Reflections on Peace, Technology, and the Human Soul

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A conversation at Monrovia Canyon Park with Father Vazken Movsesian and Gregory Beylerian, October 27th, 20025

n the serene embrace of Monrovia Canyon Park, under a canopy of rustling leaves and birdsong, Father Vazken Movsesian and Gregory Beylerian shared a simple cup of coffee. What unfolded on that crisp October morning in 2025 was more than casual chatter, it was a profound exploration of life’s deepest questions. Amid the quiet rustle of nature, their dialogue wove together threads of spirituality, innovation, and human connection, reminding us that true wisdom often blooms in unexpected places. As they reflected on their three-year journey with the Epostle project, a visionary blend of technology and ancient faith, they uncovered timeless truths about reclaiming peace in a fragmented world.

Rediscovering Nature’s Embrace

The conversation began with a heartfelt appreciation for the natural world, a sanctuary far removed from the digital hum of everyday life. Father Vazken marveled at how we’ve become tethered to screens, even in virtual realms like the Metaverse, yet nothing can replicate the restorative power of being outdoors. “There’s something about just being out here,” he said, noting the subtle symphony of birds chirping and sunlight filtering through branches, a sensory richness that AI might mimic but never fully capture. 

Gregory introduced the concept of “grounding,” the practice of connecting barefoot to the Earth to restore energetic balance, disrupted by modern rubber soles and synthetic materials. He shared how, before the mid-20th century, humans lived in harmony with the ground’s natural frequencies. Today, amid microplastics infiltrating our bodies and unseen electromagnetic waves, this return to nature feels like therapy. Yet, they pondered a poignant question: Can the planet sustain billions if we all sought such purity? It’s a delicate dance, nature nourishes the soul, but technology enables our survival. Their exchange inspires us to seek small acts of reconnection, like ditching shoes for grass or choosing organic fabrics, as gateways to inner calm.

The Double-Edged Sword of Technology

As innovators at heart, Father Vazken and Gregory celebrated technology’s potential while cautioning against its pitfalls. Gregory recalled the fear surrounding early digital cameras, which revolutionized photography within years, much like atomic energy can power cities or destroy them. “It’s not the burden of the technology,” he emphasized, “it’s the burden of us to become responsible with the tools we’re developing.” Their Epostle project embodies this ethos: using AI, apps, and global connectivity to broadcast “OG” (original gospel) messages of love and unity. In a world where billions carry smartphones, even those without bank accounts, Epostle (electronic apostle) bridges divides, turning pockets into portals for spiritual reunification. Yet, they lamented the disconnection bred by unchecked innovation: synthetic materials polluting our bodies, news cycles fueling anxiety, and leaders wielding power irresponsibly. The key? Infusing technology with heart-centered responsibility. It’s a call to action: Harness tools not for division, but for healing, reminding us that true progress blooms when humanity leads the way.

Overcoming Fear: The Path to Inner Peace

At the core of their discussion lay a powerful antidote to modern malaise: transcending fear through trust and love. Gregory shared his artist’s journey, where creativity flows only in a state of relaxation, uncrimped by tension. Drawing from Shaolin training and ancient Armenian symbols like “Eh” (presence with an open heart), he described fear as “false evidence appearing real”, a mental construct that blocks divine guidance. Father Vazken recounted a serendipitous story: Amid health worries, a photo from Rome bore an Armenian inscription translating to “not even a thorn will hurt you.” It arrived precisely when needed, reinforcing faith’s role in surrendering worry. “God talks to us; we just don’t listen,” he reflected. Peace, they agreed, isn’t fought for but cultivated by relinquishing judgment and embracing the present. In a world gripped by political instability and global conflicts, this message shines as a beacon: Fear divides, but love unifies. By practicing non-judgment and openness, we invite grace into chaos, transforming personal and collective turmoil.

The Epostle Vision: Reuniting Humanity

Three years into their Epostle initiative, Father Vazken and Gregory revealed its essence: a digital network fostering reunification, with nature, community, and the divine. To be in practice, pioneers in using tech for spiritual outreach, they envision Epostle as a bridge, not a barrier. “Peace is a consequence of reunification,” Gregory noted, whether in Christian terms as oneness with God or broadly as human connection.

