a lenten
journey

We're so glad you've decided to take this 40 day journey with us. Here you will find a daily podcast from Fr. Vazken for each of these 40 days of Lent. Each podcast will provide the spiritual nourishment for our soul, just as bread provides nourishment for our bodies. As our Lord Jesus Christ said, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' Matthew 4:4.
***We are very excited to announce that this podcast will continue into Holy Week! Please follow along at epostle.net/easter

Day 40 - An appropriate - perhaps the ONLY - way to bring the Lenten season to an end as Fr. Vazken ties it all together around the theme of worship. The importance of Love in the daily diet of life.
Prayer: Meditation on the True Vine (John 15);
Songs: Selections from Music of Armenia - Medieval Sharagans (CD2) and from "Crossing" by Arax;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 39 - The Transforming and Transfiguring power of Jesus as he engages us as Light and Salt. Christian Responsibility in the post-Lenten days.
Prayer: "Norasdeghtzyal" by St. Nersess Shnorhali;
Music: "In the Times of India" (Divinities) and Fly by Night by Ian Anderson;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 38 - Finding the prescription for happiness, given to us by Jesus as the Beatitudes. It starts to make sense now, at the end of our Lenten Journey.
Prayer: "Kiss of Peace Hymn";
Song: Night Ark in Wonderland and "Kiss of Peace" from Focused Vision;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 37 - Nicodemus asks. Jesus replies. We live it. And we live it again. From above or anew, it’s a call for renewal in Christ. Reflections on John 3.
Prayer: Armenian Prayer for Guidance;
Song: Selections from Speghani Choir, Yerevan;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 36 - Taking a holistic approach to being a Christian - involving all of our senses, as we wind down the Lenten Season on this last week. Being a “Disciple of Christ” means something new and exciting for us today.
Prayer/Thought: "Costly & Cheap Grace" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer;
Music: "Boil the Breakfast Early" by the Cheiftans;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 35 - Being prepared for the Last Days is a riddle with answers BEYOND the Book of Revelation. It's the Sunday of Advent with a meditation on the Second Coming of Christ. How? When? Where?
Prayer: "Sheep & Goats" - parable by Jesus Christ (NIV);
Music: Jethro Tull "Lifebeats" (A Passion Play);
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 34 - Commemorating St. Gregory's admission into the Pit, a reflection on the Christian vantage point of farsightedness - to see the Empty Tomb of Easter while standing at the Cross of Christ.
Prayer by St. Gregory the Illuminator;
Music: "Kiss of Peace" by the Winds of Passion; "Prayer of St. Gregory for Strings and Trumpet" by Alan Hovhanness;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 33 - Along the path of the fifth week of Lent, prayer, trust, faith and putting away anxiety by trusting God and expanding our faith. A meditation on Jesus' words in Matthew 6.
Prayer by Alexander Solzhenitsyn;
Music by Winds of Passion - Songs of the Divine Liturgy;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 32 - Trusting the love within us by Trusting God. We trust through a learning process that removes fear and chaos in our lives. We now move from a walk of faith to a path of action during this Lenten Season.
Prayer of Trust;
Music: "Amen Hayr Sourp" Yerevan Women's Choir;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 31 - Does God have power over evil? The answer is in his definition of Love and the Power of the Crucifixion and ultimately Resurrection. Here we find God’s answer to our ultimate prayer. A continuing meditation on the Problem of Evil - why cancer? why earthquakes? and why to innocent people?
Prayer: St. Patrick's Breastplate;
Music - "Arevakal" by the Seminarians of the Vazkenian Seminary at Lake Sevan;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 30 - A deeper and more mature understanding of Faith demands that we take responsibility for our lives and not fault others, including God. A first look (part 1) at the Problem of Evil - why cancer? why earthquakes? and why to innocent people?
Prayer: Cancer is so powerless;
Music: "Arevakal" by the Seminarians of the Vazkenian Seminary at Lake Sevan;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 29 - Prayer opens the door to 'Thy Will be Done' in our lives. We partner with God and move from a solo-walk to finding community strength.
