. James Armenian Apostolic Church