Candid Conversation with Tigranna Zakarian
Internation Human Rights Activist, Refugee Response Coordinator
This is the soundtrack (AUDIO ONLY) of Next Step #805
Watch the Video at
Recorded September 2025
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net
Subscribe and listen on demand on your favorite pod-catcher!
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This is the soundtrack (AUDIO ONLY) of Next Step #804
Watch the Video at https://youtu.be/mxtcG8_7ABg?si=FW03repXAvSeVcNg
The Next Step with Fr. Vazken, SE, August 9, 2025
Activism in a world plagued by intolerance, war and even genocide. Here is a must-listen-to interview with Sophia Armen, a fresh voice, who shares her views on identity, activism and global challenges. Sophia Armen is a community organizer and scholar from Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Armen serves as Executive Director of Armenian-American Advancement Network and as Co-Chair of the CA Middle Eastern and North African-American Civil Rights Coalition. She holds a PhD in Ethnic Studies and has been active in a diverse array of community initiatives.
Recorded: 1 August 2025
From Dr. Armen’s website: Dr. Sophia Armen is a Middle Eastern-American feminist organizer, scholar, and writer. She holds a PhD in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, San Diego. Her research “A Peoples’ History of Middle Eastern-Americans, 1890-1930” focuses on the racialization of Middle Eastern peoples in the United States, from the perspectives of organizers and refugees through feminist theory and methodologies. She has been building in the feminist, SWANA, and survivor justice movements in the United States for over 15 years. She is a descendant of genocide survivors from Kharpert, Van, Hadjin and Istanbul. She served as the Co-Chair of The FF.
The Next Step with Fr. Vazken, SE, August 9, 2025
Activism in a world plagued by intolerance, war and even genocide. Here is a must-listen-to interview with Sophia Armen, a fresh voice, who shares her views on identity, activism and global challenges. Sophia Armen is a community organizer and scholar from Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Armen serves as Executive Director of Armenian-American Advancement Network and as Co-Chair of the CA Middle Eastern and North African-American Civil Rights Coalition. She holds a PhD in Ethnic Studies and has been active in a diverse array of community initiatives.
Recorded: 1 August 2025
Links:
https://drsarmen.com
Armenian-American Advancement Network
@armenianamericanadvnetwork
From Dr. Armen’s website: Dr. Sophia Armen is a Middle Eastern-American feminist organizer, scholar, and writer. She holds a PhD in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, San Diego. Her research “A Peoples’ History of Middle Eastern-Americans, 1890-1930” focuses on the racialization of Middle Eastern peoples in the United States, from the perspectives of organizers and refugees through feminist theory and methodologies. She has been building in the feminist, SWANA, and survivor justice movements in the United States for over 15 years. She is a descendant of genocide survivors from Kharpert, Van, Hadjin and Istanbul. She served as the Co-Chair of The FF.
Epostle: Connecting to Church and Culture
With over half a million Armenians living across the United States, the Armenian Church remains committed to serving all members of the community—no matter where they call home. While there are 40 parishes in the Western Diocese and 48 in the Eastern Diocese, these brick-and-mortar locations can’t reach every Armenian geographically.
This map illustrates the distribution of Armenian populations by county. Darker shades of green indicate higher concentrations, while pins represent existing parish locations. But what about those living far from a parish? How does the Church extend its mission and message?
Epostle is the answer. Through an internet connection, the richness of Armenian Church life and culture becomes accessible in real time—right from your computer, tablet, or wearable device. Epostle brings liturgy, learning, and community directly to you, wherever you are.
Importantly, Epostle is a supplement to, not a substitute for, local parish engagement. It expands the Church’s reach and supports its mission without replacing the depth of in-person community worship.
At Epostle, we believe that using technology creatively is a powerful way to fulfill the Great Commission—the divine call Jesus gave His disciples after His resurrection to share His message, make disciples, and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Armodoxy for Today: The Road to the Center of Light – a five-part mini-series of daily messages dedicated to this special week in the life of the Armenian Church. Five days, five inspirations, five sparks that connect to shine the Christ Light.
Day 5: Holy Etchmiadzin: The final day of the week-long celebration of Armenia’s Conversion is the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin. The hymn of Holy Etchmiadzin, includes the phrase, “Come, let us build the altar of Light.”
With the Conversion of Armenia, “The true Light which gives light to every man,” (John 1:9) lit up Armenia. Gregory and Tirtad, hand-in-hand, church-and-state, came together to spread the Gospel among the people. In a vision, Gregory saw Jesus Christ descend from heaven, pointing to four points, defining an area with a golden hammer. This is where the first Cathedral in all of Christendom was constructed. The word “Etchmiadzin” defines his vision, literally meaning the “Descent of the Only Begotten.
The week-long celebration, with the feasts of Saints Hripsimé, Gayané and Gregory, is capped with the proclamation that the Only Begotten Son of God, descended from heaven and became the Light which enlightened the Armenian soul. Throughout Armenia today, thousands of pilgrims converge on the monasteries of Hripsimé, Gayané and Khor-Virab, to commune with the essence of this story. But early on in Armenian Church history, the pattern of celebration was instilled because the Christ Light had transformed the people. It was only 100 years later that the Church in Armenia commission the translation of the Holy Scriptures. For this task, a monk named Mesrob Mashdots invented the Armenian alphabet. With that alphabet the entire Bible was translated in a manner that is considered the “Queen of Translations” by Biblical Scholars. And subsequently the Armenian nation enjoyed a golden age of literature. Culture and education was the hallmark of this period, thanks to the Church.
Only 150 years after the Conversion, Armenia was forced into a war because of their commitment to Jesus Christ. The Battle of Vartanants is considered the first battle for the freedom of worship of Christianity in history. As a result, Christianity spread like wildfire. It wasn’t the last time Armenians stood up for their faith. They have been persecuted to the point of even Genocide and continue to be, because they carried the label, “Christian.” Jesus invited us saying, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” That cross has been a heavy one for the Armenian people, but it has been its salvation. Abp. Hovnan Derderian has said, “Because of Holy Etchmiadzin, our presence as a nation and as a people is secure.”
Many try to dispose of the cross opting for the comforts of this world. Tragically, what they sacrifice is the fullness of life and the luster that comes from the Light.
His Holiness Karekin I, of blessed memory, once proclaimed “Etchmiadzin is Mission” and in that simple statement set a direction for us, every one of us, who comes in contact with the story. Like all of the history we communicate through Epostle, the story you heard in the mini-series, Etchmiadzin finds its true value when we connect to it with our life. The mission is ours, to proclaim the importance of Light amid the darkness. With wars, hatred, intolerance all around us, the Armenian story of Etchmiadzin gives the world a spark of hope, kindled by strength, fanned by difficulties, but grounded and lit in Jesus Christ.
This Sunday is the feast of Holy Etchmiadzin. Let us pray, O Lord, Jesus Christ, you touched us with the humblest of your messengers, a young girl who said, “No” to the great and powerful. In returned a nation and people discovered the True Light. You came into darkness, into the lives of people who weaved a tapestry of love, compassion, tolerance, patience, healing and resurrection. May we be a reflection of that Light, in all that we do. Guide us, O Lord, in the paths that promote love, compassion, tolerance and healing, so that we may be worthy of the blessing of the Peacemaker. In all things we thank and glorify you, along with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Cover: Luna & Gregory Beylerian, 2023
Armodoxy for Today: The Ararat Label
The term “virtual” has taken on some new meaning in the last few decades with the popularity of the internet. It is used to describe something that does not physically exist but is made by software to appears as if it does. That describes the way most Armenians understand Mount Ararat.
The mountain range is easily visible from the moment one arrives in Armenia at the Zvartnots Airport and shows itself especially nicely from the capital city of Yerevan. And if by chance the air is foggy or misty, and a cloud covering hides the mountain, Ararat is seen on logos of coffee shops, souvenirs and just about any type of clothing accessory one can imagine. Most homes have a picture of the twin-peaked mountain hanging somewhere in the house. And if you’re a visitor to Armenia, you receive a small ink graphic of Ararat stamped in your passport when you arrive. I mention this as an oddity because the Ararat Mountain is not in the borders of Armenia. Currently, that land is occupied by Turkey and exists within its borders on internation maps. But Mount Ararat is purely Armenian as is attested by the name itself.
Ararat is the theme of songs, and poems. Even during the Soviet years (1920-1991) when nationalism was played down or discouraged with the large scale punishment, Ararat was the theme of poem and prose. Armenia’s beloved poet, Yeghishé Charents wrote the words that are recited and sung; and they even stretch across a picturesque arch saying, “Travel the world and there is no white capped peak as beautiful as Ararat … it is the road to glory, unreachable, I love Mount Masis.” (another name for Ararat).
For Armenians, Mount Ararat is a national symbol. It’s our mountain and it always will be. This feeling is so strongly reinforced in the collective consciousness of the people that we – Armenians – often forget that the mountain’s claim-to-fame on the international scene is thanks to a reference in the Book of Genesis chapter 8, as the resting place of Noah’s Ark.
