Exploring, like Columbus

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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 to be the First

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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.

 

Love that Chiasm

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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.