Post-Genocide “Key” Message

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Parish Priest’s Message from “The Key” – 29 April 2012
 
   This Sunday is a stop between two travels. Last week, we remembered the 1.5 million martyrs of the 1915 Genocide with commemoration events that took us to different places, primarily three college campuses: UCLA, USC and UCSB. At each of these stops we talked about our obligation and responsibility as Genocide survivors to speak out against injustice everywhere. If you haven’t done so yet, check out the videos at InHisShoes.org or our Facebook page. 
We were very encouraged by the response of the students. It reminded us about the original mission and charter we had as a parish, to be a youth ministry.
  The second part of our travels takes place this week as we head out to Arizona to participate in the Annual Diocesan Assembly, held at the St. Apkar church there. It’s a difficult transition for us to make. There we will be reminded of the backward thinking that dismantled much of our efforts here as a youth ministry. It’s not just the mentality that is so prominent, but it’s hearing about and seeing a church that is missing its calling as a Body of Christ and missing its potential.
   Thankfully our inspiration comes from the sacrifice of the Martyrs and the Resurrection of our People, both grounded in the promise of Jesus Christ. From that, I know, that wherever our travels take us, we have one mission and one focus. I ask for your prayers. Pray for our Church –  our church on the corner and the greater Armenian Church.
 
– Fr. Vazken
The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church in Glendale, California. 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…

The Traveling Genocide

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Next Step #203 – April 26, 2012

Stories from a week of commemorations. The UCSB Commemoration and the lonely Turk. Santayana and Hitler – an axiom delivered 15 years later. In a Rwandan museum and the Question “Which Genocide?” as humanity running backwards.The Misunderstood Jesus and the power of Armodoxy: Overcoming with the power of love. European education and community issues. A priests log of commemoration events – bringing it all together with solid answers for victory.
Links from today’s show:
In His Shoes: http://InHisShoes.org
Rwandan Genocide Blog: http://dervaz.blogspot.com/
Adam Schiff & Condoleezza Rice: http://youtu.be/OhF-y6k3AI8
April 24 in Etchmiadzin, Armenia: http://youtu.be/d1rJP2fbc38
Song: “Jesus” by Cat Stevens
Ani’s Bubbles: He needed me.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Hayoo Acher

Conundrum of April

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Parish Priest’s Message from “The Key”* – 22 April 2012
It’s a conundrum, isn’t it? We just celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ a couple of weeks ago. Priests stood up from the altar area of all the Armenian Churches in the world the news was heralded, “Christ has Risen!” I know I did. And now, just weeks later, from the same altar areas we’re talking about death, evil and the ultimate expression of darkness, Genocide! 
Today we commemorate the 1.5 Million Armenians who perished at the hands of the Turks in 1915.
Since that time, there have been many geno-cides. Strange, isn’t’ it? We think we’re living in such advanced and modern times, yet we still resort to barbaric forms conflict resolution! Since the Armenian Genocide, there have been the Holocaust, Cambodia, Bosnia and Rwanda, just to name a few where the words “ethnic cleansing” are used. And today, there is the Genocide in Darfur!
We as Armenians KNOW the meaning of pain and suffering. We KNOW crucifixion. But we also KNOW resurrection, and as such we need to be equal witnesses to Crucifixion AND Resurrection. This is why, at our church, our efforts and our attention is not only on the past, but on the present. We’re calling for justices through-out the world through our In His Shoes Ministries. I thank you, as parishioners and parish administrators, for adopting this stand. We’re living out Christ’s commandment to be the LIGHT in the world. 
~ Fr. Vazken
To hear the entire message of the day listen to Next Step Episode #202 at www.epostle.net
 
*The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church in Glendale, California. 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…
 

Elements of the Conundrum

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Next Step #202 – April 19, 2012

In a month of Resurrection we’re commemorating Genocide. Puzzle? Conundrum? Changing the language of conflict and understanding victory in terms expressed by Jesus. The path of the politicians, the challenge of St. Paul and the power of Christ come into play in this “Genocide Edition” of the Next Step.  Fr. Vazken brings it all together with a Christian message that is powerful, victorious and full of peace. Also -The April shower of tears won’t lead to May flowers this time, but will attempt to alleviate nausea. Religiosity of the shakers and movers, the rejection of the intelligentsia.
Ani’s Bubbles:  A Living Faith – Vincent Van Gogh
Song: “Menk Ankeghtz Zinvor Enk” by Hovhaness Badalian
Khirmian Hayrig’s Paper Ladle: http://armenianhouse.org/khrimyan-hayrik/loving-father.html
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

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A Blessed Fate of the Blessed Curtain

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Guest editorial in the “Key” Newsletter – April 15, 2012 by Rev. Dr. Zaven Archpriest Arzoumanian

During the Holy Week as we sang heartfelt melodies at St. Peter Armenian Church in Glendale, we read in between Gospel passages regarding the last days of Our Lord on earth before His Crucifixion. “The curtain of the Jerusalem Temple was rent into two from top to the bottom” at the time Christ was crucified, as said in the Gospels. An amazing sign had its blessed echo in this lively church of St. Peter, headed by its Pastor the Reverend Father Vazken Movsesian.

