Walking Against Cancer

September 22-23 – Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
We’re in it to end it!

On Facebook: Team In Her Shoes
On Twitter: InHisShoes – we’ll be tweeting from the walk
Photo: Ani Burr & Anush Avejic, 2011 Avon Walk >

Message from Fr. Vazken… “Why I’m walking”
I’m committing to walk 39 miles this year. It’s a personal walk for me because cancer almost took away something very precious to me. Eighteen years ago my sister was diagnosed with this disease. My sister is one of the bravest and fiercest people I know. She beat it! She stopped cancer.

But last year, it resurfaced. Eighteen years later cancer was back. And by the Grace of God, she beat it! My precious sister is still with us.

No one should have to go through cancer. It is a dreaded and awful disease. I know, because I’m a survivor myself.

I’m walking to do away with cancer forever. Not for just for 18 years, but forever. I know it’s a tall order. Cancer, especially breast cancer, is a big disease. So I’m starting this walk off with a dream, imagining a world without cancer/without disease. It’s a very big dream, but dreams do come true, when enough people believe in the dream. And so I’m asking you to dream with me. OK? Now, let’s wake up and do something to make it come true.

In September I’ll be walking 39 miles with thousands of others who share the dream. I’ll be walking with my wife, my sisters, and many friends as part of the Team In Her Shoes.

I’m committing to collect $1,800 by September, but I hope to collect more. The money I raise will be managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade to help provide access to care for those that most need it, fund educational programs, and accelerate research into new treatments and potential cures.

You can financially support our Team by making a donation, payable to “Avon Breast Cancer Walk” and mail to St. Peter Armenian Church, 632 W. Stocker St, Glendale, CA 91202 (you may visit my Avon site and donate on the “Donate Now” button if you prefer).

I’m a man of faith. I believe in the power of prayer. If you or a loved one has been hit by cancer, please provide me with their names. I will offer special prayers in preparation for the walk and on the Sunday morning that we are on the walk. Cancer is big. God is bigger. This truth is the first stepping stone in my walk.

Thank you in advance.

Fr. Vazken

Hashtag Expectations

Next Step #309 – May 8, 2014

The perils of the ethnic Christian churches are explored as two Pontiffs, HH Karekin II & HH Francis meet and are tagged for history. The treasure of orthodoxy goes beyond the ethnic adjective affixed to the branch, but how? Fr. Vazken takes the listener on a journey to the roots of orthodoxy and ends up with the hybrid of yesterday and today, ethnicity and spirituality. Some definitive statements about Armodoxy are made herein. Also – if gambling isn’t evil, what’s all the fuss about?
Song: “Vagharshabat” by Arax 
Meeting of the pontiffs
Fr. Vazken’s blog: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Pontiffs, HH Karekin II & HH Francis

Packaging & the Product

Next Step 308 – May1, 2014

Thoughts from Las Vegas, Nevada and the Diocesan Assembly. Packaging the “Product” of the Church – how the Kingdom of God is marketed with consideration to truth in advertising. Quality Assurance by checking our mission as a church. Institution, Product, Infrastructure – all examined from this desert resort.
Song: “What the World Needs Now” by Dionne Warwick
Fr. Vazken’s Sermons
Gospel of St. John, chapter 1
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Profoundly True Reconciliation

Next Step #307 – April 24, 2014

Reconciling the message “Christ is Resurrected” with the reality of Genocide that comes today. Glendale is a ghost town this day, and the trappings of the Church made for some frustration that Fr. Vazken shares with the listeners in this episode. Listen in to a Holy Week and Genocide Commemoration that offer so much more for Christian identity in the 21st century.
Song: “After the War” by Ian Anderson
Fr. Vazken at the Montebello Monument
Leveraging Love
Easter Sunrise Liturgy (with text)
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Tell Me Why the Badarak?

Next Step #306 – April 17, 2014

Holy Thursday and the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. Some reflections following the celebration of the Sacrament. A special look during the Christian Holy Week at the services that take and give Life! Jesus’ “unfailing” words regarding the Bread of Life (John 6) and how to make the connection of “I in Him and Him in me.” The opening of eyes at Emmaus. Jesus Christ Superstar and the questions we shouldn’t be afraid to ask. All this as a prelude to the Easter celebration of the Holy Resurrection.
Song: Holy Etchmiadzin Divine Liturgy
Govya Yerousaghem by the Seminarians of the Vazkenian Seminary at Lake Sevan
Jesus Christ Superstar
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Prelude to Holy Week

Next Step #305 – April 10, 2014

Get ready for a life changing experience; Fr. Vazken explores the story of Lazarus and his sister’s Mary & Martha as a Prelude to Holy Week. In this unique approach to the Passion of Christ, a challenge for personal growth by way of the Holy Cross is extended to all. Also, the parable of the Pearl – the treasure of the Armenian Church in our life. Jehovah’s Witness pamphlets – under the guise of an invitation.
Song: Django Reinhardt “I’ll never be the same
Lenten Journey – the Nine Days of Holy Week
Lenten Journey – Road to Healing
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Tapping into Peace with a Lever

Next Step #304 – April 3, 2014

Saving Kessab via the Leveraging Love. Tapping into Peace. In His Shoes and the Healing of the Planet all in this edition.
Song: Nayats Sirov by St. Nersess Seminary
Leveraging Love
Leo Tolstoy’s The Kingdom of God is Within You
In His Shoes http://InHisShoes.org
Rwandan Genocide Blog
Road to Healing Lenten Blog
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Parable Add-Ons

Next Step #303 – March 27, 2014

Questioning the parables and finding additional messages. Another look at the Prodigal Son, redemption, reconciliation. Lost and Found. How a bicycle ride teaches us the secrets of looking in the right destination and finding balance in life.
Song: “Daradzyalk” – www.StNersess.edu
Road to Healing Podcast
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Familiarity without Contempt

Next Step #302 – March 20, 2014

Equinox edition. An interview with Dave Lurssen (Arts & Entertainment Editor of ExpressMilwuakee.com and Shepherd Express) speaks candidly about his choice to serve in the Armenian Church – the viability of the Armenian Church. More on the Prodigal and healing through forgiveness. “Aligning of events” including Abp. Tutu’s message for forgiveness.
Song: “I Could Only Imagine” by Mercy Me dedicated to Liz Lazarian (1922-2014)
Fruits of the Spirit by Elizabeth Lazarian: www.InHisShoes.org/Lazarian
Datev Outreach in Milwaukee
Fr. Nareg Keutelian on the Next Step
Lenten Journey – Time to Heal
Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s Book
The Power of Truth by Dave Luhrssen (1994)
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
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From Pawn to King in a Week

Next Step #301 – March 13, 2014

Exploring the definitions of God explored and then delivered via an unusual character, namely the squirrelly and squandering boy known as the Prodigal. This episode ties in with the healing process of within and without. It opens new ideas for Armodoxy, along with some cosmic math – tying up the mystery of the numbers and the episode.
Song: Der Voghormia – chant of forgiveness
Lenten Journey – Healing
Bland Lenten Page: http://www.armenianorthodoxy.org/lent/
Prodigal Son
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio!