Not a dry eye – 20 years later

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Not a dry eye – 20 years later
Fr Vazken
Fr Vazken | 3 Comments |
I’ve heard that expression “Not a dry eye in the house” in reference to a performance or speech well delivered. But I thought it was a cliche and an over-exageration of terms. But it came to pass yesterday at the 20th Anniversary of the Armenian Earthquake.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy and just before Holy Communion, we stopped the service, precisely 20 years to the minute – 11:41AM when a devastating earthquake hit Northern Armenia and killed 25,000+ people.

The memories are vivid in my mind. And apparently, so too in the minds and hearts of all our parishioners. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when we began our service. With our soloist, Mariam Abrahamian’s powerful, yet soul stirring rendition of Naregatzi’s lament. Followed by two new songs composed and performed by Gor Mkhitarian. I don’t know – I know our church on the corner is magical, but I keep getting these reminders that shock me. Like you could feel the Presence and you could feel the swaying emotions as these songs were sung. And the final rendition of Hayr Mer (the Lord’s Prayer) to guitar music… where else could this magic have taken place?

I know there were dinner dances and ‘Christmas’ parties that were beckoning our people (and us) but for my part – I think we honored the past and truly gave a tribute to the present in this short memorial. Thanks to all of you who made this day a special one.

More to come…
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Anush Avejic
Anush Avejic December 08, 2008

It was a very emotional service… First hearing the power in Mariam Abrahamian’s voice…singing this beautiful haunting melody. Though we remembered our past, it was a testament that we are still alive and strong! Then Gor’s songs. I was moved to tears by the words of his beautifully written songs. So heartfelt, so sincere. I looked over from where I was sitting and there was one of our little medz mairig’s….keeping beat to the music with her being. Like you said in your introduction, the language of music transcends boundaries. We were all ages, all different kinds of “hyes”, and it didn’t matter. The music bound us to our people….and to our church.

I can’t wait til Gor’s concert. We just heard a preview of his new music yesterday….I’m anxiously waiting for the new CD.

Thank you for organizing this beautiful service in a way that only our church would. In humilty and in memorium of our loss, but in encouragement of our present and our future.
Suzie
Suzie December 09, 2008
I second the reference to ‘not a dry eye in the house’. Sunday’s special remembrance service was very moving and I found myself wiping away tears. Anush, I agree – Gor’s words and singing was truly heartfelt and sincere – hence bringing us to tears. They were both tears of sorrow for our losses in the past as well as tears of joy from being lifted from that devastation and continuing to build a life filled with the power of hope and love.
Fr Vazken
Fr Vazken December 09, 2008
You know – in preparing for the Christmas SPIRIT concert I’ve been thinking a lot about change in our Church.Obviously, the Gor music is pretty radical change when you think of the Armenian Church, or any ‘traditional’ church for that matter. Anush – your comments about the mayrigs – made me think about all of the changes and differences that I’ve tried to bring into the Armenian Church during my years as a priest. I never thought of it until now – but its always been that older generation who got it. Maybe its the years, maybe its the futility that they see in preserving something that doesn’t speak to the people. But, among the younger ones there is this false sense of clinging to something that makes for a warm security blanket. (Yes, I saw Charlie Brown’s Christmas last night… poor Linus, he needs all the security he can get with that dew of his.) And they fight for that security which gets them through the years, but in the end, there’s nothing in it.This weekend we’re in for a treat – because Mariam Matossian arrives and will be singing at our church (and of course, at the concert). She’s going to be leading a special class for our Sunday School students this Sunday and it should be interesting because we’ll be uniting the past tradition with the more radical change.

Suzie, I believe you told me about one of our visitors this Sunday who mentioned that our church really had that unique balance of old and new, or traditional and contemporary. That’s what its all about, right? I mean, none of us are for abandoning our traditional worship and our Badarak, BUT on the other hand, we know that those are not the END we serve. I think that perspective – that traditions are the means, and Jesus is the end – has been our working platform. And it shows in every project we do.

On top of it all – did you catch this week’s Gospel passage? It was the story of the Great Banquet. As I was sitting through Gor’s playing and Mariam’s singing and subsequently the hokehankist – I had the great banquet in mind. This is not Burger King – you can’t “have it your way!” We are a church that is led by the Holy Spirit and the Pastor – the Parish Priest – is ORDAINED by the mark of the Holy Spirit. When he points the church in a particular direction, its because of his prayer life, his knowledge of the communities and the needs of the parishioners. The Holy Spirit guides the pastor to leadership. And as the Pastor, this direction that we have steered our ship on – I will tell you in no uncertain terms – is the path and direction for the Armenian Church today. Because its the same path we’ve been on through the centuries. This is the orthodox path.

Critics point to orthodoxy as something ancient and connected to the fathers of the church. They forget that those fathers were humans guided by the same Spirit! The Orthodox Church is alive today, not just in some history book.

The banquet passage is too close to my heart to let pass by. I’m going to use it as the theme for tomorrow’s podcast and will return to it next Sunday at church (since this past week, we had a musical sermon). I keep thinking about Nersess Shnorhali or Krikor Naregatzi. We love their works today – I wonder how they were received in their time? They were people like you and I, certainly with a gift for touching the soul with their words and tunes – a gift which Gor has. And their message was the same from the time of Christ.

Looking forward to a great couple of weeks of Christmas cheer.

Shaking Christmas Vampires

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Next Step #25 – December 3, 2008

You’ll find this episode filled with “Happy Holiday” cheer, and here’s a hint: it’s not because Fr. Vazken wants to be politically correct! Christmas is coming and with the season of Advent, you’re invited to look within and at how the Christ child is being born around you and then within.

Also, in this episode we look at Vampires and the undead. As crowds line up to watch “Twilight” and emotions heat up, we compare it with the undead in the church, namely the saints, both those with a capital and a small ‘S’. The last segment of the podcast is dedicated to the 20th Anniversary of the earthquake in Armenia (December 7, 1988) and the formation of Armenian electronic multimedia through sain.org and the foundation for In His Shoes Ministries.

Featured song: “About Light” by Gor Mkhitarian

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Thanksgiving Meal: Icon of the Holy Eucharist

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Next Step #24 – November 26, 2008

Well he promised and now he delivered! Fr. Vazken presents herein the holistic religion: Armenian Orthodoxy. And the Thanksgiving meal serves as the icon for this holistic expression. This is one of Fr. Vazken’s fundamental teaching points and a must-listen for the neophyte as well as the veteran. This also sets the tone for the season of Advent – the 50 day period leading to Christmas. And Fr. Vazken extends another promise -follow the journey of Advent with us and Christmas will never have the same meaning. You’ll understand it not as event in First Century Bethlehem, but as the essential event leading to the ultimate expressions of love. In this episode of the Next Step, you’ll learn of the incredible similarities between grandma’s house (over the river and through the woods) and God’s everlasting table.

New music from Gor Mkhitarian titled, “Snow” from the upcoming Spirit album as well as a track from Mariam Matossian’s In the Light album titled “Oosdi Gookas”. The Christmas concert is less than a month away. Tickets available from ItsMySeat.com

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No Thanks to Cults: Religion Gone Wrong

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Next Step #23 – November 19, 2008

Thanksgiving, Cults, Religion gone bad and much more. As Mr. Potter gives the secrets to financial success in this market, Fr. Vazken instructs about thanksgiving. It is the cornerstone of the faith and the key to lasting love. In this remarkable podcast, you are taken on a journey that will conclude next week at Thanksgiving. Quality may preempt quantity, but it doesn’t escape the site of this commentary. A wide variety of topics are discussed, Pope Benedict XVI makes it on board the Cast and Prop 8 is not exempt. Cults and Koolaid® are remembered on this 30th anniversary of the Jonestown massacre. Why do cults make it? You’ll be surprised by the answer Fr. Vazken gives.

A new song by Gor Mkhitarian in preparation for the December 18 concert. It all comes together on this Next Step.

