Ascension: Beyond Resurrection via Healing

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #312 – May 29, 2014

In the continuing quest for relevance in traditional Orthodoxy, Fr. Vazken challenges listeners to find healing in life beyond the message of resurrection. Appealing to the story of Jesus’ Ascension (the feast is today), here is a fresh look at the story found in Matthew 28. Destiny, fortunes, superstitions are discussed in religious folklore. Pope Francis in Jerusalem – the schisms not because of our misunderstanding of God but caused by our misunderstanding of each other.
The “In” in In His Shoes is the operative word and it makes all the difference as the Christian story of salvation. Forgive and forgetting is the difference of resurrection and ascension. Preview to the 100th Anniversary of Commemoration.
Song: “Vijag” by Zulal
“Foreplay” by Boston
Pope Francis in Jerusalem with Patriarch Bartholomew
Pope Francis & Netanyahu
Ascension – Healing
Dr. Harry Hagopian;  MENA Analysis
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

 

updated 061121 mm

Ascension: Full Authority and No Wounds

/0 Comments/in

Road to Healing: Day #Easter +40

Today is the day of Ascension. It’s the celebration of healing. I never understood it the way I do today.
The celebration of Ascension is 40 days after Easter. Whereas Easter celebrates victory, this feast celebrates the upward movement and healing momentum after the resurrection.
It’s interesting that the Christian story does not end with Resurrection.
The Crucifixion is the ultimate story of betrayal, hurt, pain, suffering and loss. Following the Crucifixion, we find ourselves at the Empty Tomb – a place from which we can look at the Cross and call that day, “Good” Friday. In the context of Resurrection the Crucifixion is done. It’s over. The pain and suffering are finished, conquered and defeated. But the wounds are still there. And that’s why the Christian story does not end with Resurrection.
A week or two following the Resurrection, one of the Disciples of Christ, Thomas, asks to feel the wounds of Christ. The holes in his hands where the nails were driven in were still open, as was the gouge in his side.  Resurrection was a victory over death, but the wounds were still open and had not healed.
At the Ascension, Jesus proclaims “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He ascends to Heaven in full authority. It is to the state of perfection that he ascends. The wounds have been healed!
This is the feast of Ascension – the celebration of healing. It is the celebration of leaving the wounds behind and finding the completeness of life.

Ascension: Full Authority and No Wounds

/0 Comments/in
Today is the day of Ascension. It’s the celebration of healing. I never understood it the way

I do today.

 
The celebration of Ascension is 40 days after Easter. Whereas Easter celebrates victory, this feast celebrates the upward movement and healing momentum after the resurrection.
It’s interesting that the Christian story does not end with Resurrection.  
 
The Crucifixion is the ultimate story of betrayal, hurt, pain, suffering and loss. Following the Crucifixion, we find ourselves at the Empty Tomb – a place from which we can look at the Cross and call that day, “Good” Friday. In the context of Resurrection the Crucifixion is done. It’s over. The pain and suffering are finished, conquered and defeated. But the wounds are still there. And that’s why the Christian story does not end with Resurrection.
 
A week or two following the Resurrection, one of the Disciples of Christ, Thomas, asks to feel the wounds of Christ. The holes in his hands where the nails were driven in were still open, as was the gouge in his side.  Resurrection was a victory over death, but the wounds were still open and had not healed.
 
At the Ascension, Jesus proclaims “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He ascends to Heaven in full authority. It is to the state of perfection that he ascends. The wounds have been healed!

 

This is the feast of Ascension – the celebration of healing. It is the celebration of leaving the wounds behind and finding the completeness of life.

