St. James Red Sox Outing
2019-07-15 19:10 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
Join us for a night at Fenway Park! We have reserved group seats on Monday, July 15th, when the Boston Red Sox face the Toronto Blue Jays at 7:10pm. All are welcome! Families, friends, individuals - come out for a night of St. James fellowship and fun. Tickets are $40 per person. Seating is limited - purchase deadline is Friday, June 21st!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (Vartavar)
2019-07-28 | MA
Sunday, July 28th, is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Referred to in Armenian as Aylagerbootyoon or Baydzaragerbootyoon, it is one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church. The feast marks Christ's appearance with a resplendent countenance to three of His disciples, Peter, John, and James, on the holy mountain of Galilee, also known as Mount Tabor. In Armenia, it is also known as Vartavar (the Festival of Roses) after the old pagan feast, which it replaced.
Read 8 Things to Know about the Transfiguration
Download the Transfiguration iBook prepared by the Eastern Diocese.

Feast of the Assumption of Mary (Asdvadzadzin)
2019-08-18 | MA
The Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God (Asdvadzadzin), one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church, falls on Sunday, August 18th this year. This Feast commemorates the bodily ascent of the Virgin Mary (her assumption) into heaven by her son Jesus Christ after her death. Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:00am, followed by the Blessing of Grapes Service.
In accordance with the canons of the Armenian Church, Requiem Services may not be performed on the five major feast days of the Armenian Church. Requests for Requiem Services may be made for the following Sunday, August 25th.
The Blessing of Grapes Service will take place on Sunday, August 18th, following Divine Liturgy. As always, grapes will be needed for the service, and donations for this purpose are gratefully accepted. Those who wish to make a donation are asked to contact the church office. Why do we bless grapes? Read more about this feast day on our website.

St. James Men's Club and Trinity Men's Union Joint Dinner Meeting
2019-09-09 18:15 - 21:00 | Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA, United States
The Trinity Men's Union of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston and the St. James Men's Club of St. James Armenian Apostolic Church are pleased to have Duncan White as their Guest Speaker at their joint dinner meeting, hosted by the Trinity Men's Union, on Monday, September 9, 2019.
Dr. White, an award-winning journalist and academic is Assistant Director of Studies in History and Literature at Harvard University and a lead book reviewer for the Daily Telegraph. His talk will focus on "Writers on the Front Line of the Cold War," and his newly-published book, Cold Warriors: Writers Who Waged the Literary Cold War.
Cold Warriors
In the Cold War, literature was a battleground and books were weapons. Publishing the right story at the right time could make you a hero; writing the wrong story in the wrong place could get you shot. Novels and poems could win hearts and minds of those caught between the competing creeds of capitalism and communism, and vast propaganda operations were initiated to ensure the right books got to the right readers and that the wrong books were kept out of circulation. So seriously was literature taken that the clandestine intelligence services of America, Britain and the Soviet Union all had agents dedicated to its exploitation as cultural warfare.
Drawing on archival research, the latest declassified intelligence files, and a deep understanding of the lives and works of writers of the period, Cold Warriors is the first definitive account of its kind. Author Duncan White vividly chronicles how this ferocious intellectual struggle was waged on both sides of the Iron Curtain. That the stakes were high as the world stood on the brink of nuclear destruction is well-known; what is less well understood is just how important writers were as players in the game.
Cold Warriors focuses on five major writers - George Orwell, Stephen Spender, Mary McCarthy, Graham Greene, and Andrei Sinyavsky - but the full cast includes a dazzling array of literary giants.
Some of the many highlights of the book include:

Ernest Hemingway leading a band of guerrilla fighters in the march on Paris during the Second World War;
George Orwell trying to get Animal Farm published in wartime London, little realizing an undercover KGB agent was pressuring publishers to reject the book;
Anna Akhmatova refusing to bow to Stalin as he makes her the scapegoat in his Cold War purge on any writer with connections to the West;
Graham Greene, drawing on his clandestine meetings with revolutionaries in Cuba to write Our Man in Havana, a novel that anticipated the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Alexandr Solzhenitsyn taking on the Kremlin and the KGB, with the publication of Gulag Archipelago, his explosive history of the Soviet labor camps; and
John le Carre working as an M16 spy in Germany being sent to Berlin as the Wall goes up, and drawing on the experience to write The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.

Cold Warriors is a welcome reminder that writers and books can change the world.
Reservations Requested; Dinner Meeting Open to All
The dinner meeting will be held in the Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall of Holy Trinity Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge. All are welcome to attend.
The social hour begins at 6 p.m., and dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Donation for the losh kebab and kheyma dinner is $15 per person.
RSVP is requested by September 6 by emailing David Dorian at tmuhtaac@gmail.com, or contacting the Holy Trinity Church office, 617.354.0632, office@htaac.org.

