Epilogue for Muiron Dive

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Armodoxy for Today: Epilogue for Muiron Dive

Over the past month I have had the pleasure of sharing with you the background “deep dive” story of the Holy Muiron. This past weekend, thousands of people made the pilgrimage to Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia to witness the blessing and the re-consecration of the Mother Cathedral which has been under renovation construction for over a decade. Thousands more watched on-line, as this seventeen-hundred-year-old tradition took place at the oldest Christian cathedral on Earth, in the shadow of Mount Ararat, where Noah and his family walked off the ark.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians presided and delivered a most stirring sermon which captured the essence of the Muiron of 2024 in the context of the world today. By way of an epilogue to this deep dive series, I share with you excerpts from His Holiness’ message, September 28, 2024. (The message in its entirety appears below.)

“Whoever is anointed with this shall revere God and fear not the enemy.”

Beloved Faithful,

On the eve of the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varag and the commemoration of St. George the Martyr, we give glory to Almighty God, who has granted us the grace to conduct the Blessing of the Holy Myron, a ceremony that we were unable to conduct earlier due to the calamitous events of recent years. By the merciful will of God, may the newly blessed Holy Myron bestow heavenly blessings upon our lives, granting spiritual strength and the grace of renewal to our people who have endured the ravages and losses of war.

Dear Ones, the blessing of the Holy Myron, reminds us of the sacred days of the conversion of the Armenian nation. Through the hand of Catholicos St. Gregory the Illuminator, under the majestic gaze of Biblical Mount Ararat, our people were baptized and anointed with the holy oil, blessed by our Lord and brought to Armenia by St. Thaddeus the Apostle. Thus were our people united with Christ and His Holy Church. The Armenian nation received the grace to become God’s own people and the first nation to declare Christianity as its state religion. Since that epochal moment when the nation’s faith was founded, the holy mountain of salvation, Ararat, and the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin have stood as sacred and indelible symbols of our enduring faith, and of the eternal existence of the Armenian people.

“Whoever is anointed with this Myron shall revere God and fear not the enemy.” Today, these stirring words from the prayer for the blessing of the Holy Myron echo resoundingly for all of us to hear. This message from our forefathers has accompanied our people throughout history, strengthening them to live with reverence for God’s love, emboldening them in the face of their enemies, and encouraging them to be defender of sacred values and our identity, and to be devoted to serving the homeland.

The Holy Myron is the visible sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Through the seal of the Holy Myron, a fountain of divine blessings pours out into the life of the individual and the nation. The one anointed with Holy Myron becomes the recipient of heavenly, pristine gifts, renewed to think and act in goodness, and to live in the fear of God, without fear in the presence of evil. The seal of the Holy Myron affirms our union with Christ and our membership in His Holy Church. It also confirms our national identity and the pledge of our fidelity to God.

For centuries, the Holy Myron has bound together the sons and daughters of our people scattered across the world, uniting the homeland and the diaspora. Through the Holy Myron, we are one nation and one Church. Today, the Holy Myron, distributed through the heads of the Hierarchical Sees and Diocesan Primates to our people worldwide, once again spiritually fortifies our indivisible unity. The Myron has become the blood that flows through the veins of Armenians, empowering the nation with spiritual strength to face all trials, as well as our current challenges, according to the prayerful exhortation of our forefathers: “The one anointed with the Myron fears only God and is unafraid of enemies.”

Beloved, the world today is once again troubled by conflicts and hostilities that undermine harmony in family life, human relationship, sowing enmity and intolerance, inciting war, spreading destruction and calamity. Our country and people, too, confront severe security threats, with an imperative to rise from devastation and profound losses. We believe that the world is not indifferent to pain and violence. We believe love and compassion have not evaporated from human hearts, nor have the pursuit of justice or the rule of law.

On this sacred occasion of the blessing of the Holy Myron, we once again appeal to the international community and our sister Churches, in the presence of our prayerful ecclesiastical and diplomatic representatives, to take effective measures to curb the expansionist ambitions of Azerbaijan and its incessant demands postured from a position of power, and also to return the occupied border territories of Armenia, the protection of the violated rights of the displaced people of Artsakh, the release of captured Armenians, and the preservation of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh from usurpation and destruction.