Women: The Non-Church Issue

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #311 – May 22, 2014

A candid look at women in the Church, and outside of it. Going beyond the usual arguments, Fr. Vazken suggests we drop the apologies and engage in a new conversation, one of educating around the theme of equality. The Church cannot be limited to experiences in our immediate circumstances, nor can it be limited by the history that excludes one group or type of people from the entire body. Beyond traditional Christian communions, in protestant communities today (2014) the Bible cannot even be taught by women! The Church, as the Body of Christ, needs to be inclusive as is Christ.
Song: Amen Hayr Soorp, Yerevan Women’s Choir of Armenia
Women in the Armenian Church
Should Women teach Men the Bible?
Women’s Suffrage
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

updated 061121 mm

When Religion Hits the Off Button

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #310 – May 14, 2014

Stopping attempted purpose-assassination, Fr. Vazken answers questions about the Holy Badarak and its celebration. Lower the standards or rise to a higher level – that’s his challenge. Why does organized religion opt for the OFF button? What religion can learn from Google business and how Armodoxy offers an ON answer. The movement of time: 1/9 > 1/19 as Varoujan graduates ASU. Moving closer to the launch of the next step.
Song: Shushan Petrosyan “Kez Hamar”
Botanical Evolution
Arizona State University – The Design School
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

updated 061121 mm

Walking Against Cancer

/0 Comments/in

September 22-23 – Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
We’re in it to end it!

On Facebook: Team In Her Shoes
On Twitter: InHisShoes – we’ll be tweeting from the walk
Photo: Ani Burr & Anush Avejic, 2011 Avon Walk >

Message from Fr. Vazken… “Why I’m walking”
I’m committing to walk 39 miles this year. It’s a personal walk for me because cancer almost took away something very precious to me. Eighteen years ago my sister was diagnosed with this disease. My sister is one of the bravest and fiercest people I know. She beat it! She stopped cancer.

But last year, it resurfaced. Eighteen years later cancer was back. And by the Grace of God, she beat it! My precious sister is still with us.

No one should have to go through cancer. It is a dreaded and awful disease. I know, because I’m a survivor myself.

I’m walking to do away with cancer forever. Not for just for 18 years, but forever. I know it’s a tall order. Cancer, especially breast cancer, is a big disease. So I’m starting this walk off with a dream, imagining a world without cancer/without disease. It’s a very big dream, but dreams do come true, when enough people believe in the dream. And so I’m asking you to dream with me. OK? Now, let’s wake up and do something to make it come true.

In September I’ll be walking 39 miles with thousands of others who share the dream. I’ll be walking with my wife, my sisters, and many friends as part of the Team In Her Shoes.

I’m committing to collect $1,800 by September, but I hope to collect more. The money I raise will be managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade to help provide access to care for those that most need it, fund educational programs, and accelerate research into new treatments and potential cures.

You can financially support our Team by making a donation, payable to “Avon Breast Cancer Walk” and mail to St. Peter Armenian Church, 632 W. Stocker St, Glendale, CA 91202 (you may visit my Avon site and donate on the “Donate Now” button if you prefer).

I’m a man of faith. I believe in the power of prayer. If you or a loved one has been hit by cancer, please provide me with their names. I will offer special prayers in preparation for the walk and on the Sunday morning that we are on the walk. Cancer is big. God is bigger. This truth is the first stepping stone in my walk.

Thank you in advance.

Fr. Vazken

Hashtag Expectations

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #309 – May 8, 2014

The perils of the ethnic Christian churches are explored as two Pontiffs, HH Karekin II & HH Francis meet and are tagged for history. The treasure of orthodoxy goes beyond the ethnic adjective affixed to the branch, but how? Fr. Vazken takes the listener on a journey to the roots of orthodoxy and ends up with the hybrid of yesterday and today, ethnicity and spirituality. Some definitive statements about Armodoxy are made herein. Also – if gambling isn’t evil, what’s all the fuss about?
Song: “Vagharshabat” by Arax 
Meeting of the pontiffs
Fr. Vazken’s blog: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

Pontiffs, HH Karekin II & HH Francis

Packaging & the Product

/0 Comments/in

Next Step 308 – May1, 2014

Thoughts from Las Vegas, Nevada and the Diocesan Assembly. Packaging the “Product” of the Church – how the Kingdom of God is marketed with consideration to truth in advertising. Quality Assurance by checking our mission as a church. Institution, Product, Infrastructure – all examined from this desert resort.
Song: “What the World Needs Now” by Dionne Warwick
Fr. Vazken’s Sermons
Gospel of St. John, chapter 1
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio!