Palm Sunday – “Key” Message 2012

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 1 April 2012
 
I congratulate all of our faithful people who completed the Lenten period successfully. Through your vigilance, you have opened your hearts and spirits to Christ’s unfailing love. Today, Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. You are a participant in that victory through Lent and today Jesus enters your hearts and lives in a very special manner. Congratulations! 
 
Today begins one of the most sacred periods in Christianity. It marks the journey of our Lord Jesus Christ, as he enters the Holy City of Jerusalem, is betrayed, face and be convicted false accusations and charges. He is condemned to death, crucified and buried. Of course, we know how the story ends, with the glorious Resurrection next Sunday. But in the meantime, the journey to the cross is a spiritual journey that we are invited to take through Holy Week. It is our way of “walking with Christ” through His trials, passion and crucifixion.
 
In the Armenian Church we not only commemorate these days with services, but we invite people to participate in the walk to the cross. Each of our services have opportunities for participation. During the 10 maid-ens young kids hold candles as described in Matthew 25; at “feet washing” we participate as described in John 13; and at the burial we walk below the grave. Please follow the Easter Week Schedule we’ve provided and participate in one of the most beautiful week’s services. ~ Fr. Vazken
The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…

Remember ‘Current Events’? Did the Church forget?

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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

“Advent” Sunday – Lent 2012

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 25 March 2012
The Lenten Season winds down this week.
On this last Sunday of Lent, our Church Fathers direct our attention to the Second Coming of Christ. This Sunday is known as “Advent Sunday” or “Coming.”
Most often the words “Second Coming” conjure in our minds images of the end-times. And because those thought remind us of our own mortality, we’re fearful to approach the subject in a sincere and mature manner. Hence we have discussions of Mayan calendars and 2012 brought to us courtesy of Hollywood and the pop culture.
Jesus, in no uncertain terms, tells that NO ONE knows the date and time of the end. Instead, he instructs us to “Set our minds on God’s Kingdom and all else will follow.” (Matt 5-7). That being the case, the Christian must always be ready to meet his/her Maker and to give an accounting of his/her life.
It is for this reason that our Church Father’s have instructed us through the scriptural readings of the day, to seek the path of humility, to love others and show compassion. Quite simply, it comes down to this: The best way to be prepared for the Second Coming of Christ is to follow the lessons of His FIRST Coming, namely to love and love without hesitation. -Fr. Vazken
Hear Fr. Vazken’s Advent message at Youtube.com/armodoxy
The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…

The Unrighteous Judge – “Key” Message

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 18 March 2012
The story of the Unrighteous Judge, is the last parable in a trilogy prescribed to us by the Armenian Church during the Lenten Season. It emphasizes the actions of an unrighteous individual and makes him out to be the hero of the story.
Today, in the sermon we will examine this character and the lesson he gives re-garding prayer. But there’s more to today’s story…
Unlike other parables, this one exposes its purpose up front. The evangelist St. Luke writes, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Perhaps it was because there was room for misunderstanding and confusion that St. Luke offers this preface. I mention this because many times we’re eager to find explanations for the events of life which seem like they fall upon us randomly. Seeking a Lukean explanation is also part of the Lenten journey.
This is a time for prayer and meditation, introspection and inspection of motives and feelings. The parable of the Judge is filled with opportunities to grow during these last weeks of Lent. I challenge you to look at the story and then look within. See yourself in the story and then push yourself outside of the confines it presents.
These past three Sundays—Prodigal, Steward and Judge—are all about looking within and finding the opportunity to grow spiritually, in the Eyes of God, but also for our own peace of mind. -Fr. Vazken
Hear Fr. Vazken’s “Judge” message at Youtube.com/armodoxy
The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…

The Crystal Within

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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

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Managerial Skills Wanted – “Key” Message on Steward

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 11 March 2012
Managerial Skills Wanted
Once a year, we get the short-end of the stick as we lose an hour for Daylight Sav-ings Time. Unless you live in Arizona, this morning you woke up with an hour missing from your life. We reconcile with the no-tion, because in the Fall we get it back, still it bothers us because TIME is so precious. In fact, it is in such short supply that it has value, sparking sayings such as “time is money.”
This Sunday, the Armenian Church focuses its attention on the second of character in a trilogy of parable-heroes offered to us by Christ. Last week we studied the Prodigal Sunday, this week we look at the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16).
The theme is stewardship today. The day begs us to reflect on our managerial skills. How do we use the gifts that God has given us? Life is the gift given to us by God. That life is measured by time. Each of us is blessed with unique talents by the Grace of God, talents that give us identity. The chal-lenge therefore is to manage our time so that our talents are used for the betterment of our families, communities and ulti-mately, the world.
This Sunday of Lent, take an inventory of your talents. Find means by which your talents can reflect the Love of God.
“Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so they will praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5)
-Fr. Vazken 
Hear Fr. Vazken’s “Steward” message at Youtube.com/armodoxy
The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…

Standing between Two Worlds

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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

The Three Bad Guys of Lent – “Key” Message on Prodigal

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 4 March 2012
These next three Sundays of Lent are made unusual by the Armenian Church because they highlight characters that are not ordinarily associated with the church or with Christian living. In fact, they are plain and simply, bad character.
Today is called the Sunday of the Prodigal Son (Lk15), next Sunday is the Dishonest Steward (Lk 16) and the Sunday after is the Unrighteous Judge (Lk 17). Imagine that! Christ uses these immoral and horrendous characters to teach us about his Loving Truth!
Perhaps the greatest message we find in these stories is about the trans-forming power of God. That is, if we allow him, God can take each of us, with our faults and frailties and transform us. Christ turned the Prodigal Son, the Steward and the Judge into the heroes of the stories. He is the same Christ who took the words of condemnation “take and eat ” (of the forbidden fruit) and turned them into the words of salvation, “take and eat, this is my body.”
Our Church Fathers designated this period of Lent for self-evaluation. With the messages we receive through our heightened prayer life, our scriptural readings and the Sundays of Lent, we have a golden opportunity to be transformed. Take advantage of this time. It’s an opportunity like no other for renewal and fulfillment in life. -Fr. Vazken 
Hear Fr. Vazken’s “Prodigal” message at Youtube.com/armodoxy
The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…

Transforming the Heresy Card beyond P-C-O

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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

Returning Home – Lent 2012

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 26 February 2012
Home! And this is my room – and you’re all here! And I’m not going to leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all! And — Oh, Auntie Em — there’s no place like home!
 
At the end of the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy recites these memorable words. She reminds us that there is a very special place in each of our lives where we feel safe. It’s a place where we are loved unconditionally. It’s a place full of warmth and acceptance. It can be called paradise, but even better, its called home.
Welcome to the first official Sunday of Lent. While last week we celebrated “Poon Paregentan” today is called “Expulsion” Sunday—reminding us of lost paradise.
The world and the life that God has created was paradise. It has so much potential, but because of our discontentment we are purged from paradise. We know God gives us paradise, but we choose paths that take us father and father away from home. In Genesis is referred to as the original sin of trying to be like God.
The Lenten period allows us to focus in on paradise lost, to count our blessing, to see what really matters in our lives. In a word, it’s a chance to see that our lives may not be perfect – that they are far from paradise- but that there’s no place like home. -Fr. Vakzen
The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…