Beloved Faithful, the primary duty and responsibility for resolving this complex situation is ours. It is incumbent upon us to unite; to protect our country from new intrusions and losses; to dispel fear and concern for the future; to reassess mistaken and detrimental trajectories for the nation; to further strengthen Armenian-Diasporan relations; to promote healthy dialogue in the internal political life of the nation; and to seek ways to restore a safe and secure life for our people in the homeland. We must walk this path with justice, courage and honesty. Under these circumstances, trust and hope in God are an anchor and solid foundation upon which we can rise from the calamities that have befallen us in order to build a strong homeland.

Therefore, beloved, let this new Holy Myron be a Myron of hope and renewal, a radiant testimony to our resolve to revive our national life, and to our steadfastness in overcoming both internal and external challenges, as we shape a prosperous future.

Our pontifical appeal to our sons and daughters worldwide is to allow the course of our lives to be ever sealed with Holy Myron and to remain steadfast in protecting the interests of our state. Let no one endanger the future of our nation.

For no one who is anointed with the Holy Myron can ever renounce the dreams of his forefathers for an independent homeland, nor deny his own history.

No one who is anointed with Holy Myron may reject the heritage of his ancestors, nor diminish his sanctified values, nor distort his national identity and aspirations.

No one who is anointed with Holy Myron must ever insult or disdain his compatriots, his fellow sisters and brothers, as it is said, “He who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20).

Anyone who is anointed with the Holy Myron is called to become a pioneer of truth, a creator of goodness, and a preacher of love.
And finally, whoever is anointed with the Holy Myron should fear only God and be fearless in the face of enemies and threats, for, as the Holy Apostle says, “The weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

Our Patriarchal exhortation to you, beloved Armenians of Artsakh, is to remain steadfast and unwavering in the face of tribulations and hardships. The atrocity committed against Artsakh was not solely against you, but against our entire nation. As a nation, we must resolutely uphold and advocate for your right to live freely and with dignity in your ancestral homeland. From this holy altar, we extend our love and blessing to you, praying that the heavenly graces be poured upon your lives and your households. As the Catholicos of All Armenians, we believe in the inner strength of our nation and the resurgence of our people, in the bright and victorious future that lies ahead.

On this occasion of spiritual renewal, the Blessing of the Holy Myron, we express our love and best wishes to the participants of the ceremony: clergy, state officials, political and diplomatic figures, dedicated national benefactors of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and faithful pilgrims. We express our high appreciation to the national benefactor, Mr. Samvel Karapetyan, who has taken up the role of godfather for the Blessing of the Holy Myron and has made significant contributions toward the prosperity of our nation and homeland, as well as to the enlightenment of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. May God’s abundant blessings and heavenly gifts bring renewed success, our dear benefactor, Mr. Katrapetyan, to you and your pious family.

We pray to our Heavenly Father, that through the grace of the Holy Spirit, the works of faith, love, and goodness may flourish abundantly in the world, and the paths of peace and harmony may be strengthened. May our homeland be safe and steadfast through the constant outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s gifts, our people’s life adorned with virtue, and our Holy Apostolic Church remain bright and unshaken. May the life-giving light of the Holy Myron keep the Lantern of the Illuminator ever shining in the Armenian land, today, always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Source: https://www.armenianchurch.org/en/news/28-09-2024-eng/11682

Between Two Services

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Next Step #796 – September 28-29, 2024 – Fr. Vazken is in Between Two Services – the Blessing of the Holy Muiron and the Consecration of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, on its reopening. What we learned from exploring the Muiron Service and the Holy Cross – messaging from Varak. Pontifical Hymn, Seminarians at the Vasgenian Seminary at Lake Sevan.
Blessing of Holy Muiron 2024
Re-Consecration of the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin
Message of HH Karekin II on Muiron Blessing
Preparing for Muiron Blessing
AC202 on Muiron
On Muiron at Fr. Mesrob’s Funeral
Deep Dive into Muiron – Armodoxy for Today
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for http://Epostle.net
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The Khatchkar Dialect of Varak