Homecoming Sunday! Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
2019-09-15 10:00 - 14:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
Join us as we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and Homecoming Sunday!
DIVINE LITURGY begins at 10:00am.
BLESSING OF BASIL SERVICE and Antasdan (Blessing of the Four Corners of the World) immediately following.
SUNDAY SCHOOL OPENING DAY | Registration starts at 10 am. For more information contact aljalian@comcast.net or lbpurutyan@me.com.
SPECIAL EVENT! Homecoming Celebration following church services - Soujoukh & Eggs Breakfast, bounce houses, food, and fun! All parishioners are welcome to attend.

Hye Cafe - with Live Music!
2019-09-20 18:15 - 20:30 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
Join us for fellowship and delicious Armenian food!

All are welcome to our first Hye Cafe of the season!
FEATURING LIVE ARMENIAN MUSIC!
Leon Janikian - Clarinet
Bob Raphalian - Oud
Joe Sarkisian - Drum and Vocals
Dave Ansbigian - Guitar and Vocals
Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Dinner served at 6:30 p.m.
Reservations may be made for parties of 6 or more by calling the church office at
617-923-8860 no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 19th.
Volunteers appreciated and welcome on Thursday night, September 19th.
for Hye Café preparations! For more information please contact
Linda Sahagian at 617-407-6600 or at hyelinda65@aol.com.
Hye Café began in September 2004, with the intention of bringing families and parishioners together monthly for a night of food, fellowship and fun. It has continued to grow and thrive, becoming a permanent and popular fixture in our parish life. The casual setting makes it easy to dine in and enjoy time with family and friends. Take-out is also available.

Women's Guild Welcome Back Gathering
2019-09-25 18:00 - 20:30 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
ST. JAMES WOMEN'S GUILD
"WELCOME BACK!" FALL GATHERING
Dinner & Workshops
$10 donation per person
RSVP to: Nancy Kassabian
Mirak Hall
Charles Mosesian Cultural & Youth Center
New members welcome!

Mesrob Mashdotz Institute - First Day of Classes
2019-09-30 19:00 - 21:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
Enroll Now! Fall Semester classes begin Monday, September 30 - Are you an adult interested in learning Armenian? It's never too late! Sign up for the Mesrob Mashdotz Institute Western Armenian Language Classes, now in its 38th year. Classes held Monday OR Wednesday nights from 7-9pm. Please e-mail Annie Chekijian for further details.

Men's Club Monthly Dinner Meeting
2019-10-07 18:15 - 21:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
St. James Men’s Club
Next Meeting: Monday, October 7, 2019

Speaker: DR. MYRON ALLUKIAN JR.
Internationally recognized public health expert and the former Dental Director of the City of Boston for 34 years. Dr. Allukian is a past president of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the second dentist in APHA’s then 118-year history and the first Vietnam Veteran to be President of APHA. He served as Chairman of the U.S. Surgeon General's Work Group on Fluoridation and Dental Health for the 1990 Prevention Objectives for the Nation, and the Dental Advisory Committees for Healthy People 2000, 2010, and 2020, the National Prevention Objectives. He is on the faculty of the Schools of Dental Medicine of Harvard, Boston University and Tufts and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine and National Academy of Sciences in 1991. He is also an Honorary Fellow in the Royal Society of Health of Great Britain.
The title of Dr Allukian's presentation is Healthy is Wealthy: How to Live a Healthy and Longer Life. It will include a discussion of health care in the United States with an emphasis on

what determines good or poor health and the impact on our lives by the US health care system and big business
what each individual, family, and society can do to help ensure healthier lifestyles and healthier lives

Losh Kebab and Kheyma Dinner
Social Hour (mezza) 6:15 p.m.
Dinner 7:00 p.m.
$17 per person
St. James Armenian Church
Charles Mosesian Cultural & Youth Center - Keljik Hall
465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown MA
LADIES WELCOME

St. James 72nd Annual Bazaar!
2019-10-18 - 2019-10-19 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
JOIN US FOR OUR 72ND ANNUAL BAZAAR!
DELICIOUS ARMENIAN FOOD - FABULOUS DELICACIES AND PASTRIES -
BOOTHS AND VENDORS - SUPER RAFFLE! $100 RAFFLE - CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES!
CLICK BELOW TO VISIT OUR BAZAAR PAGE FOR FULL DETAILS
WWW.STJAMESWATERTOWN.ORG/BAZAAR

Book Presentation by Dr. Hayk Demoyan
2019-11-03 12:30 - 14:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
All are welcome to attend a special fellowship hour and presentation following Church services.
Dr. Hayk Demoyan will present on his newly released book, "Armenian Churches and Monasteries in the international postcards," a showcase of the unique collection of late 19th-early 20th century antique postcards depicting rare photos and pictorials of the Armenian churches and monasteries. This illustrated volume contains unknown visual documents on the Armenian architectural heritage spread throughout Armenia, Caucasus, Russia, Europe, Asia and America.

