Elements of the Conundrum

Next Step #202 – April 19, 2012

In a month of Resurrection we’re commemorating Genocide. Puzzle? Conundrum? Changing the language of conflict and understanding victory in terms expressed by Jesus. The path of the politicians, the challenge of St. Paul and the power of Christ come into play in this “Genocide Edition” of the Next Step.  Fr. Vazken brings it all together with a Christian message that is powerful, victorious and full of peace. Also -The April shower of tears won’t lead to May flowers this time, but will attempt to alleviate nausea. Religiosity of the shakers and movers, the rejection of the intelligentsia.
Ani’s Bubbles:  A Living Faith – Vincent Van Gogh
Song: “Menk Ankeghtz Zinvor Enk” by Hovhaness Badalian
Khirmian Hayrig’s Paper Ladle: http://armenianhouse.org/khrimyan-hayrik/loving-father.html
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on 
blubrry.com

mm 050321 mm

Starting the 325

Next Step #201 – April 12, 2012

The message of resurrection after the celebration of Easter reverberates, but under what conditions? A look at the altar dynamics and the recreation of the “Badarak” as a sacrificial expression of friendship. Guest Linda Zadoian (from Compass) discusses the evolution of the means by which evangelization takes place. Grass roots change to the Armenian Church. WWMMT: What would Mary Magdalen tweet? “I went to the tomb, it was empty!” Wouldn’t it have been a shame if her tweet was pushed down the Twitter page because of other tweets? Ongoing thoughts about Fr. Vazken’s & Fr. McKenzie’s sermons…
Ani’s Bubbles: A sign of faith
TAAB2: http://youtu.be/q7jZMCBEsZM
Song: Al Massih Qam by Rula Kishek
Lend a Second Hand Round #2
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on 
blubrry.com

The Shadow of the Resurrection

Next Step #200 – April 5, 2012

A reading of the Resurrection narrative according to Matthew – fear and joy exist together in anticipation of victory. Tracing the message of the Empty Tomb, courtesy of Thad & Bart, through Armenia and history. Arriving today-getting real with the resurrection in your life, discovering the joy of Mystery – fear and joy existing together – deep in life.
Ani’s Bubbles – The Poor Rich Family
Daily messages for Holy Week
Song: “Govya Yerusaghem
Lusine Zakarian “Khorhoort Khorin”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on 
blubrry.com

Remember ‘Current Events’? Did the Church forget?

Next Step #199 – March 29, 2012

Revisiting the disenfranchised community (and we’re NOT talking about those who don’t attend church.) Targeting Armodoxy to the “three groups.” The Church and its relevancy to the multitalented/multidimensional individual. HH Vazken I of Blessed Memory (1955-1994), guiding the Armenian Church from Cold War to Independence: the Working of the Holy Spirit; Remembering the “Thief on the Cross” and then remembering ourselves. The “Opportunity Clause” used by Christians to rationalize a loving and damning God. The Basis of the Second Coming of Christ – looking at the Bottom Line of the Christian Message. A quick look at newspapers and a prelude to the “Virtual Armenia.”
Song: “Nayatz Sirov” by the Seminarians of the Vazkenian Seminary, Lake Sevan, Armenia
Daily messages for Holy Week: https://epostle.net/easter/
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on 
blubrry.com

Fr. Vazken at the statue of HH Vazken I at the Seminary in his name, Lake Sevan, Armenia

The Crystal Within

Next Step #197 – March 15, 2012

An interview with Linda Maxwell, co-founder of We Care for Youth and from Bliss Unlimited. Linda has spent her life inspiring and motivating people, primarily young people, in a path of responsibility and action, all motivated by her deep seated belief and faith in the good. Listen in on this conversation about meaning and purpose, as Linda discusses her recent retreat in India as well as her life and her work. This is a coffee-break within a coffee-break.
Part 1 of this Conversation – Next Step #168 
Song: “Distant Lands” by Armen Chakmakian
We Care for Youth: http://www.wecareforyouth.org/
Bliss Unlimited
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on 
blubrry.com

updated 050321 mm

Standing between Two Worlds

Next Step #196 – March 8, 2012 

The true story of the Sun and the Moon is offered on this day of the full moon and solar flares. The story of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16) sets the tone for a discussion of straddling two worlds – the physical and the spiritual, as Fr. Vazken opens a personal vortex into his ministry. This is a brief look at his own Lenten reflection and introspection. Loneliness and Joni Mitchell’s concert?
Song: Dele Yaman from the Raven CD
I Confess with Faith: www.armenianorthodoxy.org/I_confess_with_Faith.pdf
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on 
blubrry.com

Transforming the Heresy Card beyond P-C-O

Next Step #195 – March 1, 2012

The day after Leap Day, we’re syncing with the universe. The transforming power of Christ during the Lenten Season. A chance to reflect on the power of Abp. Vatche’s Interview. Are Armenians Orthodox – on the heresy card, played by Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants. An inward look at the sin of the Church in reference to homosexuality. Digitizing LP’s, Davey Jones’ (Monkees) passing.
Song: Kapama by the Armenian Song & Dance Ensemble
Ani’s Bubbles: “Great Love”
Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian Interview on Compass #20
Links from Harry Hagopian – Human Beings & Ultimate Origins
Panorthodoxy in America: http://bellarmine.lmu.edu/ecumenical
Freedom: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/2367/archbishop-on-bonhoeffer-what-it-means-to-be-free
Lenten Resources: http://armenianorthodoxy.org/lent/
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on 
blubrry.com

Bravery like St. Vartan’s

Next Step #193 – February 16, 2012

What makes St. Vartan “brave”? Another episode “from the desert” with analysis of courage and faith. On the fundamentalists and the rejection of literal translations of the Bible. Followup on the Domestic Violence Walk in Glendale. From Tempe Arizona.
Song: “Yegeghetzin Haygagan” by the Students of the Vazkenian Seminary, Lake Sevan, Armenia
Translation: http://zohrabcenter.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/cultural-tidbits-part-3-vahan-tekeyan-prince-of-poetry/
Ani’s Bubbles: “The Rose Within”
Walk for Domestic Violence: www.inhisshoes.org
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on 
blubrry.com

Purifying the Dogs of Midwinter

Next Step #191 – February 2, 2012

The Church comes alive as it lives its mission in creating awareness for Domestic Violence and a shelter for the abused. Religion meets relevance, as Fr. Vazken takes the discussion from the Groundhog’s Day, to Diaruntarach to purity. Can you preach what you don’t believe? Then, how can Christians light a candle, pray to pictures and close their eyes to abused women and hungry children? Add some dessert to the cafeteria menus of religion in this one. Maternity leave according to the Bible. A farewell to Ken.
Walk for Domestic Violence: http://inhisshoes.org
Jesuit College Leader
Song: Rouben Hakhverdian “Poetner yev shuner” (Poets & dogs)
Engineered by Ken T. Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on 
blubrry.com

A Relevant Church does not Silently Protest

Next Step #190 – January 26, 2012

When the Church turns relevant in the lives of the people it gives concrete means and ways of overcoming difficulties and tragedies. “Peace be with You” in light of terrorism – answers from the monastery. The act of love and care in the Early Church, as expressed in the book of Act. How the Einsteinian equation affects the USC-ASA. The Lost In Space Robot and imagination. Respecting the simple and rejecting the obscene. Introduction to the Presentation of the Lord (Luke 2:22) and the Rally against Domestic Violence.
Peace be with You by David Carlson
Robot Voice dies
Ani’s Bubble: On Hope and Pediatric Nursing
Song: Datevik’s “Ari Intz”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on 
blubrry.com