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Armodoxy for Today: The Khatchkar dialect of Varak

As Jesus entered Jerusalem on that first “Palm Sunday” the people went to the streets with joy, singing in loud voices, “Hosanna. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

In the Gospel of Luke (19) we read that the religious elite of the day called Jesus from the crowd and ordered him to rebuke the crowd, but Jesus answer, “I tell you that if these [people] should keep silent, the stones themselves would immediately cry out.”

There is a small little village just off the shore of Lake Van in Western Armenia called Varak. In the third century the nun Hripsime, escaping persecution for her Christian beliefs hid in the hills of Varak. In her possession was a piece of the Cross of Christ. She hid the fragment on the mountain where it lay for over three hundred years until a hermit named Totig found it in the seventh century. This Sunday marks the celebration of this event, the Cross of Varak.

I had a chance to visit Varak. Today the town as well as all of Western Armenia is occupied by Turkey. The once beautiful and spiritually active monastery of Varak is now in shambles. Among the ruins you can make out the markings of the interior of the church. Small niches where candles once lit the interior are now exposed to the elements with the roof and huge dome in piles of rubble.

Next to the foundation stones which act as a footprint of the Varak Monastery are houses of the villagers. Kids were playing on the unpaved streets and we struck up a conversation with some of the villagers. One of them invited us into their house. The walls were stones stuck together with a dry pack type of mortar. Stones of different colors and different shapes indicating a variety of sources and suggested they were gathered from different time periods. And… there were khatchkars – cross stones – taken from the monastery and stuck on the wall to protect the inhabitants of the house from outside weather conditions.

The destroyed monasteries and ruined churches, are part of a campaign to erase history and are the final act of destruction following Genocide. Michael Arlen, in his book Passage to Ararat, (1975) searches his roots in Armenia and in Western Armenia. Speaking to the erasure of history, Arlen writes, “What was it except hatred to say that a people did not exist?”

The khatchkar answers back. Khatchkars speak to us in a distinct language, or perhaps, it is a different dialect, because if you listen carefully, you can always understand the message. Khatchkars are the stones that counter the hatred by proclaiming peace of heaven on earth. Even in destructed form, in the ruins, the khatchkars are sharing the Divine message of hope and love as an antidote to the hate.

We pray this prayer for peace, Lord Jesus Christ, who are called the Prince of Peace, please grant us peace. Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice, and brotherly love. Amen.

Khatchkar Messages of Christ

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Armodoxy for Today: Khatchkar messages of Christ

Khatchkars decorate Armenian Church, monasteries and the landscape of Armenia. They are tall. They are telling. Many of them can be read like a map pointing to the heavens and eternity.

A khatchkar, literally means “cross stone.” On a large stone, usually rectangular in shape, about six or seven feet tall and three feet wide, engravings reflecting the faith and determination of a person dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These stones have survived and have been sharing a message for hundreds and even a thousand years.

The central carving is of a cross, ornate with swirls and designs that depict different theological concepts or ecclesiastical symbols. One khatchkar which is found at the Monastery at Gōsh is especially telling. Gōsh was a seat of education in Armenia as such, the khatchkar there stands tall to tell a story of heaven-earth relations. It may not seem very unusual to see earth depicted as a large sphere in this carving, until you learn that this stone was carved in the 6th century, some 600 years before the Inquisition in Europe, Armenians had already understood the earth to be round and rejected the flat-earth concept.

The messages on the khatchkars are many and in different varieties. However, the greatest story that is often  forgotten is that the khatchkar depicts resurrection and victory. Every cross, without exception, and especially every khatchkar is the story of Jesus Christ. Without Christ, the khatchkar has no meaning, in fact, without Jesus Christ, a cross is merely two perpendicular lines.

We stand between two feasts of the Cross – the elevation and the Cross of Varak. The Cross is defined by Jesus Christ, as the instrument of torture, now turned into a symbol of victory.