A few years back, I was invited to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in Nashville, Tennessee. It is considered a “mission parish” meaning that there is no permenent priest to pastor the small flock. A dear friend picked us up from the airport and on our way to the services we flew past an exit sign on the freeway boldly marked, “Ararat Cemetery next right.” A big smile came on my face. The sign, and the cemetery it pointed to, were indicators that there were Armenians in Tennessee. Any congregation that was running a cemetery must be ready to have graduated from mission parish status. Of course, I was operating on the notion that Ararat implied Armenian.
As we got closer to the cemetery, the sign read, “Ararat Baptist Cemetery.” It was, in fact, run by the local Baptist Church with absolutely no Armenian ties or overtones. The name pointed to the Biblical Mountain which is accepted by all of Christendom.
Much of what we believe, we are conditioned to believe. I’ve spent my entire life associating things labeled “Ararat” – from the local nursing home, to the bubbly water, from the restaurant to a type of slippers, to the cognac – with the Armenian nation. If we had not taken an extra step to take a closer look at the sign, I would have lived with the illusion of believing Tennessee had an Armenian cemetery. Issues of the faith are even more important than discovering what’s under a label. Whether a cemetery or an article of faith, take a moment to go beyond the label.
We pray from the Book of Hours, “Heavenly King, my soul is in Your care at all times and I trust in Your holy Cross. I have the multitude of saints as my intercessors before You. You are forbearing toward all, do not disregard those who rely on You, but protect them with peace by Your precious and Holy cross. Amen.
This second run of questions focuses on peace: Answers from AI. Interesting that when I wrote in Western Armenian (first question), ChatGPT responded in Western Armenian spelling, but Eastern Armenian sentencing. I changed to Eastern Armenian after the first question figuring that it is more likely that Eastern is more native to AI. Take a look.
հայերէն կը հասկնաս
ChatGPT
Հայերէն ե՞ք պատրաստ խոսել: Եթե իմանալու եք թե ինչպէս է կարող եք օգնել, ես շատ շնորհակալ կլինեմ և փորձի տալիս կարդալ ձեր հարցերը:
User
Մի բացատրություն տուր թե ինչ է պատահում հայերի և Թուրքերի հետ այսօր
ChatGPT
Այսօր հայերի և Թուրքերի մի քանի տարի երկրների միջեւ մեկ դեմ մի քանի բան է երկրում պատահում և համակարգչային հարցեր առաջարկվել են կայքում, ինչպէս օրինակ լուսանկարների կայքում կատարված հատուկ թեստը, որը պատահում է մարդկանց բնութագրությունները և նրանց դիմաց կատարված որոշ գործողությունները:
Ավելին, սակայն, այս օրինակներից հետո, մեծ մասնակից հայերի և Թուրքերի միջև կապերը պատրաստ են բացառել հիմնական խորհրդների ու ծրագրե
User
Ինչ է պետք որ խաղաղություն ապահովի Հայաստանում
ChatGPT
Հայաստանում խաղաղությունը կարելի է ապահովել մեկնաբանական և կոմունալ հարցերի միջոցով:
Առաջին հարցումը կարող է լինել դեպի ուժեղացում և սերվիսը մարմնակցությունը: Խաղաղության միջոցառումը կարող է լինել մեծատանիների, աշխատակիցների, սպորտական թիմերի, բիզնեսմենների և կանանց միջոցով կատարված արտահայտությունների մեջ:
Կոմունալ հարցերով խաղաղությունը կարող է լինել նվիրված ժողովրդավարության կամ հատուկ արտահայտության հետ
User
what would it take to have peace in Armenia today?
ChatGPT
Achieving peace in Armenia today would require addressing several underlying issues and conflicts that have contributed to the current political and social situation. Some possible steps that could be taken to achieve peace in Armenia include:
Resolving the conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh: The unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been a major source of tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan for decades. Achieving a peaceful resolution to this conflict would require meaningful negotiations and compromise from both sides, potentially with the involvement of international mediators.
Addressing corruption and political instability: Armenia has faced significant political turmoil and instability in recent years, with protests and government turnover leading to uncertainty and unrest. Addressing issues of corruption and improving governance could help to stabilize the country and reduce tensions.
Strengthening the economy: Armenia has faced economic challenges in recent years, including high unemployment rates and a lack of economic opportunities. Strengthening the economy through investment and job creation could help to reduce social and economic tensions.
Promoting reconciliation and unity: The political and social divisions within Armenia have contributed to a sense of conflict and tension. Promoting reconciliation and unity across different groups within the country could help to reduce these divisions and create a more peaceful and cohesive society.
Ultimately, achieving lasting peace in Armenia will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and the international community. It will require a commitment to dialogue, compromise, and a shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous future.
User
what would it take to bring peace in the Ukraine?
