“If anyone does not abide in Me,” says Jesus, “he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”
Jesus cautions us about a life lived without purpose. In being connected to the vine, we understand that we have purpose and meaning by bearing fruit. The dead branches cannot bear fruit. Whatever dies withers and decays. With this metaphor, Jesus adds that room is made for the productive branches by gathering and burning the barren branches.
Now a word of caution before you start looking around for withering branches. Ours is to produce. Ours is to be connected to the Vine, to Love, so that we may produce good fruit. God is the sole Caretaker – the Vinedresser – who decides which branches remain and which are pruned.
With the lessons of the week, read the John 15 passage one more time and share the joy of your connection.
Armodoxy for Today, one minute for Summertime: Actions to Love
Christianity is a religion of action. Over and over again, Christ teaches that we are to use the talents God has given us to bring goodness to lives – ours, as well as the lives of others. It is in doing that we discover responsibility. Hence, life has value and meaning when we act, when we share the gifts God showers on us, with others.
Jesus’ singular commandment was to love. And to avoid an misunderstanding, Jesus demonstrates the action of love with His life. “Love one another as I have loved you,” he says (John 13:34). Jesus’ love is a sacrificial love. We’re called to that same standard, to love by giving of ourselves.
Today’s one minute for Summertime.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/bike-by-bus-stop-752.jpg11251125Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2026-08-07 00:10:272026-08-06 22:17:21El amor es una acción
The proclamation made by Peter, that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God” grants him a blessing by the Lord himself. “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah,” says Jesus, “for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I say to you that you are Peter, an on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Herein the eternal realm is aligned with the temporal. The Proclamation of the Christ as the Son of the Living God is the foundation upon which Church is built. It is the Church (in the story of the Transfiguration = Peter, John and James) who’s eyes are opened to the Revelation of the Christ Light. This Light is the original Light, not predicated on any other source but the Divine. In the beginning, before there was a sun or stars, there is Light, whether your definition of first moments are a Big Bang or the Words of the Creator, “Let there be Light.” Before there is anything to measure or quantify light, there is Light! At the Transfiguration, humanity – the Church – experienced a glimpse of the Eternal Light.
A set of conversations between Jesus and his disciples took place before the Transfiguration. This week we are looking at the sayings of Jesus as a preface to the Revealtion of God at this Event.
According to Matthew’s Gospel (16) Jesus asks his disciples, about the buzz on the streets of Jerusalem. “Who do people say that I, The Son of Man, am?”
The disciples gave some interesting answers – “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” Jesus asks. “Who do you say I am?”
This dialogue has been an ongoing one for two thousand years with people describing Jesus as a good man, a holy man, a teacher, a politician, a religious fanatic, or, as Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
People continue to dissect, analyze and try to understand Jesus. The important question has always been the same: What about you? Who do YOU say that I am?
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Faceless-Jesus-who-do-you-say-that-I-am.jpg900600Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2026-07-14 00:10:012026-07-14 20:17:20Transcripciones de la Transfiguración Parte 2
Armodoxia para hoy: El camino al centro de la luz – una miniserie de cinco partes con mensajes diarios dedicados a esta semana especial en la vida de la Iglesia Armenia. Cinco días, cinco inspiraciones, cinco chispas que se conectan para hacer brillar la luz de Cristo.
Día 5: Santa Etchmiadzin: El último día de la semana de celebración por la Conversión de Armenia es la Fiesta de Santa Etchmiadzin. El himno de Santa Etchmiadzin incluye la frase: “Ven, construyamos el altar de la Luz”.
Con la Conversión de Armenia, “La luz verdadera que alumbra a todo hombre” (Juan 1:9) iluminó a Armenia. Gregorio y Tirtad, mano a mano, iglesia y estado, se unieron para difundir el Evangelio entre el pueblo. En una visión, Gregorio vio a Jesucristo descender del cielo, señalando cuatro puntos y definiendo un área con un martillo de oro. Aquí es donde se construyó la primera Catedral de toda la cristiandad. La palabra “Etchmiadzin” define su visión, significando literalmente el “Descenso del Unigénito”.
La celebración de una semana, con las fiestas de las santas Hripsimé, Gayané y Gregorio, culmina con la proclamación de que el Hijo Unigénito de Dios descendió del cielo y se convirtió en la Luz que iluminó el alma armenia. Hoy, en toda Armenia, miles de peregrinos convergen en los monasterios de Hripsimé, Gayané y Khor-Virab para comulgar con la esencia de esta historia. Pero desde los inicios de la historia de la Iglesia armenia, el patrón de celebración se instauró porque la Luz de Cristo había transformado al pueblo. Solo 100 años después, la Iglesia en Armenia encargó la traducción de las Sagradas Escrituras. Para esta tarea, un monje llamado Mesrob Mashdots inventó el alfabeto armenio. Con ese alfabeto, toda la Biblia fue traducida de una manera que los estudiosos bíblicos consideran la “Reina de las Traducciones”. Posteriormente, la nación armenia disfrutó de una edad de oro de la literatura. La cultura y la educación fueron el sello distintivo de este período, gracias a la Iglesia.
Solo 150 años después de la Conversión, Armenia se vio obligada a entrar en una guerra debido a su compromiso con Jesucristo. La Batalla de Vartanants es considerada la primera batalla en la historia por la libertad de culto del cristianismo. Como resultado, el cristianismo se extendió como la pólvora. No fue la última vez que los armenios defendieron su fe. Han sido perseguidos hasta el punto del Genocidio y continúan siéndolo, porque llevaron la etiqueta de “cristianos”. Jesús nos invitó diciendo: “Si alguno quiere venir en pos de mí, niéguese a sí mismo, tome su cruz cada día y sígame”. Esa cruz ha sido pesada para el pueblo armenio, pero ha sido su salvación. El arzobispo Hovnan Derderian ha dicho: “Gracias a la Santa Etchmiadzin, nuestra presencia como nación y como pueblo está asegurada”.
Muchos intentan deshacerse de la cruz optando por las comodidades de este mundo. Trágicamente, lo que sacrifican es la plenitud de la vida y el brillo que proviene de la Luz.
Su Santidad Karekin I, de bendita memoria, proclamó una vez que “Etchmiadzin es Misión” y, con esa sencilla declaración, nos marcó un rumbo a cada uno de nosotros que entramos en contacto con esta historia. Como toda la historia que comunicamos a través de Epostle, la historia que escuchaste en la miniserie, Etchmiadzin encuentra su verdadero valor cuando nos conectamos con ella a través de nuestra vida. La misión es nuestra: proclamar la importancia de la Luz en medio de la oscuridad. Con guerras, odio e intolerancia a nuestro alrededor, la historia armenia de Etchmiadzin le ofrece al mundo una chispa de esperanza, encendida por la fortaleza, avivada por las dificultades, pero fundamentada e iluminada en Jesucristo.
Este domingo es la fiesta de la Santa Etchmiadzin. Oremos: Oh Señor, Jesucristo, nos tocaste con la más humilde de tus mensajeras, una joven que dijo “No” a los grandes y poderosos. A cambio, una nación y un pueblo descubrieron la Luz Verdadera. Viniste a la oscuridad, a las vidas de personas que tejieron un tapiz de amor, compasión, tolerancia, paciencia, sanación y resurrección. Que seamos un reflejo de esa Luz en todo lo que hacemos. Guíanos, oh Señor, por los caminos que promueven el amor, la compasión, la tolerancia y la sanación, para que seamos dignos de la bendición del Pacificador. En todo te damos gracias y te glorificamos, junto con el Padre y el Espíritu Santo. Amén.
Portada: Luna y Gregory Beylerian, 2023
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Armodoxy for Today: The Theophany – Christ is born and revealed!
We have arrived at the Theophany. Advent has prepared us to accept with clarity and purpose, the great news: Christ is Born and Revealed. More than a “Christmas Celebration” we now understand the great Revelation: “For God so love the world that he gave his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16) Most have learned or memorized this passage by heart. Following Advent, and this Advent Journey, I trust that these words resonate deep in your spiritual consciousness.
