Exploring beyond the Horizon

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One Minute Armodoxy for Summertime: Exploration

Christopher Columbus, explorer of the West, advises, “You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

The ocean is vast, mysterious and seemingly unending. The shore is solid, familiar with no waves to push you up or pull you down. In other words, it’s a safe place. Frankly, it’s not a bad place to be, unless you wish to explore, to go beyond the familiar.

To grab opportunity, pushing off the shore is not only necessary but the rule of law. When exiled from their homes, either in 1915 or in 2023, Armenians made the sign of the cross, lost the shore, fought the waves and arrived at their destination.

Happy sailing. Today’s one minute for Summertime.

A prayer from Bishop Nikolaj Velimirovic to the Asdvadzadzin

Waves of passion disturb my spirit, great sadness and anguish have overwhelmed my soul. Embalm my soul with Thy Son’s peace, O Most Holy One, and by His Grace drive away every doubt and despair. Calm the storm of my sins that, like a fiery worm, burn me, and quench its flame. Fill my heart with joy, O Most Pure One, and disperse the fog of my iniquities before me. Amen.

Courage at the Beginning

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Armodoxy for Today – Andrew, the First

Saints come in all shapes and sizes. That might sound like an odd way to bring attention to the elite class of the Church, but each saint has a unique story that helps us in our Christian journey through life.

Andrew was the first-called disciple of Christ, in Armenian he’s referred to as Nakhagoch which literally means, the first to accept the call [of Jesus]. Throughout Scripture we read that he invited others to follow, most notably is his older brother, Peter, who went on to be the Apostle to, and the first Bishop of Rome.

Being the first takes a special and deep courage which is connected to inner strength but also to a commitment and belief that what you are following is absolutely and positively the correct path.

Andrew had that commitment and that confidence within, which made him the great Apostle of Christ. Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Praying from the Book of Hours of the Armenian Church, With your Light, O Christ, we have all been enlightened, and in Your Holy Cross, O Savior, we take refuge. By the intercession of the Holy Apostle Andrew, hear us, O God our Savior, grant us peace, and show us Your mercy, Good Lord. Amen.

Cover photo: St. Andrew at Ghazanchetzotz Monastery, 2014 Fr. Vazken

Chiastic form in Christianity

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Armodoxy for Today: Chiastic Love

A chiasmus is a literary form as old as recorded civilization. It is defined as a reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases. For instance, sayings such as, “Say what you mean, and mean what you say” or on the lighter side, “Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.”

St. Augustine appealed to the chiasmus form when he said, “The measure of love is to love without measure.”

Loving without measure is one of the hallmarks of Christianity. Love without limits allows us to understand all the other teachings of Jesus, such as charity, forgiveness or humility, as the challenge to be Christ-like.

The measure of love is to love without measure. Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Celebrate Ararat Week

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His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians has invited Armenians throughout the world to celebrate “The Week of Ararat” – June 1-7, 2026. Epostle sparks up a special Miniseries – five episodes – that brings history to today. Join Fr. Vazken for this important miniseries: Spark, Kindle, Catalyst, Fanning the flame, to the Altar of Light

Miniseries: The Road to Light

Armodoxy for Today: The Road to the Center of Light
– a five-part miniseries of daily messages dedicated to this special week
in the life of the Armenian Church.
Five days, five inspirations, five sparks that connect to shine the Christ Light.

Part 1: Hripsime – The Spark

Part 2: Gayane – The Kindle

Part 3: Gregory – The Catalyst

Part 4: Tirtad – Fanning the Flames
Day 5: Etchmiadzin the Altar of Light

Labor Goals

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Armodoxy for Today: Labor Day

Here in the United States we celebrate Labor Day today, the first Monday of September. In other countries there are comparable holidays such as Worker’s Day, but the American holiday differs a bit in that it focuses on the labor, the work, that a person does.

In our society, that labor produces income and accumulated income brings financial rewards, which can, and does, skew our sense of true values. Money becomes a goal rather than a means to the goal.

Christ invites us to a productive life. Whether by way of his metaphor of grapes and grapevines, expressed in John 15, or by way of the Parable of the Talents, as presented in Matthew 25, where he encourages us to exploit the talents that God has given each of us. Large or small, few or many, each person has talents that need to be found. An appropriate search for the Labor Day holiday.

Today, one minute for Summertime.

Jesus closer than you think

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Armodoxy for Today: Closer than you think

A pious Christian will certainly jump at the chance to help, or even interact, with Christ. For many, Christ is only a person appearing in history, and so, it is safe to want come to his aid. If I were there at the time of the crucifixion, I certainly would have stood up against his accusers or torturers.

Of all the challenges Jesus offers to participate in the Kingdom, there is no invitation as clear as the one he offers when he says, “I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’… For inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” (Matthew 25)

No need to time travel to meet Jesus, he’s all around us.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Evil via the Moon Metaphor

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Armodoxy for Today: Evil via the Moon Metaphor

God’s invitation to participate in the fullness is life is often questioned in the face of evil. The “Problem of Evil” is the question of “Why evil?” especially with the tradition of a good and omnipotent God?  While religion has presented an assortment of solutions to the Problem of Evil – known as theodicies – sadly, it has also fired up people to point accusing fingers to others as the authors of evil.

A quick glance at the moon on any clear night might help in providing an answer. The moon’s pocked-marked surface is credited to its lack of an atmosphere. Space objects have hit its surface, and the result Is evident. As for the Earth, we have an atmosphere protecting us from rocks and boulders that disintegrate on their way down. The price of this protection, we have to deal with atmospheric catastrophes such storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and the like. It’s all part of the deal.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Worship

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Armodoxy for Today: Worship

Worship is often looked at as an extra bit of religiosity in the Christian experience. Implied in worship and the language of worship is often feelings of purpose, that is to please God. Much of the Old Testament contributes to this feeling that has traces of the pagan rituals to please the gods, and avoid their wrath.

Worship is your acceptance of Christ’s invitation, to participate in life. Worship in the Armenian Church, contrary to everything you may have heard or felt, is a celebration. It takes place in the presence of God and all the saints, and unites us with all others who participate in the worship throughout the world, as one Christian family. Here we lose the self and understand ourselves as part of the bigger collective, with responsibilities toward our families, communities and the world.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Cover: Etchmiadzin Congregation, Gregory Beylerian, 2014

The IAN family marker

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Armodoxy for Today: The IAN family marker

Armenian names traditionally end with an I-A-N (alternatively with a Y-A-N) to denote belonging. It means, “From the family of…” The last name “Petrosian” says from the family of Petros, equivalent to Peterson in English.

Jesus’ family members have the same I-A-N naming tradition. They are called Christian, that is, of the family of Christ. His family is made up of those who accept his invitation to join.

In Matthew, chapter 12 we read Jesus’ words as He “stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.’” (vs. 48-50)

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Start with Amen

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Armodoxy for Today: Amen

Prayers end with a one-word sentence: Amen (alternatively pronounced: Āmen). It means “So be it.” The word Amen is written with a period after it. It is a complete expression defying the norms of sentence structure with a noun and verb. So be it.

It is a ratification on our part. Throughout Scripture, we find Jesus is asking us to participate in the Kingdom. Amen is the single word answer to that participation request. It is a complete and solid admission that we are in sync with a prayer or a statement. So be it. Amen.

This week we will be looking at Christ’s invitation to us, to not be passive in the face of the miracle of life, but to participate. Amen, is often stated at the end of a prayer, for our purposes, it is the first step in participating in God’s Kingdom. So be it.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.