Guest Editorial: Gail Cheleblian
“From the depths of my heart, this conversation with God…” starts St. Gregory of Narek’s (Narekatsi) prayers. A millennium has passed since the time of the great mystic and theologian. In this short reflection, Gail Cheleblian shares some observations that land her in a familiar place. She is the Superintendent of the St. James (Los Angeles) Sunday School and wrote this piece for their parish newsletter, “Oshagan” (September 14, 2025)
Lions and Tigers and Prayers, Oh My!
On September 7th, we kicked off the 2025-26 Sunday school year here at St. James. I’ve been serving as superintendent for a long time, and I have to say that it was truly one of the best first days ever! So many smiles, hugs, and excitement to be together again. Our theme this year is the Power of Prayer and mine were certainly answered last Sunday.
The importance of prayer goes without saying, and if you are reading this article then you likely feel the same way. Prayer to a Christian is like water to a fish – we can’t live without it! So we will spend our time in our classrooms devoted to discussing the who, what, where, when, how, and why of praying. So much to do and so little time, but we have already gotten straight to work.
During our morning assembly the students and I made a circle and each of us took turns sharing what we pray for . . . out loud. YES – out loud! Now, I have prayed my entire life, but I found this activity to be very unnatural for me. My prayers have always been private, kept to myself, unspoken, between me and God, so my uncomfortableness was a real, “a-ha” moment for me, and I designed the activity! There have been many occasions when I have listened to another person speak spontaneously and lead a prayer, but the only prayers I have said aloud are ones that I have memorized. Those feel “safe” to me, and maybe speaking from the heart would leave me too exposed. I’m really not sure, but I started to question my ability to pray.
Because of this, I knew I had to make prayer a focus with our Sunday school children. Like them, I grew up in the Armenian Church, attending Sunday school. But unlike me, these students will have this safe place to practice and share spontaneously prayer. There are many prayers that are meant to be recited from memory, Hayr Mer, for example. But I learned from a spiritual mentor that this type of spontaneous prayer actually has a name: “Eenk-na-pookh,” or simply speaking from the heart, out loud. Oftentimes the best rewards come from pushing through a bit of discomfort, so I am committed to be along the “eenk-na-pookh” journey with the children and I pray that with practice, we will all master the activity.
Once again, my faith was strengthened from a lesson being shared with the students – another prayer answered. St. James is a magical place where we are never too young or too old to strengthen our faith. There is always an opportunity to grow and learn, just like at home.
In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy learns that to find her way home, she only has to click her ruby red slippers together and say 3 times, “There’s no place like home.” As Christians, we should always remember that this church is God’s home, and all prayer is welcomed here! Feeling lost? Simply fold your hands, (crossing your right thumb over your left*), and say aloud, “There’s no place like St. James, there’s no place like St. James, there’s no place like St. James!”
Faithfully, Gail Chelebian Superintendent
*Crossing thumbs when praying, specifically with the right thumb over the left in a cross shape, is a traditional Christian gesture, symbolizing loyalty to God and the cross of Christ.
Post Script: During Epostle’s weekly Bible Study, individual/personal prayer by the members is encouraged. An archive of those prayers can be read at the “Prayers from Questions” blog.
Candid Conversation with Tigranna Zakarian
Internation Human Rights Activist, Refugee Response Coordinator
This is the soundtrack (AUDIO ONLY) of Next Step #805
Watch the Video at
Recorded September 2025
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
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The Next Step with Fr. Vazken, SE, August 9, 2025
Activism in a world plagued by intolerance, war and even genocide. Here is a must-listen-to interview with Sophia Armen, a fresh voice, who shares her views on identity, activism and global challenges. Sophia Armen is a community organizer and scholar from Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Armen serves as Executive Director of Armenian-American Advancement Network and as Co-Chair of the CA Middle Eastern and North African-American Civil Rights Coalition. She holds a PhD in Ethnic Studies and has been active in a diverse array of community initiatives.
Recorded: 1 August 2025
Links:
https://drsarmen.com
Armenian-American Advancement Network
@armenianamericanadvnetwork
From Dr. Armen’s website: Dr. Sophia Armen is a Middle Eastern-American feminist organizer, scholar, and writer. She holds a PhD in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, San Diego. Her research “A Peoples’ History of Middle Eastern-Americans, 1890-1930” focuses on the racialization of Middle Eastern peoples in the United States, from the perspectives of organizers and refugees through feminist theory and methodologies. She has been building in the feminist, SWANA, and survivor justice movements in the United States for over 15 years. She is a descendant of genocide survivors from Kharpert, Van, Hadjin and Istanbul. She served as the Co-Chair of The FF.
