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Sunday, March 25, 2018
Կիրակի, Մարտ 25, 2018
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PALM SUNDAY
ԾԱՂԿԱԶԱՐԴ ԿԻՐԱԿԻ
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Psalms: 8:30 AM
Morning Service: 9:00 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
Opening of the Doors
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Scripture Readings:
Song of Solomon 1:1-2:3;
Zechariah 9:9-15;
Philippians 4:4-7; Matthew 20:29-21:17
Click here to read Sunday Scriptures
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BLESSING OF THE CHILDREN
INSTALLATION OF ACYOA OFFICERS
PALM SUNDAY LUNCHEON
hosted by St. James’ Women’s Guild and ACYOA
Immediately following church services Nishan Hall
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PALM SUNDAY
 One week before the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of Palm Sunday, celebrating the Triumphant Entry of Christ into Jerusalem.
Jesus comes into Jerusalem riding atop a donkey and the people gather to meet Him with reverence, thus fulfilling the words of the prophet from the Old Testament.
The Gospel of St. Matthew, in relating the story, refers to the prophecy, "All this was done, that it might be fulfilled, that which was spoken by the prophet, saying, "Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you! He is humble and sitting on an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass." (Mt 21:4-5).
On His arrival, a large crowd of people gathers to greet Him, and spread their cloaks on the road before Him, while others cut branches from palm trees and place them on the path. The crowd exclaims: "Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that comes in the Name of the Lord" (Jn 12:13).
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
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BLESSING OF THE PALM BRANCHES
 Distributing blessed palm branches to the faithful on the feast of Palm Sunday is one of the spiritual customs of the Armenian Church as well as of the other Churches belonging to the Universal Church.
In commemoration of Lord's triumphant entry to Jerusalem with greetings of the tree branches, blessed olive and palm branches are distributed to the faithful, according to the ancient tradition of Christian Churches, on the feast of "Our Lord's entrance to Jerusalem on a donkey" (Palm Sunday). These branches symbolically admonish them to grow, blossom and give fruit by the divine graces gifted to them and keep the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ, " But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." (Matthew 13:23).
It is tradition for the blessed branches to be kept the whole year round until the next Palm Sunday. It is desirable that the blessed branches should decorate the sacred corner of the home.
After replacing the old branches with the new ones the former ones must be burnt. According to accepted tradition the old branches are burnt during the fire lit on the eve of the Feast of the Lord's Presentation to the Temple ( Tyarnendaraj).
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WORSHIP AND
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
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St . James Armenian Church will observe Holy Week with a series of special services, culminating in the Easter Sunday celebration on April 1. A special liturgical schedule will be in effect for these services; please make a note of the times.
March 24 - April 1, 2018
Click here for complete schedule of services. |
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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: Osan, Osanna, Hovsanna, Osig (March 25).
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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
April 7, June 2
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ՄԵՌԵԼՈՑ – MERELOTZ - DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
 It is a solemn tradition that on the day following the 5 major feast days of the Armenian Church, a day is observed in memory of those who have passed away, and are asleep in Jesus Christ. On this day, the faithful will visit the grave sides of their dearly departed, and the priest will offer requiem prayers for their souls. According to tradition, a special Divine Liturgy is also held on these days, when the faithful can remember the names of all of the faithful for whom we pray for eternal life. These Divine Liturgies are not typically celebrated in the Diaspora, because of people’s work schedules, but the faithful are invited to offer the names of the faithful to be prayed for during the Divine Liturgy celebrated the following Sunday.
If you would like to observe this tradition on the Sunday following a major feast day, which includes Christmas, Easter, Feast of the Transfiguration, Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary, and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, please contact the Church Office or Der Hovhan. The next Merelotz Hokehankisd will be offered on April 8 th.
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ST. JAMES’ 75th ANNIVERSARY
 The year 2020 marks the 75th Anniversary - Diamond Jubilee - of St. James Armenian Church, Evanston. In order to mark the historic milestone of our church, the Parish Council is seeking volunteers to form a committee to undertake the activities for a year-long celebration for our community. Please see Der Hovhan or a Parish Council member to offer your support. Thank you
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HELP NEEDED
An elderly parishioner, recovering from heart surgery, is in need of a caregiver in the Lisle/Naperville area. The parishioner is searching for someone who can drive and preferable work full-time. The caregiver may be live-in or live nearby. If you are interested, please contact Linda Althoff, lealthoff@aol.com.
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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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DOWNLOAD AND START USING ST. JAMES ARMENIAN CHURCH APP DESEELK
 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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DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTER
Click here to read the latest eNewsletter of the Eastern Diocese.
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St. James Armenian Apostolic Church