ST. JAMES OF NISIBIS ARMENIAN

APOSTOLIC ORTHODOX CHURCH

ՍԲ. ՅԱԿՈԲ ՄԾԲՆԱՑԻ ՀԱՅՐԱՊԵՏ

ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԵԱՅՑ ԱՌԱՔԵԼԱԿԱՆ ԵԿԵՂԵՑԻ Rev. Father Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, Pastor

816 Clark Street, Evanston, IL 60201 Tel: 847-864-6263, e-mail: office@stjamesevanston.org

www.stjamesevanston.org

OCTOBER 28, 2018 ՀՈԿՏԵՄԲԵՐ 28, 2018

Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross ԳԻՒՏ ԽԱՉԻ

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY

Armenian Historical Year 4511 (ՏԺԱ) - Armenian Calendrical Year 1468 (ՌՆԿԸ)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2018 NO. 44/2018 Psalms 8:30 AM

Morning Service 9:00 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Bible Readings Wisdom 14:1-8 Isaiah 33:22-34:1

1 Corinthians 1:18-24 Matthew 24:27-36

ԿԻՐԱԿԻ, ՀՈԿՏԵՄԲԵՐ 28, 2018

Սաղմոսներ 8:30

Արաւոտեան ժամ 9:00

Սուրբ Պատարագ 10:00

Ընթերցումներ Իմաստութիւն 14:1-8 Եսայի 33:22-34:1

Ա Կորնթացիներ 1:18-24 Մատթէոս 24:27-36

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY Children’s confession

Communion

Children’s Sermon

VALENTINE IN NOVEMBER

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK

Arb. Mesrob Moutafian Alexander Adajian Saro Anbarchian Andre, Servant of God Carolyn Conger Veronica Dadourian Sam Davidson Seda Dilanjian Karen Gevorgyan

Vartges Goorji

Hoyle Green Michael Green Nargez Hamayak Fred Harburg

Robert Lapointe Trey McClure Varvara Movsesyan Shirley Omartian

Dn. Hagop Papazian

Nanci Perkhaus Anik Sarkis Virgie Jandegian Saskowski Surpik Simon Fr. Shnork Souin Vigen Ter-Avakian Milan Thakkar Terre Tuzzolino Carla Ziegler

If you know of anyone that needs our special prayers, please call the church

office (847) 864-6263) or Der Hovhan (847) 644-7389 so that their names can be

included on this list or if a name should be removed.

Armenian Dance Company of Chicago

BAKE AND CRAFT SALE FUNDRAISER AND PERFORMANCE

Sunday, Octobe 28, 2018

After Badarak

FASTING FOR HOLY COMMUNION

The Holy Communion is one of the important sacraments for the salvation of

Christians and for the nourishment of our souls. Holy Communion is a sacrament

by which the believer receives Christ’s Body and Blood in the form of bread and

wine for remission of sins and the reception of eternal life. It is offered to the

faithful during the celebration of Badarak.

For person in good health, it is necessary to fast, abstain from food and

participate in the sacrament of Cenfession before receiving Holy Communion.

For those of ill health who are on special medication, a light breakfast is

permitted. Fir the evening Badarak, fasting should begin after the midday meal

and continue until the evening Badarak has been celebrated.

FEAST OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE HOLY CROSS

The Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross is one of the

four feasts dedicated to the Holy Cross. In 327 AD,

Heghineh (Helena), the Mother of the Byzantine King

Kostandianos (Constantine), visited Jerusalem with the

aim to search the Holy Cross of the Lord. A Jew named

Judas helped the King’s mother search the site where

Christ was crucified, Golgotha. As a result of the search,

the wooden crosses of Christ and the two criminals

crucified together with him were found. In order to

identify our Lord’s Cross, the remains of a young man were put on each of the

three crosses. On one of the crosses the young man arose, and thus the Lord’s

Cross was identified. After that miracle, Judas, the Jew, converted to Christianity

and later became Bishop Cyril of Jerusalem. After the discovery of the Holy

Cross, Heghineh renovated the Holy Places of Jerusalem and built the Church of

the Holy Resurrection of Golgotha, where later our Lord’s Cross was installed.