Prayer: St. Francis of Assisi’s Peace Prayer;
Music: Selections from Kim Kashkashian's Asturiana;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 28 - The parable of the unrighteous judge is the story of persistent prayer to insure the righteousness of today. We shift emphasis from outer dependence to inner reliance.
Prayer: The Lord's Prayer by Jesus (NIV);
Music: Jethro Tull "Lifebeats" (A Passion Play);
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 27 - The Forty Martyrs of Sebastia explain the meaning of friendship as they extend a hand to one another and create a human life raft.
Prayer by St. Nersess 24/24;
Music Songs for Children by Gomidas Vartabed performed by Armen Babakhanian (Piano Works);
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 26 - Opening the curtain of fear with Courage. Sit across the Last Supper Table and receive the command from Christ himself.
Prayer by St. Nersess 17/24;
Music: Songs for Children by Gomidas Vartabed performed by Armen Babakhanian (Piano Works);
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 25 - Exploring one of the greatest obstacles to stewardship: Fear. Removing that fear from life allows us to maximize our potential in this life.
Prayer by St. Nersess 14/24;
Music "Gentle Earth" and "Fire Rain" for piano;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 24 - Challenges for stewardship as we look at the strengths and weaknesses in our lives. Finding the strength to maximize our potential.
Prayer: St. Nersess Shnorhali 10/24;
Music: "Vork Zartaretzin" by the students at the Vazkenian Seminary at Lake Sevan and Oystein Sevag's "One Word of the Wise Men";
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 23 - The Dishonest Steward was a schmoozer - he used the language of this world to accomplish his goals. Jesus’ message to us on the uses of the language of this world (Luke 16).
Prayer: St. Nersess Shnorhali 2/24;
Music: “A Time to Heal” by Armen Chakmakian;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 22 - Continuing on the theme of Stewardship, a fresh approach to the most essential blessings given to us by God. A warning against the one sin committed by inactivity and implications for the Gifts of God.
Prayer: St. Nersess Shnorhali 11/24;
Music: "Mystery" by Duduk Quartet; "In Defense of Faith" by Ian Anderson (Divinities);
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 21 - The parable of the Dishonest Steward - the Shrewd Manager – (Luke 16) as a model for Christian responsibility. Coming down from the summit of Mid-Lent, before us are the challenges of the real world, and now we switch gears to prepare ourselves for the challenges of life.
Prayer: St. Nersess Shnorhali 6/24;
Music: Lifebeats (A Passion Play) by Jethro Tull;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 20 - We're at the half way mark - able to view from the summit all things past and the path in front and now seeing the Ultimate Journey before us all. Remembrance of Sts. John of Jerusalem, John of Otzoon, John of Vorotan and Gregory of Datev.
Prayer of St. Nersess 23/24;
Music "In a Stone Circle" and "At their Father's knee" by Ian Anderson (Divinities);
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 19 - When Ego is abandoned, there is a new purity of heart that allows us to see God. Ego is the foundation of all evil.
St. Nersess Prayer 4/24;
Music: "Amazing Mystery" by Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia and "Ov Zarmanaly" and "Aysor Kagnetzav" by Quartet Dudukner.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 18 - Some detours in life's journey take us off course and we lose our way to the ultimate destination. God gives a way to get back on track. Skip the navigator and look within.
St. Nersess’ Prayer 1/24;
Music: "From East to West" by Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia and "Can't Find my Way Home" by Blind Faith.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 17 - While many journeys, including this Spiritual one, take you from place A to B, don't be surprised by the detour this time. Dorothy didn’t.
St. Nersess’ Prayer 18/24;
Music: "Sanctus" by Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia and "Whistler" by Cat Stevens.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 16 - The older brother has some jealousy, but it was the injustice and the unfairness of the situation that overwhelmed him. Sound familiar? Lessons for today. Part 3 of 3 on the Parable.
Music: Govya Yerousaghem by Vazkenian Seminarians at Lake Sevan and Conversation with God by Liz Story.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 15 - The Father gives us an example of God's love and compassion while showing us a way to live our lives.