Men's Club Monthly Dinner Meeting
2019-11-04 18:15 - 20:30 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
St. James Men’s Club
Next Meeting: Monday, November 4, 2019

Speaker: George Aghjayan
Director of the Armenian Historical Archives and chair of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Central Committee of the Eastern United States.
Mr Aghjayan's topic will be "DNA Testing and Reconnecting Family Ruptured by Genocide".
George Aghjayan is the Director of the Armenian Historical Archives and the chair of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Central Committee of the Eastern United States. Aghjayan graduated with honors from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Actuarial Mathematics. He achieved Fellowship in the Society of Actuaries in 1996. After a career in both insurance and structured finance, Aghjayan retired in 2014 to concentrate on Armenian related research and projects. His primary area of focus is the demographics and geography of western Armenia as well as a keen interest in the hidden Armenians living there today. He is a board member of the National Association of Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), a frequent contributor to the Armenian Weekly and Houshamadyan.org, and the creator and curator westernarmenia.weebly.com, a website dedicated to the preservation of Armenian culture in Western Armenia.
**DUES ($20) FOR 2019-2020 WILL BE COLLECTED AT THIS MEETING**
Losh Kebab and Kheyma Dinner
Social Hour (mezza) 6:15 p.m.
Dinner 7:00 p.m.
$17 per person
St. James Armenian Church
Charles Mosesian Cultural & Youth Center - Keljik Hall
465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown MA

Hye Cafe!
2019-11-08 18:15 - 20:30 | MA
Join us for fellowship and delicious Armenian food!

Live Music by Leon Janikian, Clarinet | Bob Raphalian, Oud | Joe Sarkisian, Drum and Vocals | Dave Ansbigian, Guitar and Vocals.
Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Dinner served at 6:30 p.m.
Reservations may be made for parties of 6 or more by calling the church office at
617-923-8860 no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 7th.
Volunteers appreciated and welcome on Thursday night, November 7th.
for Hye Café preparations! For more information please contact
Linda Sahagian at 617-407-6600 or at hyelinda65@aol.com.
Hye Café began in September 2004, with the intention of bringing families and parishioners together monthly for a night of food, fellowship and fun. It has continued to grow and thrive, becoming a permanent and popular fixture in our parish life. The casual setting makes it easy to dine in and enjoy time with family and friends. Take-out is also available.

Hallmark Christmas Movie Viewing & Potluck
2019-11-16 19:30 - 21:30 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
St. James Hallmarkies - we know you're out there!
Join us for a viewing of a Hallmark Christmas movie premiere, and bring a potluck appetizer/dinner/dessert to share! (You can also feel free to bring a small toy that we can add to our Christmas toy drive.)
For planning, RSVPs are required - please RSVP to info@sthagop.com.

Men's Club Monthly Dinner Meeting
2019-12-02 18:15 - 21:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
St. James Men’s Club
Next Meeting: Monday, December 2, 2019
Our guest speaker will be Christopher F. Bator, US attorney from Cambridge, MA. Mr Bator's topic will be "Violent Crime in the Greater Boston Area". A question and answer session will follow.
A retired US attorney from Cambridge, Mr. Bator now serves on the faculty of the Trial Advocacy Workshop at Harvard Law School. He also currently serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Alma del Mar Charter School in New Bedford, MA.
Mr. Bator prosecuted violent drug, and organized crime cases as an Assistant US Attorney in Boston for more than 27 years. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1976, and his J.D. from Boston University Law School in 1985. He was an associate at Hale and Dorr (now Wilmer Hale) in Boston from 1986-1990.
Losh Kebab and Kheyma Dinner
Social Hour (mezza) 6:15 p.m.
Dinner 7:00 p.m.
$17 per person
Ladies invited
St. James Armenian Church
Charles Mosesian Cultural & Youth Center – Keljik Hall
465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown MA

Sunday School Christmas Nativity Pageant
2019-12-08 12:00 - 13:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
Save the date - Details to follow.

Christmas Family Movie Night!
2019-12-13 18:00 - 20:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
Join us for our 3rd St. James Christmas Family Movie Night! Featuring "The Grinch" (2018 Animated Version). Pizza, Hot cocoa, popcorn, and other snacks will be served! Feel free to wear pajamas or bring sleeping bags and blankets. Complimentary admission.