Their unorthodox paths, Father Vazken’s blend of theology and social ethics, Gregory’s creative explorations, converge here. Influenced by Beatles lyrics, jazz spirituality, and ancient masters, they challenge rigid dogmas. Epostle isn’t about exclusion; it’s an invitation to all, transcending borders via affordable tech. Imagine a world where messages of love reach every pocket, dissolving hatred like morning mist. It’s an inspiring blueprint: Technology, guided by compassion, can heal divisions and amplify what’s true and beautiful.

Echoes of Faith and Unity

Woven throughout were personal anecdotes that humanized their insights. From cramming friends into vintage VWs to channeling inspiration during sermons, they illustrated how life’s “unorthodox” moments shape orthodoxy. Father Vazken’s quest for a unified field theory evolved into recognizing love as the ultimate force, binding gravity, quantum mechanics, and human hearts.

They critiqued superficial judgments, urging appreciation for diverse paths. “All religions are reflections of God,” Father Vazken said, emphasizing respect over rivalry. In conflicts like Gaza or Ukraine, they see echoes of unhealed trauma, advocating love as the remedy. Gregory’s frequency chart, topped by unconditional love, bottomed by fear, underscores this: Align with love to rise above discord.

A Call to Awaken

As their coffee cooled and the sun began to set, Father Vazken and Gregory left us with a profound invitation: Step into nature, embrace technology with heart, and choose love over fear. In a world of synthetic distractions and manufactured divisions, peace awaits those who trust the flow within. Their conversation isn’t just words, it’s a spark for our own journeys. What if we, too, grounded ourselves, surrendered judgments, and unified our fragmented lives through Epostle and beyond? The path to harmony begins now, one inspired step at a time.

 

Vanadzor: Thank You for Hope!

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“Thank you for giving me hope…” It’s the expression that is being heard from the participants in the “Gar” Sewing program, part of the Vibrance for Vanadzor outreach of Epostle. Watch this short expression of appreciation, prepared as a year-end thank you to all those who made this happen.

“Thank you for Giving Me Hope!”

 

Immanuel, Birthing Pains

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Armodoxy for Today: Advent – Immanuel, Birthing Pains

Birthing pains are a signal that new life is close at hand. We have been through this Advent season preparing ourselves for the arrival of Christmas and the message of the Christ Child. These last days of the Advent Season are the birthing pains in our spiritual journey. Christmas lies ahead. Jesus Christ, is about to enter into our lives, how do we greet this awesome event? Armodoxy demands that we interact with the Nativity message beyond a nod and a tip of the hat. We are called to celebrate Christmas in a manner that points to the reason of the season.

In Holy Scripture we find three narratives of the Nativity, in the Gospel of Matthew, Luke and John. Only St. Mark, the oldest of all the Gospels omits the Nativity narrative. It is the Evangelist St. Matthew who clearly expresses with the words, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows,” and with that preface he gives the narrative, “After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”

The birthing pains in our Advent Journey have now begun. We are at the point of no-return. We hear the message of the Gospel. He who is being born is the Savior. Immanuel, God with us, Creator, He who is without beginning and without end, in His Love for us is coming to be in our midst.

For Joseph, he had to deal with the social norms of the day which might have embarrassed him to take the Mary as his wife. For us, we deal with the social norms of today, which might betray us to the same kind of fear and embarrassment to proclaim an unwavering faith and commitment to the Christ Child that is coming. The message given to Joseph is now our message: Do not be afraid!

The first step to make your dream come true is to wake up, and Joseph did exactly that. He moved to action and named his dream-come-true, Jesus. Like Joseph, today we wake from our sleep and move to action. We proclaim the Child as Jesus and understand that our salvation is tied in with to this moment of singularity, when the virgin conceives, and a Son is born.

It is the birth of Jesus Christ, and we are here to honor him with the greatest gift that we can offer him, our love and commitment to his teachings.

Today we pray an intercessory prayer to St. Mary, the Holy Mother of God. O Asdvadzazin, today you bring to our world our Savior. Along with Joseph, you put fear aside and proclaimed the presence of God in our midst with the birth of Jesus Christ. Pray for us, at this moment that we may stand in awe of God’s infinite Love for us, that we may cast aside doubts and fears, and grow in faith for the blessings we are about to receive. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Christmas, 12 days begin

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Armodoxy for Today: Advent – Merry Christmas!