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Giving a Thanks Blessing

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Next Step #22 – November 12, 2008

Stuffed Turkey, dressing and… Mother Goose? Not quite, but there is so much more to the holiday than the culinary delights that have … how do you say? Given us that je ne sais quoi satisfaction of the the salivary glands. It’s certainly not the addition of pilaf to the Thanksgiving menu that makes Thanksgiving come alive in the Armenian Orthodox tradition. Just like other feasts on our church calendar that give us opportunities to live out the message of Christ, Thanksgiving allows us to acknowledge that there’s something greater than ourselves. Fr. Vazken take the next step toward defining the richness of the Thanksgiving experience by poking at the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18) and challenging listeners to give a thanks-blessing.

Featured songs: Mariam Matossian’s “Arev Arev” from In the Light album and Gor Mkitarian’s “Blessing” (Orhnutyun) from the not-yet-released Spirit album. On December 18, In His Shoes will proudly present Gor’s “Spirit” CD Release Concert at Zipper Hall with opening performance by Mariam Matossian. Tickets available online: ItsMySeat.com

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Small Steps Lead to Big Dreams

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Next Step #21 – November 5, 2008

Barack Obama is President! A dream comes true. Mines explode in Karabagh ending the dreams of others. Fr. Vazken returns from the Obama campaign trail in Las Vegas and talks about the enduring power of dreams. Jesus tell us, “I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24 Through this sacrifice it produces much, transforming into something greater. What are the sacrifices made by people in our past? Why did the good die young? “Abraham, Martin and John,” by Dion is featured in this podcast. Also, a special interview with Gala Danivola, Program Coordinator in Nagorno Karabagh for The HALO Trust, an organization dedicated to removing landmines and other unexploded ammunitions from former conflict zones, talks about their work.

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Beneath the Halloween Mask of Life

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Next Step #20 – October 29, 2008

Boo! This podcast in not designed to scare you, only to make you think. Here’s an opportunity to examine the masks we all wear in life. Fr. Vazken carefully removes the layers that guard and protect us and beneath are no monsters but a pure heart given by God. A unique exposé on the Obama/McCain campaigns in light of the faith vote. Armenian Orthodoxy extends to this discussion of Halloween, masks, and fear.

 

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The Poor, the Prisoners, and the Blind

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Next Step #19 – October 22, 2008

In the Gospel of Luke Jesus says,
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
This week Fr. Vazken explores finding peace in our lives and understanding Christ’s mission. Poverty does not equate having empty pockets, prisoners are not those in jail cells, the blind are not those without eyeballs in their sockets. This is a podcast that sets the cornerstone for all others because it describes the mission of the Christian church and the work of Christians in this world. Take a journey with Fr. Vazken as he reveals the special place this passage holds in his ministry.

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An End to Worries

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Next Step #18 – October 15, 2008

The financial crisis felt around the world is causing anxiety, tension and worries. Where and when will it end? What happens next? All the questions are ripe for the picking, until you connect to the source of our freedom from fear. As Jesus instructs through the Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 6, today’s message is directed to the lack of trust in the financial markets and – shall we say – God? This is a Next Step to spiritual comfort from the “Lilies of the Field” to the “Birds in the Air”, it is a call for complete surrender and trust in God. It’s a challenge that’s presented this time, through the unique view of Armenian Orthodoxy.

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Allowing Spiritual Blessings to Dispel Our Fears

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Next Step #17

Market meltdowns and financial difficulties put us in crisis mode and throw us into a state of fear. How do we get a handle on this fear? How do we cope with the anxiety caused by the current economic crisis? The challenge is to take the emphasis off of the physical, material world, and direct our sights on the spiritual happiness that can be obtained in our lives. Also in this episode is a new prayer celebrating the newly blessed miuron (holy chrism) just delivered to us. The holy miuron allows us to enlighten our senses to touch the Face of God. It’s an opportunity for us to renew our faith and mission. It allows us to connect to something that goes back 2000 years, that is the essence of God, Jesus Christ. We’re called to be a part of this Living Tradition.

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