Hallowed Saints: Under the Masks

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Next Step #73 – October 29, 2009

Halloween through the lens of Armenian Orthodoxy, as a challenge to find the saints around us – living with them as they live within us. Under the masks, there’s a self that waits (and needs) to be discovered. A podcast filled with Tricks and Treats.
Song: Gomidas’ Pontifical Wish on 10th Anniversary of Enthronement of HH Karekin II
Ani’s Bubbles: Father and Son
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
Sponsored by Predator Cycling – www.predatorcycling.com

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Quakes in the Twilight

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Next Step #72 – October 23, 2009

While getting ready to upgrade to Windows 7 an earthquake and a trip to another dimension divert our attention to better things – mostly of the resurrection kind. Loma Prieta 20 years later; Rod Sterling 50 years later – reflections on the need to look beyond our sufferings and the importance of imagination. Ken’s in trouble this time.
Bubbles by Ani: Butterfly
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
Sponsored by Pomegranateandeye.etsy.com

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A Mission Statement to Love With

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Next Step #71 – October 14, 2009

Reflections from a clergy conference: New issues for a new day – artificial insemination is only the beginning. More on same sex marriages. The ordination of a priest and remembering the heretics. Before you look for the Unified Field Theory, try to find the Mission Statement of the Church; a look at Luke 4 and adopting Jesus’ mission statement as our own. Who are the blind and the poor? Is the answer a pleasant surprise?
Ani’s Bubble’s: A Special Teacher;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net;
Sponsored by Pomegrante and Eye

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Tweeting from an Ordination (for the record)

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On October 12 & 13, the Western Diocese held its annual clergy conference in Rancho Mirage, California. At the conclusion of two days of meeting, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate, accepted Deacon Martin into the priesthood and renamed him Father Krikor.

Below is a log of the tweets I sent from both the meetings and the ordination. Originally published on my Twitter account, I post them here merely as a matter of record. No more commentary than what you find in these small essays. These are in reverse chronological order. The time references are tagged with a clock at 10/14/09, at 11:30A.M. PDT

· We all are invited to receive kiss of peace from newly consecrated Fr. Krikor.about 18 hours ago

· Abp Hovnan gives blessing and now preachers from Prophet Ezekiel – to hear command of God.about 18 hours ago

· Fr. KRIKOR gives first blessing.about 18 hours ago

· Abp. Hovnan consecrates forehead of Fr. Krikor- newly named.about 18 hours ago

· Holy Miuron entering sanctuary.about 18 hours ago

· Fr. Arshag amazing voice.about 18 hours ago

· Hymn of vesting. Mystery deep, without beginning.about 18 hours ago

· Archbishop Hovnan now prays for 7 graces on Martin. Places vestments on him.about 18 hours ago

· United we recite the Creed.about 19 hours ago

· Luke 4:14 is read. This again is the mission- more tomorrow on Next Step podcast.about 19 hours ago

· Archbishop on behalf of the church calls Martin. Now in apostolic manner lays his hands on him.about 19 hours ago

· Turning away from worldly pursuits. We witness he is worthy.about 19 hours ago

· At St. Margarite Episcopal- Palm Desert.about 19 hours ago

· Martin approaches altar to receive order of priesthood.about 19 hours ago

· Discovered a Broadsword bootleg which added the flavor to this trip.about 20 hours ago

· Because none of us admit to belonging to this group.about 23 hours ago

· Little bit of knowledge is very dangerous thing. Frightening too.about 23 hours ago

· Chicken Little – The sky is falling.about 23 hours ago

· Eoff… (OK to try to pronounce it out loud. You’ll know where i’m at.)about 23 hours ago from txt