It is not by accident that we have not spoken about the virgin birth, the obedience of Joseph, the visit of the Magi or the shepherds’ vigil thus far. No worries, we will. But today we move to the Baptism of Jesus, the starting point of his ministry. The Baptism is recorded by all the evangelists – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – in their Gospels. In a very real sense, his baptism was the “birth” of him ministry. Reading the account of St. Matthew (chapter 3) we find, “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
At this one moment in history, God is revealed as the Holy Trinity. The Son of God stands in the River Jorden, the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus in a dovelike manner and the voice of God the Father is heard. The Revelation of all three Persons of the Holy Trinity gives definition to the Feast of “Theophany.” Asdvadzahaydnoutiun
In the Armenian Church the Feast of Theophany encompasses all of the events in the life of our Lord Jesus from his Birth to his Baptism. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, water is blessed to symbolize the Baptism of Jesus. Into the water is poured Holy Miuron, that is chrism or “Holy Oil” which comes from the time of Christ and is preserved and renewed in the Armenian Church every seven years.
Today is a new beginning. It is a new day of celebration. In modern terms, you can think of it as a hard reset, it is like hitting the reset button on your device and coming back to the original form. In this case, were back – reset – life as it was meant to be. Today, the Light shines bright, for the Author of Light is shining in our hearts.
Now that you have arrived at Theophany after this intense period of Advent, I invite you to follow along the daily podcasts, “Armodoxy for Today” where we will explore the intricacies of the Armenian Church and her faith. The OG – original Gospel message as presented by the Armenian Church. If you have missed any of the Advent series, you’ll find the lessons archived on Epostle.net. Moving forward, we’ll learn where the Christmas narratives of shepherds, wisemen and stars fit into our Faith? What is the mystical and magical quality of Holy Miuron? What is the strength of the Holy Divine Liturgy that is repeated every week? Because Armodoxy for Today connects the dots between the ancient and the current, the sacred and the secular, our relationships today with the beauty of God’s Kingdom and His Love and Kindness for each of us.
On this special day, our prayer is the prayer of the Angels, let there be peace on earth and good will toward all. I leave you today with a special hymn, Aysor Hayragan, Today the Voice of the Father, is heard at the River Jordon and in our lives today. It is meditative and I invite you to be swept away by the melody and this celebratory rendition by the Vem Radio Choir. (Visit the Vem website for broadcasts and information.)
Christ is Born and Revealed! Blessed is the Revelation of Christ.
Traducir es el primer paso para comprender. El hecho de que exista tanta incomprensión en nuestro mundo actual apunta a una incapacidad (o falta de voluntad) para traducir. La Iglesia Armenia celebra a los “Santos Traductores” (Srbots Tarkmanchats) este próximo fin de semana. Los hombres de este grupo no fueron contemporáneos entre sí; es decir, vivieron en diferentes períodos de tiempo, separados por un lapso de unos 700 años, y sin embargo se les conoce como un grupo: Los Santos Traductores. Ayer observamos al grupo y descubrimos que el hilo conductor entre ellos era su capacidad de comunicarse al simplificar lo que era complicado y complejo.
Jesús fue el traductor definitivo. Él vino a un mundo que estaba envuelto en leyes y reglamentos que mantenían a las personas alejadas de la esencia de la Fe, es decir, de Dios. Él lo simplificó. Con parábolas sobre el trigo, las semillas, la tierra y los talentos, simplificó las ideas más complejas sobre el propósito y el centrarse en Dios. Simplificó las leyes complicadas. Hay 617 leyes en el Antiguo Testamento. Moisés las redujo a 10 mandamientos. Jesús lo simplificó aún más, hasta una sola palabra: Amor. “Amarás al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, con toda tu alma y con toda tu mente”, respondió cuando le preguntaron cuál es el mandamiento más grande. “Y el segundo es semejante: Amarás a tu prójimo como a ti mismo. De estos dos mandamientos dependen toda la Ley y los Profetas”. (Mateo 22:37-38)
Considera lo simple que es esto. Si amas a Dios y amas a tu prójimo, no puedes asesinar, no puedes mentir, no puedes robar; estás lleno de honor hacia los demás. En consecuencia, se deduce entonces que la simplificación de la ley y los profetas se encontró en la persona de Jesucristo. Él es el cumplimiento de la ley y los profetas. Él lo dijo claramente: “Yo soy el camino, la verdad y la vida”. (Juan 14:6)
The Holy Translators directed people to Christ. It was St. Nersess Shnorhali, the 12th century member of this group, who equated Christ with Love. “The name of Love is Jesus” he wrote in the Aravod Luso hymn. In pointing to Christ, the Holy Translators were pointing to love as the golden key of understanding. That is, through love, the most complex and complicated realities are translated and simplified.