Women's Guild Christmas Giving Celebration
2019-12-18 18:00 - 21:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States

Hye Cafe - Christmas Edition!
2020-01-10 18:15 - 20:30 | MA
Join us for fellowship and delicious Armenian food, including kebab, falafel, and more!
Live Musical Entertainment!
Reservations for parties of 6 or more may be made by calling the Church office at 617.923.8860 no later than 5pm on Thursday, January 9th.
Volunteers appreciated and welcome on Thursday night, January 9th
for Hye Café preparations! For more information please contact Linda Sahagian at 617-407-6600 or at hyelinda65@aol.com.

Blessing of Children Service
2020-02-16 10:00 - 13:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 - Each year, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple, or Dyarnuntarach, literally meaning "the bringing forward of the Lord." This feast always falls on February 14th, 40 days after the Feast of the Nativity (January 6). It is a beautiful story from the infancy of Jesus, in which he is confirmed as the Holy Messiah or Christ—the world’s long-awaited savior.
Click here to read more about the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
According to Biblical tradition, it was a custom in the Armenian Church for parents to bring their newly-born babies to the Temple of the Lord to present the child to God. In keeping of this tradition, we invite all parents who baptized a child at St. James in 2019, or anyone wishing to receive a blessing for their child, to present their son/daughter to the altar for a special blessing immediately following church services.
Click here to download a picture of the Presentation of the Lord for children to color.

Grand Re-Opening & Dedication Ceremony
2020-02-23 12:30 - 14:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States

First Day of Great Lent
2020-02-24 | MA
Great Lent (Medz Bahk in Armenian) is the 40-day period of spiritual preparation that leads to Easter. It is "great" because it is the longest and most important of all the priods fo fasting and prayers that precede other church feasts. It recalls the 40 days jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness, away from family, friends, food, and all distractions.
Lent begins the Monday following the Sunday of "Poon Paregentan" and lasts forty days to the evening of the Friday before Palm Sunday. The lenten period, including Holy Week, is intended to be one of self-discipline. It is a time for self-examination and self-appraisal toward renewal of lifestyle and improvement of moral and spiritual values. The practice of absitenence may include control over food intake, giving up meat, fish and all other animal foods, such as dairy products and eggs. Lenten sacrifice may also include abstaining from certain pleasure, amusements and festivities, allowing more time for prayers, introspection and church services.
Each Sunday of Lent has a specific name characterizing a basic Christian truth to meditate about. The Sunday preceding Lent, for example, is called Poon Paregentan, which means "good" or "happy living." It is a carnival-like time of indulgence in feasting and merrymaking. Also, it is a reminder of the Christian teaching that man was originally created in happiness, but marred by sin.
Click here for more information about services at St. James during Great Lent.
Text source: 'Welcome to the Armenian Church', printed by the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern)

CANCELED - Lenten Vigil Service
2020-02-26 19:00 - 20:00, 2020-03-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2020-03-11 19:00 - 20:00, 2020-03-18 19:00 - 20:00, 2020-03-25 19:00 - 20:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
Due to regulations related to COVID-19, Wednesday Lenten Vigil Services are canceled.

ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY
2020-03-01 12:30 - 15:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
Open to 2019 Dues-paid members only. All 2019 members are encouraged to attend this annual meeting.

Men's Club Monthly Dinner Meeting
2020-03-02 18:15 - 21:00 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
ST. JAMES MEN’S CLUB
MONTHLY DINNER MEETING
Monday, March 2nd

Speaker: Stewart R. Goff
Our guest speaker will be Stewart R. Goff, RN, MS, who is the new C.E.O of the Armenian Women's Welfare Association and the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (ANRC) in Jamaica Plain. He assumed his new role on May 8, 2019.
Stewart has worked in elder care for over 25 years. His wife Carolyn is Armenian, and it's interesting to note that her grandmother appears in the 1948 black & white photo of AWWA members standing on the front porch of the original nursing home in Jamaica Plain. Stewart's presentation is entitled "The ANRC, Is it Armenian Enough?".
Losh Kebab and Kheyma Dinner
Social Hour (mezza) 6:15 p.m. Dinner 7:00 p.m.
$17 per person
LADIES WELCOME

Hye Cafe (Lenten)
2020-03-06 18:15 - 20:30 | St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, United States
Join us for fellowship and delicious Armenian food
featuring a special Lenten menu:
Vosbov Kheyma, Baked Haddock, Imam Bayeldi, Eech, Falafel, and Pasta!
Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Dinner served at 6:30 p.m.
Reservations may be made for parties of 6 or more by calling the church office at
617-923-8860 no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 5.
Volunteers appreciated and welcome on Thursday night, April 5.
for Hye Café preparations! For more information please contact
Linda Sahagian at 617-407-6600 or at hyelinda65@aol.com.
Hye Café began in September 2004, with the intention of bringing families and parishioners together monthly for a night of food, fellowship and fun. It has continued to grow and thrive, becoming a permanent and popular fixture in our parish life. The casual setting makes it easy to dine in and enjoy time with family and friends. Take-out is also available.