On July 15, there was a happy celebration in the basement hall of the large church in Vanadzor, Armenia. At first glance, it appeared to be another graduation ceremony, but this was much more. It was a time to witness smiles returning to faces that had, for too long, shed tears and dealt with grief and loss compounded by the uncertainty of relocation. A group of women, who, along with their families, had been displaced from their homes in Artsakh, received a second chance, a chance to start over. Each woman completed months of sewing and tailoring training as part of a special opportunity organized by the Gougark Diocese. They spent several hours a week learning how to design and sew clothing, while studying business principles and practicing techniques to improve their physical and mental health. Each graduate, on completing their course of study, was awarded a brand-new sewing machine for them to create their own products and start their own small business ventures.
When Armenians were exiled from their ancestral homeland in Artsakh in 2023, prospects for the future looked bleak. The Azeri plan of ethnic cleansing created over 120,000 refugees. A group of them were resettled in Vanadzor. Although Vanadzor is the third largest city in Armenia (behind Yerevan and Gyumri) and is blessed with the beauty of nature, job opportunities are scarce, especially for married or older women who face systemic discrimination in the workforce. Economically many families find it difficult to make a living wage and are forced to leave Armenia to find work in places such as Moscow.
Epostle Team meeting with Vanadzor Diocesan staff headed by Bishop Hovnan Hakopyan
Over the last year, Epostle representatives made two trips to Vanadzor under the program “Vibrantz for Vanadzor,” aiming to establish partnerships between Epostle and the Diocese in Vanadzor. In our most recent visit in March, we heard the stories of despair and hopelessness directly from the refugee women from Artsakh. Touched by each struggle, Epostle committed to supporting the women and helping them build a new life and a better future in their new homeland.
Vibrantz for Vanadzor funded the entire training program and the new sewing machines for each woman. Today, seeing their smiles, their enthusiasm and their hope, we know that they will take the skills they have learned and mark their new successes in the next chapter of their lives. We are so proud of each participant, and we are forever grateful for the amazing teaching and leadership team of the Gougark Diocese who has made such positive impacts.
Vibrantz for Vanadzor began with the Cars & Coffee for Artsakh fund raiser at the Western Diocese and St. Leon Armenian Church in 2023. Thanks to the commitment and direction of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Diocesan Primate, the program gained momentum through the Gougark Diocese and their Primate, Bishop Hovnan Hakopyan.
We will continue to support and follow-up with each graduate as they continue their journey of building a financial foundation for themselves and their families. Please join us and continue to follow Epostle to witness the positive progress from Vibrantz in Vanadzor.
Epostle: Connecting to Church and Culture
With over half a million Armenians living across the United States, the Armenian Church remains committed to serving all members of the community—no matter where they call home. While there are 40 parishes in the Western Diocese and 48 in the Eastern Diocese, these brick-and-mortar locations can’t reach every Armenian geographically.
This map illustrates the distribution of Armenian populations by county. Darker shades of green indicate higher concentrations, while pins represent existing parish locations. But what about those living far from a parish? How does the Church extend its mission and message?
Epostle is the answer. Through an internet connection, the richness of Armenian Church life and culture becomes accessible in real time—right from your computer, tablet, or wearable device. Epostle brings liturgy, learning, and community directly to you, wherever you are.
Importantly, Epostle is a supplement to, not a substitute for, local parish engagement. It expands the Church’s reach and supports its mission without replacing the depth of in-person community worship.
At Epostle, we believe that using technology creatively is a powerful way to fulfill the Great Commission—the divine call Jesus gave His disciples after His resurrection to share His message, make disciples, and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Next Step #803 – June 18, 2025
War and peace, as the world bunkers up for more aggressive rhetoric. Is it Pandora’s box? Or is there a way of go back to the message of overcoming violence with love? Compassion as measured through shoe sizes. The torture a prisoner in our midst. Fr. Vazken reflects about the 17th anniversary of the Next Step the purpose of this podcast today.
Music: “Hrashk” by Gor Mkhitarian
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for http://Epostle.net
Subscribe and listen on demand on your favorite pod-catcher!
We’re on Pandora, Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Artist Rendering: Suzie & Fr. Vazken recording the Next Step in the early days of Epostle at the Glendale studio
His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians has invited Armenians throughout the world to celebrate “The Week of Ararat” – June 14-22 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
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.
Gala Danilova, a refugee from Artsakh (Nagorna-Karabakh) discusses the process of exile from their home, and how to balance the feelings of hatred and sorrow with the power of love. Interviewed March 31, 2025, Yerevan, Armenia by Fr. Vazken Movsesian The protest in Yerevan took place right after this interview. Camera, Edited and Produced by Gregory Beylerian