FEASTS AND FASTS

October 29 Commemoration of Saints Anastasius the Priest, Varus the

Soldier, Theodota and her sons, and those who were martyred

with her October 30 Saints Hipparchus and his Companions Who were Martyred in

Samosata, and Saints Severianus of Sebastia and Babylas and his

84 Disciples October 31 Fast

November 1 Commemoration of Saint John Chrysostom

November 2 Fast

November 3 Commemoration of All Saints, the old and the new, the known

and the unknown

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Իմաստություն Սողոմոնի 14:1-8

1 Դարձեալ. եթէ մէկը, նաւ բարձրանալով, կամենում է

ճանապարհորդել ամեհի ալիքների վրայով, օգնութեան է կանչում

այդ փայտին, որն աւելի տկար է, քան նաւի տախտակը, 2 քանի որ

թէեւ նաւը ստեղծուել է շահի ցանկութիւնից, եւ ճարտարապետն էլ

իմաստութեամբ է կառուցել, 3 սակայն քո նախախնամութիւնն է,

Հա՛յր, որ վարում է այն, որովհետեւ դու ես, որ ծովի մէջ ճանապարհ

եւ ալիքների մէջ ապահով շաւիղ ես տուել՝ 4 ցոյց տալով, թէ ամէն

ինչից կարող ես փրկել մինչեւ իսկ նրան, ով ծով է մտել նոյնիսկ

առանց փորձ ունենալու: 5 Բայց դու կամենում ես, որ քո

իմաստութեան գործը զուր չանցնի, դրա համար էլ մարդիկ իրենց

անձերը վստահում են չնչին փայտին եւ, շրջելով ալիքների վրայով,

փրկւում աննշան լաստի շնորհիւ: 6 Արդարեւ, հէնց սկզբից, երբ

կործանւում էին ամբարտաւան հսկաները, աշխարհի յոյսը,

ապաւինելով լաստանաւին եւ ղեկավարուելով քո ձեռքով, փրկուեց,

որ աշխարհի վրայ սերունդ լինի. 7 քանզի օրհնեալ է այն փայտը, որով

արդարութիւն է լինում, 8 եւ անիծեալ է ձեռակերտ կուռքը, ինչպէս

նաեւ այն շինողը, որովհետեւ նա կերտեց, իսկ այս եղծանելին

աստուած անուանուեց:

Եսայու մարգարեությունը 33:22-34:1

22 Տէրն է մեր հայրը, Տէրն է մեր դատաւորը, Տէրն է մեր իշխանը,

Տէրն է մեր թագաւորը, Տէրն է մեր փրկիչը, նա է փրկելու մեզ: 23

Կտրուեցին քո պարանները, որովհետեւ չդիմացան, կայմն էլ թեքուեց

եւ չի բացելու առագաստը ու չի պարզելու դրօշը մինչեւ կորստեան

մատնուելը: 24 Այնուհետեւ բազում կաղեր աւարառութիւն պիտի

կատարեն: Ժողովուրդը, որ բնակւում է դրանց մէջ, չպիտի ասի, թէ՝

տանջուեցինք, որովհետեւ նրա մեղքերին թողութիւն է լինելու:

34 1 Մօ՛տ եկէք ու լսեցէ՛ք, ո՛վ հեթանոսներ, ակա՛նջ դրէք, ո՛վ

իշխաններ. թող լսի երկիրը՝ իր մէջ գտնուողների հետ, աշխարհը՝ իր

մէջ ապրող ժողովուրդների հետ:

1 Կորնթացիներ 1:18-24 Արդարեւ խաչին քարոզութիւնը յիմարութիւն է անոնց համար՝ որ կը

