Covered Up at Ani

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Armodoxy for Today: Covered up at Ani

The City of Ani in Western Armenia was once known as the city of 1001 churches. These were Armenian Church, with domes that were patterned on the architecture of Holy Etchmiadzin, the first Christian Cathedral built in 303AD. Like Holy Etchmiadzin, the Cathedral and churches of Ani were in Armenia proper until the lands were occupied.

A few years ago I organized a pilgrimage to this sacred space and took 25 pilgrims with me. There we witnessed the first part of “operation cover up.” Informational signs that were placed at the entrance of the city read in English, French and Turkish, with absolutely no mention of the Armenian origins of these churches, nor any reference to their functionality as shrines of the Armenian Church.

Today, part two of “operation cover up” takes place as the Turkish government has decided to topple the shrines.

 Our Lord Jesus says, “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.” (Luke 8:17-18)

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Cover image: The entrance to Ani today, with three signs.

Learn more: Podcast series “Echoes of Ararat” with Gregory Beylerian at https://epostle.net/echoes-of-ararat

Truth Times Two

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Armodoxy for Today: Truth times two

There is a story about a race between a Russian and an American. The two men start at the same point, run around a track and the American comes in a few seconds before the Russian. The American news service reports, “American wins race. Russian comes in last place.” The Russian news service reports, “Russian comes in second place. American is next to last.”

Neither news agency reported false facts. Neither agency lied. They both told the truth as it best suited their purpose. That purpose is what you must decipher by looking at intentions. This is very important today as more and more individuals and groups rally for your attention.

In stark contrast, as Christians, our truth is a person. “I am the way, the truth and the life,’ says Jesus. Go ahead and test this truth for purpose and intention. You’ll find that this Truth has a genuine purpose which is Life itself.

Today’s one-minute for Summertime.

Spirit Articulated

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Armodoxy for Today: Articulating Spirit

 Jesus taught with parables. This one came with a question. He begins, “A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’  He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I [will] go, sir,’ but he did not go.”

Jesus then asks the simple question: “Which of the two did the will of his father?”

They said to Him, “The first.” (Matthew 21:28-32)

The first said no but regretted his decision to disobey and did it. The other, said he would do what was asked, but did not.

Our words are articulations of our mouth. Our actions, are the articulation of our spirit.

Today’s one-minute for Summertime.

A Match to Light Our Worship

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Armodoxy for Today: A Match to Light our Worship

One Sunday morning, one of the young altar boys of our church, handed me a small box. On the box was a handwritten gift tag, “To the Church. Open now!” it said. It was wrapped in Christmas paper, though it was mid-July.

The celebration of the Divine Liturgy was about to begin and although I insisted on punctuality for the service, my curiosity got the better of me. Quickly I opened the package. In it was a book of 50 matches. I looked over at Mher, and he didn’t wait for me to ask. He reminded me that last week I looked all over for matches to light the altar candles. So this young boy took the initiative to solve the problem. During the week he went shopping and now provided enough matches to last the entire year.

At eight years old, Mher understood this was his church. He saw a need and took care of it. It’s not more complicated than that, or as Jesus taught, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)

Today’s one-minute for Summertime.

7×77, Really?

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Armodoxy for Today: That many times, really?

July 7 is a very special day for us at Epostle.net. It was on July 7, 2007 that we organized the first-ever forgiveness day international conference, under the In His Shoes banner, featuring speakers from Rwanda, Armenia and Mexico, events, discussions with scholars and produced a human chain of sevens. The day was numerically written as 7/7/7 which corresponded to Jesus’ answer to Peter’s question, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”

“I say to you, not seven times,” answered Jesus, “But, until seventy-seven times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

Certainly, the numbers are irrelevant. That is, 7×77 is not to be worked out at 539, but as a code for countless. Jesus puts it out as the Christian imperative: Forgive, without limits. Further, he assures us that our Father in Heaven forgives us our trespasses, by the same scale that we forgive those who trespass against us.

Forgiveness is the hallmark and calling card of Christianity. It is central to understanding the power of Jesus’ message for peace and harmony in the world.

It doesn’t escape us that this year, the numbers once again line-up as 7/7/25, the sum of the 2-5 are yet another seven. It is merely a pointer, a way of remembering that our only hope – whether for individual relationships, or to achieve global harmony – our only hope is through this ultimate weapon of love.