Music: Hrashapar by Vazkenian Seminarians at Lake Sevan and the Bricklayers Beautiful Daughter by William Ackerman.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 14 - Looking at the true sin of the Prodigal Son and finding him in each of us. The uses and abuses of the gifts God has given us.
Part 1 of 3 dedicated to the Parable;
St. Nersess Shnorhali Prayer 3/24;
Music: "Lifebeats" (A Passion Play) by Jethro Tull;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 13 - More than a history lesson, Second Ecumenical Council is remembered and offered as a lesson on solid foundation for faith. Faith without works has another side: works without faith, which is essential for making dreams come true.
St. Nersess Shnorhali Prayer, Hour#5/24;
Music: "Underyalt" by the Vazkenian Seminarians at Lake Sevan; "Reflection" by Oystein Sevag.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 12 - What is sin? A look at the nature of sin and how we address it in Armodoxy. Thermodynamics, archery and a Cherokee story are part of this sin-ful meditation.
Music: Arevakal by the Seminaries of the Vazkenian Monastery at Lake Sevan;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 11 - Meditation on Matthew 5 - Jesus points to something more important than God and demands that we leave God in pursuit of that harmony.
Music: Park ee Partzountz by the Seminaries of the Vazkenian Monastery at Lake Sevan and Pachelbel's Canon In D
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 10 - Reflections on Matthew 5-6 - Forgiveness is conditional: depending on our ability to forgive others. The burden of forgiveness is not on God but on us.
Music: Hayr Mer by the Seminaries of the Vazkenian Monastery at Lake Sevan;
Music: Pavane (Fauré) by Jethro Tull;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 9 - Time to listen as well as a time not to listen. Learning that the heart has receptors, for hearing, seeing and all of our senses.
Music: Medzatzoutzeh by the Seminaries of the Vazkenian Monastery at Lake Sevan and the "Lark and the Thrush";
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 8 - Removing planks from our own eye (Matthew 7) allows us to see the wonders of God all around us.
Prayer by St. Nersess #22/24;
Song: This Clearness of Light by William Ackerman;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 7 - A reminder of how sin enters into our lives and prevents us from experiencing the best of life and the fullness of God's love.
Prayer: St. Nersess Shnorhali 5/24;
Background: Lifebeats (A Passion Play) by Jethro Tull;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 6 - Remembering Saint Sahag Barthev as the facilitator of the evangelical dream. Finding partnership with friends and Christ to actualize the big dream of God's Kingdom.
Prayer from St. Nersess Shnorhali 11/24;
Song: "Hymn" by Armen Donelian;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 5 - Step it up a notch. You made it through your fist week, stay on track. Be encouraged by accomplishments and challenged by faults. Focus on the real purpose, and find Love as the means and the answer to your journey.
Music: "Arevakal" by the students of the Vazkenian Seminary at Lake Sevan.
Prayer by St. Nersess Shnorhali, verse 9/24.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 4 - In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 6) Jesus gives specific instructions for giving. Along with fasting and praying, giving gives us an opportunity to strip down to the bare essentials. There is an artificial balance between giving and receiving which is disrupted by Jesus’ instruction to give, where unconditional means forgetting the self and losing the ego.
Music: “Arevakal” by the Seminarians at the Vazkenian Monastery at Lake Sevan;
Prayer by St. Nersess Shnorhali, verse 19/24;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 3 - Prayer as conversation not only with God. As St. Grigor Naregatzi reminds us, prayer comes from the heart – finding tools to actualize our dreams. Instructions on prayer from the Gospel of St. Matthew 6.
Music: “Arevakal” by Seminarians of the Vazkenian Monastery at Lake Sevan;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 2 - The rules for fasting. Why Fast? Making an inventory of what is truly necessary in Life.
Music: "Arevakal" by the Vazkenian Seminarians at Lake Sevan;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Direct Link for Download

Day 1 - Reflection on the three areas of the Lenten Journey - Alms Giving, Fasting and Prayer. Set your goal for the next 40 days – it’s between you and God.
Music - "Arevakal" Vazkenian Seminarians at Lake Sevan
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan, Engineered by Ken Nalik.

Direct Link for Download