կորսուին, իսկ մեզի համար՝ որ փրկուած ենք՝ Աստուծոյ զօրութիւնն

է: 19Որովհետեւ գրուած է. «Իմաստուններուն իմաստութիւնը պիտի

կորսնցնեմ, ու խելացիներուն խելքը պիտի ջնջեմ»: 20Ո՞ւր է

իմաստունը, ո՞ւր է դպիրը, ո՞ւր է այս աշխարհի վիճաբանողը. միթէ

Աստուած չյիմարացո՞ւց այս աշխարհի իմաստութիւնը: 21Արդարեւ՝

քանի աշխարհը իր իմաստութեամբ չճանչցաւ Աստուած՝ անոր

իմաստութեան մէջ, Աստուած բարեհաճեցաւ քարոզութեան

յիմարութեամբ փրկել անո՛նք՝ որ կը հաւատան. 22որովհետեւ

Հրեաները նշան կը պահանջեն, եւ Յոյները իմաստութիւն կը

փնտռեն, 23իսկ մենք կը քարոզենք խաչեալ Քրիստոսը,

գայթակղութիւն՝ Հրեաներուն, ու յիմարութիւն՝ Յոյներուն. 24բայց

անոնց որ կանչուած են, թէ՛ Հրեաներուն եւ թէ Յոյներուն, Քրիստոսը՝

Աստուծոյ զօրութիւնը եւ Աստուծոյ իմաստութիւնը.

ՄԱՏԹԷՈՍ 24:27-36 Քանի որ ինչպէս փայլակը կ՚ելլէ արեւելքէն ու կ՚երեւնայ մինչեւ

արեւմուտք, ա՛յնպէս պիտի ըլլայ մարդու Որդիին գալուստը:

28Որովհետեւ ո՛ւր որ դիակ կայ, հո՛ն պիտի հաւաքուին

արծիւները»: 29«Եւ այդ օրերու տառապանքէն անմի՛ջապէս ետք՝

արեւը պիտի խաւարի ու լուսինը պիտի չտայ իր փայլը. աստղերը

պիտի իյնան երկինքէն, երկինքի զօրութիւնները պիտի սարսին,

30եւ ա՛յն ատեն մարդու Որդիին նշանը պիտի երեւնայ երկինքի մէջ:

Այն ատեն երկրի բոլոր տոհմերը պիտի հեծեծեն, ու պիտի տեսնեն

մարդու Որդին՝ որ կու գայ երկինքի ամպերուն վրայ, զօրութեամբ

ու մեծ փառքով: 31Եւ ան պիտի ղրկէ իր հրեշտակները

բարձրաձայն փողով, ու պիտի հաւաքեն իր ընտրեալները չորս

հովերէն, երկինքի մէկ ծայրէն մինչեւ միւս ծայրը»: 32«Թզենիէ՛ն

սորվեցէք առակ մը. երբ անոր ոստերը կակուղնան եւ տերեւները

ցցուին՝ կը հասկնաք թէ ամառը մօտ է: 33Նո՛յնպէս դուք՝ երբ

տեսնէք այս բոլոր բաները, գիտցէ՛ք թէ մօտ է՝ դռներուն

քով:34Ճշմա՛րտապէս կը յայտարարեմ ձեզի. “Այս սերունդը պիտի

չանցնի, մինչեւ որ այս բոլոր բաները ըլլան”: 35Երկինք ու երկիր

պիտի անցնին, բայց իմ խօսքերս բնա՛ւ պիտի չանցնին»: 36«Իսկ

այդ օրն ու ժամը՝ ո՛չ մէկ մարդ գիտէ, ո՛չ ալ երկինքի հրեշտակները,

հապա՝ միա՛յն իմ Հայրս:

Wisdom 14:1-8

Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass through the raging waves,

calleth upon a piece of wood more rotten than the vessel that carrieth him. 2 For

verily desire of gain devised that, and the workman built it by his skill. 3 But thy

providence, O Father, governeth it: for thou hast made a way in the sea, and a

safe path in the waves; 4 Shewing that thou canst save from all danger: yea,

though a man went to sea without art. 5 Nevertheless thou wouldest not that the

works of thy wisdom should be idle, and therefore do men commit their lives to a

small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel are saved. 6 For

in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world

governed by thy hand escaped in a weak vessel, and left to all ages a seed of

generation. 7 For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness cometh. 8 But that

which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as he that made it: he, because he

made it; and it, because, being corruptible, it was called god.