Today’s one-minute for Summertime.

If you’d like to learn more about the international conference on forgiveness? Visit the links below.

https://epostle.net/peace-spiral and at https://epostle.net/7×77

Declaring and Doing

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Armodoxy for Today: Declaring and Doing

For years, part of my office decor has been a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence. This is the document that was signed on this day, the fourth of July in 1776, by a group of men who were expressing their dream of freedom and independence. They proclaimed that there were “self-evident” truths, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” And with these words the experiment in democracy, the United States of America, was born.

I find these thoughtful and beautifully crafted words to be sacred, because they express the inner dreams of humankind. In the Declaration of Independence can be heard the cries of the human soul for rights and equalities. Certainly, true religion has and always must advocate for those rights.

The Armenian Church has lived within monarchies, kingdoms, dictatorships, oppressive and barbaric regimes, and even through atheistic Soviet society. The Gospel Message of Christ is greater than any political ideology and within the expression of the ancient Apostolic Church, that Message maintains its integrity despite the political climate of the age.

Declaring these truths is only half of the story. Living out the dream with our actions is the other half. The Independence Day celebration grants us an opportunity to reflect on our responsiveness to freedom and liberty, to the declarations we make, and to how those declarations are played out.

Today’s one-minute for Summertime and a bit for today’s Celebration.

We pray for America, we pray for ourselves, and we pray for our Armenian Church today. Heavenly Father, bless those who bless you. Give wisdom to leaders. Keep us vigilant in our commitment to pursue that which is necessary for our lives. And keep us focused on our commitment to work for peace on earth and good will toward one another. Amen.

 

Nektarios: Seeking God

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Armodoxy for Today: Inside and Out

St. Nektarios, venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition, directs us to “Seek God in your heart, not outside of it.”

The world is a big place. From mountain tops to ocean floors, the vastness can be overwhelming. In our attempts to engage with life and our passions, we may fall victim to that vastness, preventing us from fully exploring all that life has to offer.

God is the author of all. Seeking God within, that is, in the heart, is the starting point of all exploration because you are assured of being equipped with the necessary tools to appreciate the deepest and highest points of life.

Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Charents Charming Children

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Armodoxy for Today: Charming children

Yeghishé Charents was the main Armenian poet of the 20th century. He lived and wrote his creations following World War I, the Genocide and into the years of communism in Armenia, and was imprisoned for political reasons. In that gloominess, his poetry reflected the beauty around him, in a small patch of land called Armenia.

Charents wrote, “All my life, my impossible aim was to finish a song to charm children.” He wrote these lines on a handkerchief to his friend and fellow poet, Avetik Isahakyan, after hearing a prisoner sing one of Isahakyan’s songs in a neighboring cell.

“Charming children” in the midst of ugliness is more than swelling with optimism or staying positive, it’s recognizing the importance of new life and passing along hope.

Hum the song of the new day to the words that speak to your heart.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Addendum: The above verses continue with “just as all hearts quicken”

Voltaire’s Deal

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Armodoxy for Today: The Deal

Likening life to a game of cards, French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire observes, “Each player must accept the cards that life deals him or her. But once in hand one must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.”

The trick is to take control of what has been entrusted to you. Whether a simple game of cards or a complex life, looking back at the shuffle is a waste of time. Thank God that your eyes are in front of your head and not looking back. Celebrate what you have and take charge of those tools and talents to make a difference. Find the aces or your strongest talents. Play them to the best of your ability.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

 

No Atheists in Birthing Rooms

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Armodoxy for Today: Birthing Rooms

A foxhole is a hole in the ground used by soldiers as shelter against enemy fire. It’s been said that there are no atheists in foxholes. It’s an aphorism to suggest that in times of extreme fear or threat of death people will appeal to a higher power. In other words, when looking in the face of death, even the atheist will admit to a God.

Many years ago, I discovered another place where there are no atheists. The night my first child was born, it occurred to me that there aren’t any atheists in birthing rooms, either. When looking in the face of life, in its most delicate and novel state, you realize that the loss of your emotions is a connection to something greater than yourself. The details of fingernails that are thinner than paper point to life as anything but an accident.

I tested the theory a couple of times after that first experience. Same conclusion: There are no atheists in birthing rooms.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.