Noise around St. Mary

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St. Mary amidst the noise

Next Step #817 – August 15, 2026 – The Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary this week is cover up by a wave of noise that detracts from her central message to us. As one who gave birth to LOVE, it’s hard to find her amidst the noise. She comes from the tradition of “Seven Sorrows” in the Roman Catholic tradition, and a church in Gyumri, Armenia that has served both Armenian Apostolic and Roman Catholics. Fr. Vazken shares a preface to his sermon about the seven-wounds of Mary. But first… the new self-appointed guardians of democracy hit the local Armenian Church as an easy target (cf. Epstein files, genocide, etc). Vying for the status of influencer, they miss an opportunity to connect to something higher. And more…

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
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Photo: from a Facebook post – Wannabe defenders of freedom bully their way in front of an Armenian church. >

Church-State Separation Ignored by Armenian Government

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Next Step #816: Separation of Church and State Ignored with the First Christian Nation

For the first time since independence, the Armenian government began its new session without the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of the All Armenians. The government of Armenia, ignoring all Western protocols of separation of Church and State, is bringing the Catholicos to trial for following Church canons and laws. A case of greatest in the Oriental (Eastern) Orthodox Church – good intentions but what does it mean? With, as always, stories and adventures from Fr. Vazken.

Links:
Trial of Catholicos of All Armenians violates principle of church autonomy, religious freedom group says – NEWS.am
Armenian church leader to go on trial in widening confrontation with government | Reuters
Catholicos, six bishops face trial – PanARMENIAN.Net
Karekin II Meets with Parliament’s Opposition Forces Ahead of Inaugural Session – Asbarez.com
Separation of Church and State
Martin Luther
Window View of the Armenian Church
Puff the Magic Dragon
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
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Fourth Dimension for the Generations

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Next Step with Fr. Vazken #815 – July 24, 2026
The challenge to understand Holy Scripture as a product of the fourth dimension, namely, its time, yet sharing the timeless truth of Armodoxy. Generational realities in communications, transportation, books, music and genocide. From Fr. Vazken’s notebook: a woman of faith finds peace and reconciliation.  Generational Ends.
Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
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Next Step 814 – Foundations

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Next Step with Fr. Vazken #814 – Building faith on a strong, solid and fortified foundation – July 17, 2026 – A look at the epilogue of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7). Learning from a grandson’s Lego-build. Proverbs about knowledge and non-knowledge coming up. “Just war” and alternatives – including a relief to the floods and an end to draught. The Church reacts, via this voice.

Links:
Lazarus Heist Podcast
The Interview (movie about Korean Emperor killing)
From the Analects of Confuisus
Maxim Vengerov Khatchadourian’s Sabre Dance
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
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Nightmare: Loss of Control and our World

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Reenacting history and the Rewriting the past

Fr. Vazken on nightmares: Loss of control is the common denominator in all of them. The loss of the rule of law that we feel today and the loss of the appellate process. Rewriting History: Smithsonian to the Rwandan Museum. Where to protest or appeal?  The Spirit of 1927 continues in a people of 2026: 1927 Independence Day Photo and now (2026) Reenacting it.  The pawns of politics. Finding the Person of Truth. St. Nersess Shnorhali offers the primer.
New Church in Glendale: Foundation Consecrated
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
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Independence at 250

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Independence at 250

Next Step #812 – July 3, 2026 – On the eve of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence, Fr. Vazken shares his thoughts on the Declaration of Independence, Materialism, the current celebration, How many elephants can you fit into a room before you admit that there’s one? Today’s imponderable, worth pondering.
Includes Fr. Vazken’s prayer for the day
White Houses, Eric Burdon and the Animals

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
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Answering the Imponderable

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The Next Step with Fr. Vazken #811 – Answering the Imponderable

From the character of aliens, to Neil Degrass Tyson, to the theological wonders of thinkers throughout the centuries, a look at the hows and whys of imponderables large and small, great and insignificant.
Links:
Neil Degrass Tyson – Take Me to Your Leader
Search for Extra Terrestrial (SETI)
Carl Segan “Contact”
Tsundoku
Lusine Zakarian – Khorhurt Khorin
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Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
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18th Anniversary Edition

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Next Step begins 19th Year of Podcasting

Next Step #810 – The 18th Anniversary Edition – After a short hiatus, Fr. Vazken is back to usher in the 19th year of the Next Step, tracking developments in the world and the Armenian Church.
“Back in the saddle again,” bringing it all to you: Armenian Orthodoxy for the world today
Gor Mkhitarian “Spirit” album
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
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Masis: A Puzzle Piece at Thanksgiving (Next Step #809)

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Masis: A Puzzle Piece at Thanksgiving

Next Step #809 – November 27, 2025 – Thanksgiving Edition. A fun and personal exploration on Thanksgiving morning, putting pieces together around the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Fr. Vazken discusses personal memories and how they contribute to filling in the puzzle of life, faith and ultimately, peace. From Genocide survivor to a parade, from a wishful lunch date to our first-world problems, a set of questions and answers that will have you reflecting, asking and connecting.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025
Thank You Very Much, Scaffolds
Cover Photo Varoujan Movsesian, 2025
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
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Masis: A Puzzle Piece at Thanksgiving

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Masis: A Puzzle Piece at Thanksgiving

Next Step #809 – November 27, 2025 – Thanksgiving Edition. A fun and personal exploration on Thanksgiving morning, putting pieces together around the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Fr. Vazken discusses personal memories and how they contribute to filling in the puzzle of life, faith and ultimately, peace. From Genocide survivor to a parade, from a wishful lunch date to our first-world problems, a set of questions and answers that will have you reflecting, asking and connecting.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025
Thank You Very Much, Scaffolds
Cover Photo Varoujan Movsesian, 2025
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
Subscribe and listen on demand on your favorite pod-catcher!
We’re on Pandora, Spotify and Apple Podcasts