Isaiah 33:22-34:1 For the LORD is our judge, The LORD is our lawgiver, The LORD is our king; He will save us— 23Your tackle hangs slack; It cannot hold the base of its mast firmly, Nor spread out the sail. Then the prey of an abundant spoil will be divided; The lame will take the plunder. 24And no resident will say, “I am sick”; The people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity. Draw near, O nations, to hear; and listen, O peoples! Let the earth and all it contains hear, and the world and all that springs from it.

1 Corinthians 1:18-24

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who

are being saved it is the power of God.

19For it is written, “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.” 20Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age?

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom

of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-

pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who

believe. 22For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23but

we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,

24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God

and the wisdom of God.

MATTHEW 24:27-36 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will

be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the

vultures will gather.29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun

will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall

from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will

appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth

will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven

with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud

trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end

of heaven to the other. 32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its

branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is

near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the

very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all

these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will

not pass away. 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even

the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. (ESV)

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THIS WEEK

Monday: Proverbs 3:1-6; Jeremiah 17:7-8; 2 Timothy 2:3-10;

Matthew 19:27-29

Tuesday: Proverbs 12:8-13; Isaiah 49:8-11; 2

Corinthians 4:6-14; John 16:1-4

Wednesday: Galatians 5:16-26; Luke 7:36-48

Thursday: Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 20:25-38; John 15:17-25

Friday: Galatians 6:1-13; Luke8:4-16

Saturday: Wisdom 3:1-8; Isaiah 33:5-8; Hebrew 11:32-12:2; Luke 12:4-9

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: Anastas, Varos, John, Hovhannes

MIDDAY HYMN Discovery of the Holy Cross

Today the God-loving Queen seeks the precious wood of the cross placed on

Golgotha, Come, you faithful, worship the divine holy sign.

Today Golgotha gives us what had been hidden in the earth by the help of

blessed Judas brought out in the burning of incense, Come, you faithful, let us

adore the divine holy sign.

Today by the saving holy sign the dead young man is returned to life, and Satan

bewails his fall, but let us who believe in Christ adore the divine holy sign. (translated by Father Thomas Doyle)

Ö²ÞàÆ Þ²ð²Î²Ü

Այսօր Խնդրի Պատուական (Գիւտ Խաչի)

Այսօր աստւոածասէր թագուհիին միջոցաւ Գողգոթայի մէջ պահուած

պատուական խաչափայտը կը փնտռուի, եկէք հաւատացեալներ,

երկրպագենք աստւոածային սուրբ խաչին:

Այսօր Գողգոթան՝ երանելի Յուդային միջոցաւ կ՝ընծայէ երկրի մէջ

ծածկուածը, անուշահոտ խունկով վերբերելով զայն, եկէք

հաւատացեալներ, երկրպագենք աստուածային սուրբ խաչին:

Այսօր մեռած պատանին փրկական սուրբ խաչին միջոցաւ կը

կենդանանայ եւ Սատանան իր կործանումը կ՛ողբայ, իսկ մենք

Քրիստոսի հաւատացողներս, երկրպագենք աստուածային սուրբ

խաչին: (²ß˳ñѳµ³ñÇ í»ñ³Í»ó º÷ñ»Ù ²ñù. ³峷»³Ý)

BIBLE STUDY SERIES

12 HEROES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

12 sessions on Wednesdays

October 3 (7 - 8 pm)

Johan: Running from God

Read: Jonah 1:1-3:3

October 17 (7 - 8 pm)

Hannah: Praying in Pain

Read: 1 Samuel 1

November 7 (7 - 8 pm)

Samuel: Hearing God’s Voice

Read: 1 Samuel 3

November 21 (7 - 8 pm)

