St. James Armenian Church Of Sacramento Celebrates 65Th Anniversary Of Consecration

On May 20, 2018, the Feast of the Pentecost, His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. James Armenian Church. With the assistance of the Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan, Parish Priest, the Primate ordained Sub-Deacon Ara Kabaklian into the Diaconate during the service. His Eminence offered words of encouragement to the newly ordained deacon, exhorting the altar server to serve Christ, our Lord and the Armenian Church with renewed zeal and wholeheartedness.

Archbishop Derderian also commended the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan in leading the faithful on the path to righteousness and the collective efforts of the auxiliary bodies of the Sacramento Parish in becoming the light of the Gospel of Christ, our Lord in their respective community.

Gala Banquet

On Saturday, May 19, 2018 under the auspices of the Diocesan Primate His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, St. James Armenian Church of Sacramento celebrated the 65th anniversary of its consecration with a gala banquet.

In recognition of their selfless tenured service rendered to the parish, Mr. and Mrs. Mikhail and Tsoghik Sarukhanyan, and Mrs. Narine Khachiyan were honored by the Primate with the Hye Spirit Award.

Seta Bakalian and Vrezh Darbinyan were presented with Certificates of Blessing and Commendation in recognition of their service to the parish. The Zarton Dance Group received a special recognition with a certificate for Cultural Advancement in the Armenian-American community of Sacramento.

History of St. James Armenian Church of Sacramento

In January 1929, a group of ten women came together to organize the Ladies Aid Society of the Armenain Church in Sacramento.

Until 1951, Church services were held on Christmas and Easter and on other special occasions by visiting priests.

During a joint meeting of the Trustees of St. Vartan Armenian Church and the Ladies Aid in July 1951, it was decided to purchase the property at 3240 B Street. Under the leadership of architect Sarkis Shirinian, the church building was remodeled to meet the requirements for consecration. With the consecration of St. James Armenian Church in Sacramento, in 1953, the Armenians of the Capital City of California had their own spiritual home.

The first Divine Liturgy in Sacramento was celebrated by Bishop Karekin Khachaturian on January 10, 1930 in the Episcopal Church.

1^st Permanent Priest

Bedros Kassardjian (1951 – 1957)

Visiting Priests

Fr. Theodoros Isahagian (1930s)

Fr. Bdros Hagopian (1940s)

Fr. Artoon Sempadian (mid-1970s)

Parish Priests

Fr. Haygaser V. Bayramian (1961-1966)

Fr. Sasoon Zumrookhdian (1985-1990)

Fr. Asbed V. Balian (1990-1992)

Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian (1992-2006)

Fr. Asoghig Jamgochian (2006-2016)

Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan (2016 – Present)