Returning Home – Lent 2012

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 26 February 2012
Home! And this is my room – and you’re all here! And I’m not going to leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all! And — Oh, Auntie Em — there’s no place like home!
 
At the end of the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy recites these memorable words. She reminds us that there is a very special place in each of our lives where we feel safe. It’s a place where we are loved unconditionally. It’s a place full of warmth and acceptance. It can be called paradise, but even better, its called home.
Welcome to the first official Sunday of Lent. While last week we celebrated “Poon Paregentan” today is called “Expulsion” Sunday—reminding us of lost paradise.
The world and the life that God has created was paradise. It has so much potential, but because of our discontentment we are purged from paradise. We know God gives us paradise, but we choose paths that take us father and father away from home. In Genesis is referred to as the original sin of trying to be like God.
The Lenten period allows us to focus in on paradise lost, to count our blessing, to see what really matters in our lives. In a word, it’s a chance to see that our lives may not be perfect – that they are far from paradise- but that there’s no place like home. -Fr. Vakzen
The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…

Bravery like St. Vartan’s

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Next Step #193 – February 16, 2012

What makes St. Vartan “brave”? Another episode “from the desert” with analysis of courage and faith. On the fundamentalists and the rejection of literal translations of the Bible. Followup on the Domestic Violence Walk in Glendale. From Tempe Arizona.
Song: “Yegeghetzin Haygagan” by the Students of the Vazkenian Seminary, Lake Sevan, Armenia
Translation: http://zohrabcenter.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/cultural-tidbits-part-3-vahan-tekeyan-prince-of-poetry/
Ani’s Bubbles: “The Rose Within”
Walk for Domestic Violence: www.inhisshoes.org
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Vartan, a prelude – The “Key” message 2012

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 12 February 2012

 

  
This coming week, we celebrate two saints who in their lifetime were also friends—St. Vartan and St. Leon. Both were warriors for Christ.
Before entering battle St. Vartan told the Persians, “Our religion is not like a garment that we might change according to the circumstances; it is part and parcel of our bones and blood and personality… We serve you loyally in your army and pay you taxes faithfully if you leave us alone in the matter of religion. If you try to force your will upon us we are ready to suffer and to be tortured and even to die. However, you should know in advance that there is no power on earth which can force us to change our religion because our covenant is not with man but with the Almighty God.”
Today the battle continues. Think of this way: The temptation is all around us to deny our faith. The enemy doesn’t come with a sword or a gun, but by the lure of material wealth, indifference and fads that discount the power of the spirit. This week, as we commemorate Vartanantz, I’m calling on our parishioners to reevaluate their faith and their convictions. Is our faith, merely a garment—a shirt we take off our back—or do we actually live the message of hope and love in Christ Jesus? The Battle of Vartan began in 451 and ultimately, we will be the ones deciding who wins the war. – Fr. Vazken
This message is continued on line youtube.com/armodoxy.
*The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…

St. Sarkis – The “Key” message

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 5 February 2012
This weekend we remember St. Sarkis, in special commemoration. Our Catholicos has named St. Sarkis as the patron saint of youth.
This famous saint was a captain in the Roman army during the fourth century. When Julian the Apostate became emperor of Rome in 361 AD, he began persecuting Christians. Sarkis and his son Mardiros found refuge in Armenia under the King Tiran. He went on to serve in the Persian army and make many converts to Christianity. But in Persia also, the tide was against him. When he refused worship the gods of the Persian, he was killed along with his son. When 14 of his soldiers tried to bury him, they were also killed for their faith.
Today, as we recount the story of St. Sarkis, we have to lift it beyond a mere lesson in history. The is a story of convictions and beliefs. In fact, today, Christians are being persecuted daily for their beliefs. We may not see the swords of the Romans or the Persians, but the weapons that strike us are just as deadly. We are tempted by materialism, swayed by a general attitude of indifference toward others and find death through our contempt for Christ’s call to Love.
I ask that we take the call of our Catholicos to heart. St. Sarkis gives us an example of conviction, of faith, of discipline and true strength. In a world that teaches otherwise, this saint of the Armenian Church is so wel-come, not only in the lives of our youth but in all of our lives. Keep St. Sarkis alive always in your heart and in your deeds.—Fr. Vazken
This message is continued on line youtube.com/armodoxy.
*The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…

Purifying the Dogs of Midwinter

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Next Step #191 – February 2, 2012

The Church comes alive as it lives its mission in creating awareness for Domestic Violence and a shelter for the abused. Religion meets relevance, as Fr. Vazken takes the discussion from the Groundhog’s Day, to Diaruntarach to purity. Can you preach what you don’t believe? Then, how can Christians light a candle, pray to pictures and close their eyes to abused women and hungry children? Add some dessert to the cafeteria menus of religion in this one. Maternity leave according to the Bible. A farewell to Ken.
Walk for Domestic Violence: http://inhisshoes.org
Jesuit College Leader
Song: Rouben Hakhverdian “Poetner yev shuner” (Poets & dogs)
Engineered by Ken T. Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com