Abraham: Following God’s

Call

Read: Genesis 12

December 5 (7 - 8 pm)

Caleb and Joshua:

Overcoming the Impossible

Read: Numbers 13:26- 14:10

November 19 (7 - 8 pm)

Elijah: Knowing God’s Power

Read: 1 Kings 18:16-40

January 2 (7 - 8 pm)

Achan: Sin in the Community

Read: Joshua 7

January 16 (7 - 8 pm)

King Saul:

Doing Almost All of God’s Will

Read: 1 Samuel 15:1-23

February 6 (7 - 8 pm)

Daniel: Tempted to

Compromise

Read: Daniel 1

February 20 (7 - 8 pm)

Esther: Saying Yes to God

Read: Esther 4

March 6 (6-7 pm)

David: Loving Your Enemy

Read 1 Samuel 24

March 20 (6-7 pm)

Moses: Seeking Justice

Read: Exodus 2:11-25

“To get the full flavor of an herb, it must be pressed

between the fingers, so it is the same with the Scriptures;

the more familiar they become, the more they reveal their

hidden treasures and yield their indescribable riches.”

John Chrysostom, A.D. 347-407

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

Jerome, A.D. 340-420

PILL BOTTLES FOR HAITI

The St. James Armenian Apostolic Church Outreach Committee, in conjunction

with the Evanston Lions Club and other Evanston churches, will now be

collecting clean used pill bottles for the Haitian Family Medical Relief Project.

“A person living in Haiti who is ill but lucky enough to see a doctor has two

choices of how to get the medicine back home: wrapped in paper or placed

directly into his or her diseased hand,” reported the Evanston Round

Table (1/24/2018).

Please place your clean pill bottles in the container in Nishan Hall.

Thank you for recycling for this special purpose.

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.

CARE FOR CREATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

"There's a ton of plastic garbage for every person on earth," reports the

Washington Post (July 20, 2017, page A13). "Seven billion tons of plastic is stuck

on Earth in landfills, recycled trash, or pollution in the environment, including

deep oceans where it's been discovered in the mouths of whales and the bellies of

dead seabirds that mistook it for food." To mitigate, we must go back to first

principles--reduce, reuse, and recycle, but also refuse plastic as often as possible

in favor of biodegradable or compostable materials. Always use washable, cloth

bags for grocery and other purchases.

COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES

by ACYOA Jr. and Sr.

Care Packages for Collage members of ACYOA

Please contact Irina if you would like to send a care pakage to your student.

DOWNLOAD 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.

ALTAR FLOWERS

Please consider donating flowers to adorn the Holy Altar. You may either bring

flowers or make a monetary donation towards the purchase. Sign-up sheet is in

Nishan Hall.

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²ÝáÝù« áñáÝù ÏÁ ÷³÷³ùÇÝ Çñ»Ýó բݳϳñ³ÝÝ»ñÁ ûñÑÝ»É ï³É« ÃáÕ

բ³ñ»Ñ³×ÇÝ Ñ»é³Ó³ÛÝ»É î¿ñ ÚáíѳÝÇÝ (847) 644-7389:

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.

2018 MEMBERSHIP DUES

If you are not already a 2018 dues-paid member, please consider becoming

one. Members must pay dues by December 31 in order to be eligible to

vote during the Parish Assembly on January 2019.

Do you know that now you can pay your dues with your credit card? Ask Vahan

Janjigian or Vartan Paylan or make a secure payment on our website.

SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP SERVICES

Every Sunday: Morning Service at 9 am

Divine Liturgy at 10 am

Every Tuesday: Midday Prayer at 12 noon

Every first Wednesday: Prayer for the Healing at 8 pm

Every third Wednesday: Intercessory Prayer Service at 8 pm

Every first Saturday: Vespers- Kirakamtits at 5 pm

PASTORAL CARE

Fr. Hovhan is available 24 hours for spiritual guidance and support.