Yes, the khatchkar decorates the Armenian landscape, and in that decorative form it has been a constant reminder to the people of the power of love over hate, and good over evil. The khatchkar stoically standing on the sidelines of history as the ever-present messenger of hope is a nonstop witness to the reality that has been central to the survival of a people.

Imagine that, a people who have turned around in their journey, and everywhere they have looked, they have been reminded of the hope in the eternal and aligned themselves with the Divine through Christ. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Tomorrow, we’ll look at one special khatchkar, decorating a village house, in Varak. Today we pray, from the 13th hour of St. Nersess Shnorhali’s “I Confess with Faith”: Heavenly King, grant me your kingdom, which you have promised to Your beloved; and strengthen my heart to hate sin, to love you alone, and to do Your will. Have mercy on all Your creatures and on me. Amen

Cover photo: Luna & Gregory Beylerian, 2023

Empowering Armenia’s Children Affected by War

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One of the pillars of Epostle is outreach. The “New Bird’s Nest Project” a non-profit social enterprise in Armenia that intends to employ proven social strategies aimed at significantly improving the lives and well-being of the children affected by war and historical injustice in Armenia. A big thank you to those who donated for the cause. Epostle podcaster Sousanna Pogosyan delivered the funds and had a chance to meet the newly singled mothers and the children displaced by the recent Artsakh War. Donations directly assist the families in need with basic essentials and much more. The families shared their deepest gratitude to Epostle and those who have supported.

Outreach Updates – Walking “In His Shoes”

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Distribution of funds from our “Coffee & Cars for Artsakh” event (12/2023) was made in Vanadzor by arrangement of Abp. Hovnan Derderian. Cool cars and hot coffee to raise money for refugees was 16 year-old Arek Boynerian’s intent and in June he traveled to Armenia with his family to distribute those funds. Watch for videos and more in the coming months: “Vanadzor Vibrantz!”

Donations were received in memory of Haroutioun Jarlekian, earmarked for families

living in Boudj Hammoud, Lebanon. Distribution was made through our contacts. Our

condolences to the Jarlekian and Hamparian families, and Epostle-family member

Maria Hamparian on the passing of her beloved father.

The Church the Cyrene

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Armodoxy for Today: The Church the Cyrene

In the Gospel of Matthew (27) we read about the road to the cross as follows:

The soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.

Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull… they crucified Him…

At the Crucifixion, they mocked, tortured and eventually killed Jesus. The story remembers a man named Simon who was forced to bear Jesus’ cross – to help him up the hill. In the end, however, it was Jesus who had to climb the Cross.

This week, as we stand between the two remembrances of the Holy Cross, the elevation and the Cross of Varak, we are reminded that the Cross is part of the Christian life journey – that, there is no escaping the cross. We each have our crosses to bear – relationships go sour, health issues arise, financial difficulties force life patterns to go in different directions. Our crosses can get heavy. You may look around and hope for someone to help you – for a Simon the Cyrene – to pick up your cross, even for a little while. That Simon the Cyrene is the Church – the body of believers connected to one another through the power of Jesus Christ. The Church is that able body, that strong one who can pick up the cross and help us move from one point to the other. In the Church you find faith to believe in tomorrow, the hope of resurrection beyond the cross and the love that gives you the strength and courage to conquer  your cross, because in the end, it is your cross and you must rise to the occasion. That is Christian responsibility. This is the strength of the Church. This is Armodoxy.

We pray from the 12 hour of St. Nersess Shnorhali’s “I Confess with Faith,” Lord, who has will all that is good, and who is the director of the will, allow me not to follow the inclinations of my heart; but lead me to always walk according to your good pleasure. Have mercy on your creatures and on me a sinner. Amen.