On this day of our Advent Journey we encounter Christmas. December 25 is widely accepted as the day of Christmas. For us, we will continue in the period of Advent considering our target is January 6, the Theophany. Tragically, no one can say with certainty what is the feast of Christmas today. For some it is the Birthday of Jesus, for others it is a purely secular holiday with holly leaves and beautiful ornaments. Between the religious and the secular celebration there are many different degrees and categories of the festival. Some agree that it is Jesus’ Birthday but it’s not necessarily tied with any religious significance; Jesus was a good man, nothing more. Others define themselves as Christian because on this day they decorate a tree and attend a Christmas service. Indeed, there are many different degrees and categories of the festival. And every one of those expressions can argue on legitimate grounds that they are celebrating Christmas.

We are content to call today, Christmas. In contrast, the name we use to express the holiday is Asdvadzahaydnutiun  which literally means God’s Revelation, or Theophany, explains the position of the Church. It is for the Theophany that we are preparing ourselves on this Advent Journey. The Creator of the Universe and the Author of Life is revealed in our midst! And while we officially recognize the original date – January 6 – as the day to celebrate the Theophany, as Christians we must be ready, willing and able to celebrate the Revelation of God every day, January 6, 7 and 8. February 11, 12 and 13, April 14, 15 and 16 and every day and every opportunity we have to proclaim our joy and thankfulness for the life we enjoy through Jesus Christ.

It is for this reason we are on this Advent Journey, so that when we arrive at January 6, we understand the Essential Teachings of Jesus, and apply them to our life every day we breathe and live.

Merry Christmas, today and tomorrow. Celebrate the Birth, and enter now into the 12 days of Christmas to January 6. Far from pipers pipping, lords a leaping, maidens milking and a partridge in a pear tree, these next 12 days will conclude for you, as promised, on January 6, when you say “Christ is Born and Revealed” the words will have meaning for your life and the world you touch with your love.

A Christmas wish for you and our world…

May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child
be yours this Christmas.
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Two to (not too) Many

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Armodoxy for Today: Advent – Two to (not too) Many

As we move closer to Christmas on our Advent Journey, it becomes apparent that we will be meeting for Christmas on December 25th and then again on January 6th. Yesterday we spoke about the Winter Solstice, the birth of the sun and the Birth of the Son. Sometimes people, in their zeal to strike a conversation about Armenian Orthodoxy, will make a statement to the effect that Armenians are fortunate, they have two Christmas’ to celebrate. The statement is somewhat true, for in reality the Armodox understanding is even greater than two celebrations.

December 25th in the West and January 6th in Armenia are only dates of convenience, that is, dates on which the Birth of Christ may be marked and celebrated with official festivity, whether a worship service, a concert, or a party. Calendars are convenient means by which we measure time. There are groups that organize services by other calendars, for instance the Julian calendar, in which case their December 25th is on our January 7. Even within the Armenian Church there are differences of calendars. In Jerusalem the feast of Theophany – the Revelation of God – which we celebrate on January 6 is celebrated on the 19th of January.

Armodoxy, cuts through the conversion tables and date calculations and presents a very simplified – even more meaningful – proclamation of the date of Christmas. For a Christian, Christ is born every day. Imagine a world in which every day is celebrated as Christmas? The fundamental Faith that was expounded by Jesus Christ was exactly this! You don’t preach one thing, and live another way. You don’t turn on God today and forget about Him tomorrow. Christ is born and in our midst every day. The Christian lives with the celebration of God and man reconciled. The Christian every day strives for the message heralded by the angels on the night of Jesus’ birth, “Peace on Earth and goodwill toward one another.” (Luke 2:14) Looked at it another way, is there a day in our lives when we would not proclaim the Christmas greeting that Christ is born and revealed?

We learn today that Christmas is on December 25 and on January 6, but it also must be on February 11, August 31, September 7, in a word, every day. Armodoxy converts the two days of Christmas one final time to many days, to every day. It is with this understanding that we now proceed into the final days of the Advent season and our journey through it.

Let us pray, Lord God, help us to live as Christians every day of our lives. Celebrations of your birth are important markers on our calendars and reminders of a salvific event. Allow me to live my life so that I am marking every day as a day of celebration of the love you have for me and humanity. Amen.

Solstice: Light of Light

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A few years back, I found myself in a village in Rwanda working with genocide survivors. We conducted some informal interviews, became familiar with their daily activities and then, as the sun went down, people wound down, and pretty soon, 7:00PM, in the dark of the night, people were in their homes preparing for their evening rest. There was no sound throughout the village. I thought it odd that people would be preparing to sleep at this early hour. And then it occurred to me, that without electricity, without the artificial lighting that the electricity provides, for all intents and purposes the day was over with the sun set.