· imagine Fr. McKenzie here. Wiping his hands… Anyone saved?about 24 hours ago

· MTday2- prayer is cool. Talk really is cheap.about 24 hours ago

· Satl’jan time.7:17 PM Oct 12th

· Ordination continues tomorrow.7:10 PM Oct 12th

· Remembers words of Karekin i, keeping image of God.7:05 PM Oct 12th

· Abp Hovnan reflecting on priesthood. Accenting mystery.7:03 PM Oct 12th

· Martin confesses the faith of the fathers.6:51 PM Oct 12th

· Martin renounces heretics.6:39 PM Oct 12th from txt

· Archbishop asking of his worthiness.6:38 PM Oct 12th

· Tiny clouds to the horizon. Gentle breeze.6:35 PM Oct 12th

· Open chr service in desert.6:33 PM Oct 12th

· Deacon Martin being called to the service of the Church.6:33 PM Oct 12th

· @suziesunshine – that’s why i’m choosing to put these notes under the MT label. Btw. still going.5:26 PM Oct 12th

· Lively (no pun) discussion on creamation and suicide.5:17 PM Oct 12th

· The mind twist is this- make the square peg fit. There is no solution. It doesn’t fit.3:53 PM Oct 12th

· Curvature of the spine- physically a sign of age? Otherwise defeat.3:14 PM Oct 12th

· @ahnoosh see early tweet re Mind Twister.3:02 PM Oct 12th

· Agree to call this the MT meeting? It’s part of the 30% trade off to do the 70% work.2:58 PM Oct 12th

· @ahnoosh i was chopping down a palm tree when a friend came by and asked if …he could help me swing the ax12:38 PM Oct 12th

· Starting a two day mind twist in the desert. Stand still on the 210 at Rialto.12:22 PM Oct 12th

Beyond the Ojakh (Ojax)

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9/9/9 – We did it!

We “turned the devil over“! Not sure how far, but at least we had some fun doing it.

Last night, with the Epostle.net people, we took another step toward a virtual Armenian Church with our first STREAMING Bible Study. We had quite a few viewers. From first indications it seems like they were from the U.S. – I guess because of the time zone issues. Chicago and San Francisco were two of the big cities that joined our group in Glendale. We had a FANTASTIC turn out locally – and everyone seemed very engaged in the discussion.

AFTER the show was over, we found a LONG list of comments and chats. We’re new at this, but hopefully, by next time we’ll be able to aswer some of these questions and comments in real time.

The 9/9/9 Bible Study has been archived on the epostle site – via the Ustream site. My sincere thanks to Suzie Shatarevyan who produced the show and essentially made it happen. It’s been a stressed-filled few weeks just getting to this milestone, but well worth it. We have submitted plans for a permanent electronic ministry and this was a necessary next step (building on the NEXT STEP). And I can’t let the moment go without thanking all the regular Bible Study members for their prayers and constant support of the steady stream of steps we’ve been taking.

I saw an image the other day, of the iconic 1950’s family – huddled around the TV and watching media provided to them by the networks. It was all branded – regulated, measured and provided. Today, we create our own brands. It’s NOT uncommon – think about it in your own home – to have a TV turned-on in the background, while each member of the family is engaged in his/her own world on a video screen on his/her lap.

In the Armenian language, one of the words we use for “family” is “Ojakh.” The word means “stove” but its easy to extrapolate its other meaning – it was the central huddle-area for the family. It gave heat and an opportunity for the family to converse and discuss. Also, a distance from the town, a count of the smokestacks would be a mini-census for an surveyor. The television set was the ojakh of the last century and the TV antennae on each house were the tally devises.

Our ojakh-s are of a different sort these days. Time evolves and history continues to be written. These are exciting times. Its an opportunity to bring together, to grow and love.

Off to

Exercising Exorcism “as viewed through the lens of Armenian Orthodoxy”

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Next Step #70 – October 7, 2009

It’s not all about head-spins and vomit, as Fr. Vazken follows up on last week’s report of exorcism. The nature/nurture argument in defining evil and the devil. Where are balances of good and evil in our lives. Bulletin from the Vatican about New Media in the church. A look at spirituality in the world and rising trends. Some personal thoughts on post-Genocide walking in the shoes of others.
Ani’s Bubbles: Sand and Stone
Song of the Day: Shogher Jan performed by Gor Mkhitarian written by Gomidas Vartabed and celebrating the 140th Anniversary of the monk’s birth
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
Sponsored by Pomegranateandeye.etsy.com

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