Today is the day of Ascension. It’s the celebration of healing. I never understood it the way
I do today.
The celebration of Ascension is 40 days after Easter. Whereas Easter celebrates victory, this feast celebrates the upward movement and healing momentum after the resurrection.
It’s interesting that the Christian story does not end with Resurrection.
The Crucifixion is the ultimate story of betrayal, hurt, pain, suffering and loss. Following the Crucifixion, we find ourselves at the Empty Tomb – a place from which we can look at the Cross and call that day, “Good” Friday. In the context of Resurrection the Crucifixion is done. It’s over. The pain and suffering are finished, conquered and defeated. But the wounds are still there. And that’s why the Christian story does not end with Resurrection.
A week or two following the Resurrection, one of the Disciples of Christ, Thomas, asks to feel the wounds of Christ. The holes in his hands where the nails were driven in were still open, as was the gouge in his side. Resurrection was a victory over death, but the wounds were still open and had not healed.
At the Ascension, Jesus proclaims “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He ascends to Heaven in full authority. It is to the state of perfection that he ascends. The wounds have been healed!
This is the feast of Ascension – the celebration of healing. It is the celebration of leaving the wounds behind and finding the completeness of life.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Jesus-Ascending-Ascension-Resurrection.jpg16001257Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2014-05-29 07:06:002022-09-21 01:22:40Ascension: Full Authority and No Wounds
A candid look at women in the Church, and outside of it. Going beyond the usual arguments, Fr. Vazken suggests we drop the apologies and engage in a new conversation, one of educating around the theme of equality. The Church cannot be limited to experiences in our immediate circumstances, nor can it be limited by the history that excludes one group or type of people from the entire body. Beyond traditional Christian communions, in protestant communities today (2014) the Bible cannot even be taught by women! The Church, as the Body of Christ, needs to be inclusive as is Christ.
Song: Amen Hayr Soorp, Yerevan Women’s Choir of Armenia Women in the Armenian Church Should Women teach Men the Bible? Women’s Suffrage
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!
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Stopping attempted purpose-assassination, Fr. Vazken answers questions about the Holy Badarak and its celebration. Lower the standards or rise to a higher level – that’s his challenge. Why does organized religion opt for the OFF button? What religion can learn from Google business and how Armodoxy offers an ON answer. The movement of time: 1/9 > 1/19 as Varoujan graduates ASU. Moving closer to the launch of the next step.
Song: Shushan Petrosyan “Kez Hamar” Botanical Evolution Arizona State University – The Design School
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!
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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
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/image-2.jpeg640480Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2014-05-14 00:44:442022-08-12 00:39:39Walking Against Cancer
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 Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!
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 Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/unnamed.jpg7681024Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2014-05-01 17:37:002022-09-02 22:40:50Packaging & the Product
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 Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!
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 Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!
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Road to Healing – Lenten Journey 2014 Day 40: Play Now:
They woke me up to take my vitals. I had been through the routine for the last couple of days, but today
it was different. First the polite bow by the nurse, “How are you feeling, sir? Any pain?” Then they fumble around the IV tubes, cuff your arm. As your blood pressure is being taken, the nurse puts the plastic tip of the thermometer in your ear and one by one the readings are recorded. Temperature. Blood Pressure. Pulse. All systems are fine.
“I have some pain.”
“Just press the button, sir.”
You press the button and slowly you enter into a comfort zone. But today I was okay without the mix of narcotics into my drip. Even more, I knew that as some point I needed to wean myself off of the drugs. Let no one be fooled it’s tempting because it’s quick and effective. But today it’s over. I’m not pressing that button. I’m out of here.
I hear a voice, “Do you want to be healed?”
Yes! I do. No one else can make that decision but me. I want to be complete. I want to be whole.
Yes! I do… I am.
*
It was forty days ago that we took our first steps on this journey together, on the Road to Healing. We’ve encountered ideas, thoughts, faith, strength and courage along the way. We’ve explored love, God, strength from within and without as antidotes to our disease and despair. And while every journey traveled on the plane of this Earth has a beginning and an end, we understand that our journey has been one of ascent. We are traveling upward, with no boundaries to the heights we can achieve.
In the Gospel of John we read the story of Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus. They were close friends of Jesus who lived in the town of Bethany. The scripture says that Jesus loved them dearly. The young man Lazarus fell ill and died.
Jesus rounded up the disciples and began the trip to Bethany. While still on the road to Bethany, Martha ran out to greet him. She has complete faith in the power of Christ. “Lord,” she says, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.”
Jesus assures her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha knows that for sure. She says, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus replies, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
At this point, Jesus asks for a confirmation to his words, “Do you believe this?”
Martha replies, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”
A few moments later, near the tomb, Jesus has the same conversation with Lazarus’ other sister Mary. And she confirms her faith as well.
The miracle takes place. After four days in the tomb, Jesus pulls Lazarus out to full life and full recovery! Needless to say, the people are astonished and the details of this story are distributed throughout the land.
This story is often called the Resurrection of Lazarus. What I propose to you that this is more about Martha and Mary than about Lazarus. True, their brother received the miracle of life, but both Martha and Mary were transformed at that moment of healing. They confessed a faith in a future event, “… he will rise on the last day.” Jesus, with his presence and his words, transformed time itself. No longer is resurrection a thing of the past, but in the immediate present, the here and now, the eternal “I AM” the Resurrection and the Life!
On this 40th Day on the Road to Healing I offer the primer. It is the code which opens the rest of the treasures of faith in all of Armodoxy. It is found in the 29th verse of a hymn written by St. Nersess Shnorhali. He writes, “The Name of Love is Jesus.” Herein lies the truth we have been searching – Love is the resurrection and the life! Believe in Love and you conquer illness, disease, despair, heartbreak and even death. It is transforming and liberating. It is offered to you, not as a final destination on this Road to Healing, but on your path towards ascent to the heavenly dimensions of Faith, Hope and Love.
*
Hi this is Fr. Vazken. I trust and hope that this Lenten Season was a spiritually uplifting one for you on the Road to Healing. I invite you to get involved in further explorations of faith as we explore Christ and the Blessings in our Life. Join us on Epostle.net, the voice of Armodoxy where you’ll find a special series for the Holy Week in front of us. Also, I’ll be sharing some post-surgery insight with you. Stay tune.
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 Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!
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