Today we celebrate the Winter Solstice. It is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. From the Summer Solstice to this day, the days have gotten shorter and shorter, and now, moving forward, there will be more hours of daylight per day to live and enjoy. In a world without electricity, you might imagine how welcomed the longer days ahead would be, so welcomed, that this day would be celebrated as the “birth of the sun.” Indeed, the sun stays out longer giving more possibilities for work, play, socializing, that is, possibilities for life!

To facilitate the spread of Christianity, the date of the Birth of Christ was moved to December 25 in the Roman Empire during the fourth century. Celebrating the birth of the Sun was replaced with the Christmas festivities, in honor of the birth of the Son! Meanwhile in Armenia, during the fourth century, the Winter Solstice was not celebrated to the extent it was in the Roman Empire. The date of Christmas was not changed and January 6 remains as the celebration date for Theophany. There are more factors for the different Christmas dates, but for today, suffice it to say, that Armenia was not touched by the date change. Until today, the Armenian Church celebrates the Nativity and Baptism of Christ on the same date, January 6.

The Solstice points to the cosmic time clock that has seasons and times changing over the globe. It’s a reminder that some of the great treasures of our Faith are found in the simplest phenomena of nature. Whether the birth of the sun or the birth of the son, there is a common thread that runs through both, namely, light. They are both gifts of light to the world.

How we process this revelation in the Christmas message, is how Armodoxy fits into our cosmology.

Advent, the Solstice & Homelessness

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Armodoxy for Today: Advent, the Solstice and Homelessness

We’ve arrived at the Winter Solstice: The shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Winter Solstice is a day I personally celebrate every year, for a variety of reasons, chief among them is the festive nature of the day. It signals the beginning of Winter and lengthening of days and the beginning of the Christmas Celebrations. I am also intrigued by the movements of our planet around the Sun, the precision under which these astronomical bodies dance in the sky.

This year, the celebration was overshadowed by an invitation I received to offer the opening prayer at the Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service. If this is the shortest day of the year, it follows that this is also the longest night of the year, and so appropriately, this evening is an opportunity to focus on the severe problem of homelessness. This past year over 2,000 unhoused individuals died on the streets. Throughout the country memorials are being held to commemorate the lives of those who otherwise would not be remembered anywhere else.

We assembled in a sanctuary space of the local cemetery in Glendale, California. I was with friends from Ascencia where we have had the privilege of feeding their homeless clients for the last two decades. Ascencia’s motto is simple: Lifting people out of homelessness. They had organized this gathering, as local component of the larger National commemoration.  We were honored to be invited.

We provide meals at Ascencia in the Armenian tradition of matakh – as an offering of thanksgiving for blessings. We do so because we feel the homeless do not need sympathy, they need empathy, that is we need to be empathetic in our response to their call. These people who we fed were our neighbors. They were our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers and children. As an Armenian, my grandparents were homeless – exiled from Armenia during the Genocide. So standing in their shoes is not merely a metaphor but an understanding that these are our family and in turn, we offer them a glimpse at their children, to know there is hope beyond the trappings of the day.

As so, at the service we remembered those who passed by name, Carla Baird, Michael Blazen, Patricia Doe, Adam Holling, Daniel Lima, Vartan Marootian, Arturo Villegas Palomo, Hilario Rodriguez, Nicole Rodriguez, Jose Vera Sarmiento, Walter Smith and Phillip Steele, all whose lives ended on the streets of Glendale. I mention their names, because it’s too easy to clump them together as a group. They had names, personalities, parents and family.

At the memorial we were joined by a few government officials. Not everyone wants to attend an event where votes may not be gathered, but those who attended joined the chorus in a pledge against homelessness, including Senator Sasha Perez, who reflected in an emotional expression remembering family members who had succumbed to homelessness.

On this night we pray, Heavenly Father, at this holy season as we remember the birth of Your Son, who was betrayed to homelessness on the night of the Nativity, open our ears to listen carefully to the call of the angels who proclaimed the reason and purpose of our faith: Peace on Earth and Good will toward one another. May we never walk away from that calling. Let us become those instruments of peace and goodwill by extending ourselves to one another, in service, sacrifice and sharing of our resources and talents. Amen.