Please contact him to make arrangements for any of the following

Sacraments or Pastoral Services:

Baptisms, Cemetery Blessings, Counseling, Engagement Service (Blessing

of the Rings), Funerals, Hokehankisd, House Blessings, Pastoral Visits,

Prayers for the Sick, Pre-marital consultation, Private Confession, and

Visitations to the Sick.

Call the Church office at (847)864-6263 or Fr. Hovhan’s cell phone at

(847) 644-7389 or e-mail: derhovhan@gmail.com

ST. JAMES ARMENIAN CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Academic Year 2018-2019

Every Sunday 10:30 am - noon

All ages are welcome!

Bible study, Cultural education, Fellowship and FUN!

HEALING PRAYER CARD

You can also request prayer cards offering special prayers of healing for sick or

injured relatives, friends, neighbors, acquaintances and colleagues regardless of

their faith or ethnicity and whether or not they are part of the church family for

any Sunday of the year. The prayer card will be sent to the person for whom

prayers are being offered by the church office. The name of the person and the

one making the request will be posted in the Sunday bulletin on the day of the

prayer offering. The person for whom prayers are requested will also be

remembered by name during Divine Liturgy.

If you have any questions, please, speak to Fr. Hovhan or email him

derhovhan@gmail.com.

LEASE RECYCLE THIS BULLETIN

St. James Church is committed to Creation care. Please recycle

this bulletin by taking it with you and use the information

throughout the week or leave it at the back of the sanctuary. You

can also deposit it in the recycling receptacle in the Nishan Hall

as you leave. Thank you!

Writing above the main altar: "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to

you." (James 4:8)

OUR PATRON SAINT JAMES OF NISIBIS

A beloved and prominent saint not only to the Syriac,

Church but also to the Armenians. He was born, raised,

worked and died in the city of Nisibis which today is

known as Nusbyien a city in Southeastern Turkey. He

passed his early years studying and with spiritual

upbringing. In his young adulthood he withdrew to the

desert to live and pray as an ascetic. When the bishop of

Nisibis died two candidates emerged from two

conflicting groups of the population. However, with the

advice of the hermit Maroukeh, everyone focused on

James the hermit and summoned him from the desert and

ordained him bishop in 320 A.D. in Amida.

The life of St. James is filled with incidents of miracles,

which simply witnesses the fact of the broad popularity

of this spiritual leader. He had been a disciple of the

hermit Maroukeh and he in turn had been a teacher of

Ephraem the Syrian Priest, a great patristic writer. He was present in 325 A.D. at

the Council of Nicaea where according to tradition he enjoyed great respect from

the Emperor Constantine and the attendees of the council. He became one of the

great champions of the orthodoxy of the Christian Church against Arius and

Arianism, which were condemned at the Council of Nicaea. Two or three times

he saved his city from Persian invasion with his prayers. Although subjected to

persecutions and tortures prior to becoming a cleric during the persecution of

Maximianos, nevertheless he died peacefully at an old age in 338 A.D.

His relics, of which there are many, were taken to Constantinople in 970 A.D.

and were the object of great honor in the imperial city. Once Maroukeh (St.

James’ teacher and mentor in the monastery where Maroukeh was the abbot) said

to St. James that the people had strong doubts about the great flood and the story

of Noah’s Ark. Maroukeh said, “The ark rested here on the nearby Cordoyenes

Mountains”, known to the Armenians as “Ararat”. St. James was filled with the

passion to quash these doubts [that the Ark might not be on Ararat] and hence he

went to the mountain of Ararat and rested at the base of the mountain prior to his

ascent up the mountain. An angel of God came to him in a dream that he should

endure the struggle to ascent to the very top of the mountain, in view of the fact

that a piece of the ark was near to where his head rested. James took this piece

with great joy and brought it to Maroukeh, who seeing this was filled with joy

and taking this put it to his eye and then kissed it. According to the tradition, a

cold stream having healing and miraculous qualities appeared in the place where

St. James had laid down. In the future a church bearing the saint’s name was built

nearby the stream. The piece of the Ark is currently kept in the museum of the

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.