The church was packed on Palm Sunday, and before his sermon the Pastor announced quietly that the large and heavy curtain of the Holy Altar, ten years already in use, was to be replaced by a new curtain, donated by a faithful. We figured at least a couple of months needed before the replacement. 
 
Two days later, on Holy Tuesday, while the Primate was presiding over the Ten Virgins ceremony, the new curtain was already in place and the dedication took place the same evening, again very quietly. We were amazed! A pair of large size gold-laced Armenian-style Crosses graced the new curtain. The old curtain was folded properly and laid on the side of the lower step of the Holy Altar.

Remember the curtain in the Jerusalem Temple was rent INTO TWO. So far at St. Peter one part of the story became a blessed reality: the curtain is hanging gracefully, naturally looking brighter than the old. But the real story stems from the other part of the Jerusalem’s Curtain: What to do with the old curtain that had absorbed sweet incense every week for ten years along with the fervent prayers of the faithful?
Ordinarily anything old replaced by new is quietly discarded. But not when it comes to the genius attention of Father Vazken Movsesian, an outstanding and caring priest of the Western Diocese, as well as the hard working Pastor of St. Peter parish for the past decade. This is what we heard him announcing on Easter Sunday as I was the Celebrant and waiting to deliver the sermon upon his kind invitation.
“Tomorrow according to our Church Calendar is a Memorial Day. There will be a Requiem Service for all our beloved departed souls. Following the service I will ask the ladies of this parish to come equipped with scissors to cut the old curtain most carefully to fit each part as a single blanket to be distributed to the homeless and to the poor.”
What a blessed fate to a curtain that remained faithfully hanging before the Holy Altar of Christ, His Cross indeed! From now on the poor will continue praying for them and for us. Our prayers shall meet wherever the blankets reach. Good for you and thank you Father Vazken our Brother in Christ.

Starting the 325

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Next Step #201 – April 12, 2012

The message of resurrection after the celebration of Easter reverberates, but under what conditions? A look at the altar dynamics and the recreation of the “Badarak” as a sacrificial expression of friendship. Guest Linda Zadoian (from Compass) discusses the evolution of the means by which evangelization takes place. Grass roots change to the Armenian Church. WWMMT: What would Mary Magdalen tweet? “I went to the tomb, it was empty!” Wouldn’t it have been a shame if her tweet was pushed down the Twitter page because of other tweets? Ongoing thoughts about Fr. Vazken’s & Fr. McKenzie’s sermons…
Ani’s Bubbles: A sign of faith
TAAB2: http://youtu.be/q7jZMCBEsZM
Song: Al Massih Qam by Rula Kishek
Lend a Second Hand Round #2
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

The Shadow of the Resurrection

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Next Step #200 – April 5, 2012

A reading of the Resurrection narrative according to Matthew – fear and joy exist together in anticipation of victory. Tracing the message of the Empty Tomb, courtesy of Thad & Bart, through Armenia and history. Arriving today-getting real with the resurrection in your life, discovering the joy of Mystery – fear and joy existing together – deep in life.
Ani’s Bubbles – The Poor Rich Family
Daily messages for Holy Week
Song: “Govya Yerusaghem”
Lusine Zakarian “Khorhoort Khorin”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Palm Sunday – “Key” Message 2012

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 1 April 2012
 
I congratulate all of our faithful people who completed the Lenten period successfully. Through your vigilance, you have opened your hearts and spirits to Christ’s unfailing love. Today, Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. You are a participant in that victory through Lent and today Jesus enters your hearts and lives in a very special manner. Congratulations! 
 
Today begins one of the most sacred periods in Christianity. It marks the journey of our Lord Jesus Christ, as he enters the Holy City of Jerusalem, is betrayed, face and be convicted false accusations and charges. He is condemned to death, crucified and buried. Of course, we know how the story ends, with the glorious Resurrection next Sunday. But in the meantime, the journey to the cross is a spiritual journey that we are invited to take through Holy Week. It is our way of “walking with Christ” through His trials, passion and crucifixion.
 
In the Armenian Church we not only commemorate these days with services, but we invite people to participate in the walk to the cross. Each of our services have opportunities for participation. During the 10 maid-ens young kids hold candles as described in Matthew 25; at “feet washing” we participate as described in John 13; and at the burial we walk below the grave. Please follow the Easter Week Schedule we’ve provided and participate in one of the most beautiful week’s services. ~ Fr. Vazken
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…