Epostle Test Flight in the Metaverse

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Creative Director for Epostle.net, Gregory Beylerian boarded the Boeing 737-800, donning a Meta Quest 3 VR headset, on a coast-to-coast cross-country exploration of possibilities and opportunities to expand Epostle’s horizons in the Metaverse. Epostle.net is recognized as a leader and pioneer in setting up environments where the virtual meets reality, to promote the OG Christian experience. Watch for details coming soon from Beylerian and the Epostle team.

Photo: Gregory Beylerian testing the friendly skies…

Children to Brighten our Advent

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Armodoxy for Today: Children to brighten up our Advent

The holiday season is a joyous season and a stressful one. For families who have suffered loss, the stress level is compounded with feelings of longing, sadness and depression.

In 1997, then President Clinton, established a national memorial day for children, to be commemorated annually two weeks before Christmas. At the time, I was serving as Parish Priest of the Armenian Church in Pasadena. A year earlier, a young girl in the church family and a student at the church school named Cathia Hamparian had died in a car accident. She was 13 years old. Her loss had devastated family and friends and had shaken up the community.

With Cathia’s family, we organized the first Children’s Memorial that year dedicated it in memory of her sweet soul. And we have continued with the tradition of remembering children, as an annual event during Advent. Sadly, through the years, the list of names has increased, with children of all ages, who have passed before their time.

It is a very special evening, because it offers an outlet to parents who try to make sense of the senseless. These children are the most innocent of God’s creation. They didn’t have a chance to live a full life. But on this one night they find a group of people who deal with the same questions and queries, they have. Together they support one another to stand once again.

The great power of the Church is in its ability to create community – a safe place for people to share without fear or worries. Jesus sets the ground rules for the church: judge not, lest you be judged, love and embrace the brokenhearted, shower one another with unbridled love and care. It’s actually the formula for a successful church. And why not? The Church is the Body of Christ, and that formula of no judgement, embracing the brokenhearted and loving others, describes Jesus Christ. He’s perfect and his Holy Church is set up to be perfect. It is in that environment that God, that is Love, is present and active.

The Children’s Memorial is part of our Advent journey, pointing to the importance and necessity of the Church in the life of the Christian. Even more, it points to the Resurrection because children continue to live in the hearts of their loved ones, and within our community their presence is never far away.

We pray this simple prayer today, from the Children’s Memorial, No heart breaks alone, for I know that You, my God, are always nearby. And when I whisper a prayer, hear me. When sorrow is overwhelming comfort me tenderly. I know You are always there to hear, for not a single tear will fall that You my God don’t see. I turn to You always. Amen.

Cover photo: At the end of the 2025 Cathia Hamparian Memorial Service, participants placed candles around an angel figurine. 

Peace without more evil

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Armodoxy for Today: Peace without more evil

In our encounter with Jesus’ commandments, one in particular stands out from the rest, the commandment to not resist evil. We are to understand that opposition to evil cannot come by adding evil to the equation. Evil + evil will never equal an absence of evil. We can’t fight fire with fire when it’s only reasonable (and preferrable) to fight it with water.

“Whoever slaps you on your right cheek,” Jesus instructs, “Turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” (Matthew 5:39-41)

Absence of evil is love and so “love your enemies” is a natural next step, and a necessary step on the road to peace.

Within the Armenian Church, the phrase “Peace unto all” is repeated often in its seven hours of worship, and most notably during its Divine Liturgy. Imagine that, a people that have not known peace, and at the same time have possessed no military power or elaborate military strategy, and yet they proclaim and offer peace.

We pause today with an invitation and an Advent challenge, in preparation for Christmas, can you imagine an alternative to evil to resolve evil? Jesus’ call to “Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect,” (Matthew 5:48) implies that there are means that require us to use our God given talents to overcome the tragedies we identify as evil.

The Advent Journey is about preparing ourselves for the great Theophany, the Revelation of God. That preparation is through the struggle to understand – “imagine,” if you will – our existence as children of God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

We pray a prayer by Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind; in whom to dwell is to find peace and security; toward whom to turn is to find life and life eternal, we humbly beseech Thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldst be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, Thy saving health unto all nations. We also pray for Thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by Thy Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to Thy Fatherly goodness all those who are in any way afflicted or distressed in mind or body. Give them patience under the suffering and power of endurance. This we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.