The Guest Chef Team for Ascencia

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Words from Ascencia:

“We are so grateful for our friends at In His Shoes for their years of service! They have been volunteering at Ascencia for over 11 years, coming on-site to cook a wonderful meal for our residents every single month.
From the first dish they served to the countless smiles they’ve inspired, their commitment to giving back has truly transformed lives. It’s incredible to see multiple generations and countless families so dedicated to helping our mission. To every person who has volunteered, your generosity and talent have inspired many, and we’re so grateful for every moment you’ve spent in our kitchen. Here’s to many more years of delicious memories together!”

After Birth Cross

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Armodoxy for Today: After birth Cross

Before new life can enter the world there is pain and suffering that the mother endures (and we’d like to believe we fathers share in it to some degree). But the agony of childbirth is quickly forgotten with the celebration of new life. During the experience of childbirth we encounter both feelings of pain as well as of happiness.

We Christians participate in a similar experience when facing the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The sorrow of Good Friday is forgotten with the arrival of Easter. Within a few hours, Christ’s cross is transformed from an instrument of destruction to a symbol of victory. With the resurrection, the cross is conquered and our pain disappears.

We stand today between two celebrations of the Holy Cross: the Elevation of the Cross and the Cross of Varak.  St. Paul tells us, “For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (ICor. 1:18) As Christians the lifesaving message of the Holy Cross plays a unique role in our lives. The Cross is the symbol of the Christian Church encompassing the entire life of Christ and the entire Christian experience. It identifies an unparalleled event in History and for the believer it emphasizes God’s constant love and care for us, His children.

God gives us the supreme example of responsibility and care. In the symbol of the Cross we can see the story of a Father who cared and loved His children so much, that He gave His Very Best. He did not exempt His Son from suffering but made His Crucifixion a part of the liberation process. As the Apostle Peter writes, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (IPet 2:24)

On the feast of the Holy Cross we look up and see the Cross is empty. We see an opportunity to change pain to joy, for new life to overcome our agony. And that opportunity is given to you – to each of us – to meet the challenges of our own crosses head on.  You have an opportunity of changing pain into joy, yet we are never alone. The power of God flows through His Holy Community, the Church and there we find strength as we help one another to meet the challenges before us.

As we pray, look up and see the Cross radiating the Power of God. The hymn “Khatchun genarar” The Life-giving Cross which has become our salvation; through this, let us all praise thee, O Lord, and worship the All-Holy Trinity. Lord have mercy on us and especially on me a sinner, as I accept your promise and know that I will conquer my cross. Amen.

Irony of Cross and Independence

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Armodoxy for Today: Irony of Cross and Independence

Between two feasts celebrating the Cross of Christ is the Anniversary of Independence for Armenia. Last Sunday was the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. Next Sunday is the feast of the Holy Cross of Varak.

Armenia is a landlocked country. It is surrounded by hostile neighbors, some of which openly proclaim their desire to do away with the country of Armenia and its people. For the size of the country and its population, Armenia has a well-organized diaspora, nevertheless its populations is small, with less than three million in the country.

While Armenia may not have military power nor military strategy, it has survived against all the odds:  peril, barbarism, exile, massacres and even genocide. Its survival strategy is rooted in the Cross. “If anyone desires to come after Me,” says Jesus, “Let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

The Cross is a symbol of sacrifice. In the message of the Cross you understand that you are loved by God, so much so, that God continually blesses you.

Struggle is a part of life and therefore the Cross is the symbol of a fulfilling life. Your Christian identity carries with it responsibilities that are predicated on sacrifice. Life lived for others is the most fulfilling life because ego is placed in check. When ego is out of the way, God has room to work. With God’s help, you can conquer all of your difficult and the challenges before you. God will not let you go. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” writes St. Paul. (Romans 8:31)

A Christian who has put on Christ cannot say no to difficulties. Ironically, in the scope of independence, a Christian has no other choice but to help the oppressed, the sick and the troubled. Herein the Christian understands true independence in service to others.

Military strategies may be classified as top secret, but I share this survival strategy because it was never meant to be a secret. Just the opposite it was meant to be evangelized, that is spread.

We pray, Christ, protector and guardian of the faithful, protect and deliver us under the shadow of Your Holy and Precious Cross in peace. Deliver us from enemies visible and invisible. And we glorify you with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.