Los traductores son personas en la historia, pero hoy tenemos traductores entre nosotros. Piensa en una madre que se interpone entre su esposo, sus hijos, a veces sus padres o familiares lejanos, y de alguna manera traduce las ideas y tonos divergentes para lograr la armonía. Piensa en el maestro que dedica tiempo extra a un estudiante para asegurarle que existen opciones después de un examen reprobado. O piensa en el sacerdote que brinda consuelo a una familia que no comprende cómo sobrevivirán a la trágica pérdida de un ser querido. Todas estas son personas que han aceptado la invitación a traducir, es decir, a comprender a los demás. Y la invitación ahora se nos hace a nosotros: a ti y a mí. Acepta la invitación. Traduce la complejidad de la amargura, el odio, el separatismo y todo lo demás que nos impide comprendernos unos a otros; tradúcelos a la simplicidad del mensaje de Cristo: el amor.
Oremos: “Señor Cristo, nuestro Dios, por la intercesión de tus Santos Traductores, San Mesrob, San Yeghishe, San Movses el poeta, San David el filósofo invencible, San Gregorio de Narek y San Nersés de Kla, te pido que abras mi corazón al entendimiento para que pueda estar en armonía con mi entorno y con aquellos con quienes entro en contacto. Que pueda encontrar alegría en la simplicidad de tu mandamiento del Amor y mantenerlo siempre presente mientras transito por esta vida. En todas las cosas te glorifico con el Padre y el Espíritu Santo. Amén.
Worship is often looked at as an extra bit of religiosity in the Christian experience. Implied in worship and the language of worship is often feelings of purpose, that is to please God. Much of the Old Testament contributes to this feeling that has traces of the pagan rituals to please the gods, and avoid their wrath.
Worship is your acceptance of Christ’s invitation, to participate in life. Worship in the Armenian Church, contrary to everything you may have heard or felt, is a celebration. It takes place in the presence of God and all the saints, and unites us with all others who participate in the worship throughout the world, as one Christian family. Here we lose the self and understand ourselves as part of the bigger collective, with responsibilities toward our families, communities and the world.
Armodoxy for Today, one minute for Summertime: Fulfilling the Law and Prophets
At the Transfiguration, Jesus is surrounded by two Old Testament characters, Moses and Elijah. They represent the Law and the Prophets respectively. God’s voice is heard saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” *
In the Armenian Church tradition, Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets, a pronouncement which is made every Sunday at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy in every Armenian Church. Indeed, the Kingdom of God is at hand. It is enacted.
God gave the Law, He gave the prophets, but He so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. (John 3:16)
Today’s one minute for Summertme.
*Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–13, Luke 9:28–36, 2 Peter 1:16–18
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Armodoxy for Today: 10x One Minutes on the Lord’s Prayer, Part 4 –Your Kingdom Come
Before Jesus arrived at the River Jordon to be baptized, John the Baptist was proclaiming, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (Matthew 3:2) In common parlance use the expression “To Kingdom come” after words such as blow, blast, or send as a threat, e.g., “I’ll blow you to Kingdom come.” And so, often God’s Kingdom is seen as a location, someplace in the future which also signals an end to all things.
But as Armodoxy attests, the original message and Kingdom was ushered in with Christ. We read from Scripture, “Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:20-21) It is not by chance that Jesus was standing in their midst when he said these words.
Our request in the Lord’s Prayer is that God’s Kingdom may be revealed to us. We are asking for His presence in our lives, today, in the here and now.
This is the fourth of 10, one minute for Summertime.
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