ChatGPT
Bringing peace to Ukraine would require addressing the ongoing conflict in the eastern regions of the country, which has been ongoing since 2014. Some possible steps that could be taken to achieve peace in Ukraine include:
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia: The conflict in eastern Ukraine has been fueled by Russian support for separatist rebels. Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, with the involvement of international mediators, could help to find a peaceful solution that addresses the concerns of all parties.
Implementation of the Minsk agreements: The Minsk agreements, which were signed in 2015, provide a framework for resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine. However, they have yet to be fully implemented. Commitment to the implementation of the Minsk agreements by all parties could help to reduce tensions and bring about a lasting peace.
Protection of human rights: The conflict in eastern Ukraine has had a devastating impact on the civilian population, including displacement, violence, and human rights abuses. Protecting the human rights of all individuals in Ukraine, regardless of their ethnicity or political affiliation, is essential to achieving a sustainable peace.
Economic development: Ukraine has faced significant economic challenges in recent years, including high unemployment rates and a lack of economic opportunities. Strengthening the economy through investment and job creation could help to reduce social and economic tensions and promote stability.
Reconciliation and dialogue: The conflict in Ukraine has created deep divisions within the country. Promoting reconciliation and dialogue between different groups could help to reduce these divisions and create a more peaceful and cohesive society
Ultimately, achieving lasting peace in Ukraine will require a commitment to dialogue, compromise, and a shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous future. It will require the participation and cooperation of all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and the international community.
User
what would it take for Americans to find peace in their own country?
ChatGPT
Bringing peace to the United States would require addressing a range of complex issues and underlying factors that have contributed to social and political unrest in recent years. Some possible steps that could be taken to achieve peace in the United States include:
Addressing systemic inequalities: The United States has a long history of systemic inequalities based on race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Addressing these inequalities through policy reforms, education, and awareness-raising initiatives could help to reduce tensions and promote social cohesion.
Strengthening democratic institutions: The United States has faced significant challenges to its democratic institutions in recent years, including concerns about electoral integrity and the role of money in politics. Strengthening democratic institutions through reforms and increased transparency could help to restore trust and confidence in the political system.
Promoting constructive dialogue: The polarization of political discourse in the United States has contributed to a sense of division and conflict. Promoting constructive dialogue across political and ideological divides could help to reduce tensions and build bridges between different groups.
Investing in education and civic engagement: Education and civic engagement can help to promote understanding, empathy, and active participation in the democratic process. Investing in education and civic engagement initiatives could help to build a more informed and engaged citizenry that is better equipped to address social and political challenges.
Addressing economic insecurity: Economic insecurity has been a major source of tension and division in the United States. Addressing economic insecurity through policies that promote job creation, wage growth, and access to healthcare and education could help to reduce social and economic tensions.
Ultimately, achieving lasting peace in the United States will require a commitment to dialogue, compromise, and a shared vision for a more just and equitable society. It will require the participation and cooperation of all stakeholders, including government, civil society, and individuals from all walks of life.
Regenerate response
Հայերեն խոսում ե՞ս
ChatGPT
Այո, ես խոսում եմ հայերեն: Մինչև որ հիմա աշխատում եմ OpenAI-ում և խոսում եմ տեքստային ձևով, ինչպես դասախոս մեքենա: Եթե ինչ-որ հարց ունենաք, ուշադրության համար ասեք, որ պարզ համակարգի մեջ եք նախորդը:
User
Ինչ է պետք որ խաղաղություն ապահովվի Հայաստանում
ChatGPT
Խաղաղությունը ստանալու համար կարևոր է տարածքի համարը, անհրաժեշտ բաների առկայության ու այլ պայմանների առկայությունը: Հայաստանում խաղաղությունը պարտադիր է դառնալ նախաձեռների և մարդկանց կյանքում
Խաղաղությունը կարող է լինել տեղափոխություններ, արագություններ, սպորտային մրցակցություններ, արտադրանքի և բիզնեսի համար միջավայրի համար խաղաղության մեջ գտնվող մարդկանց աջակցությունը և արդեն հայտնաբերված խաղերի բարդությ
User
Ինչ են ամենից կարևորը Հայաստանի համար այսօր
ChatGPT
Այսօր, Հայաստանի համար ամենից կարևոր բնությունները հետևյալներն են.
Անձնական ապահովումը – համակարգերի միջոցով ստուգվող պահպանման ու ապահովումի համար կարևոր է պահել անձնական ինֆորմացիան:
Կրթություն – կրթությունն ու գիտելիքները կարևոր են մարդկանց զարգացման, բարելավման և բարձրացման համար
Գործիքների զարգացում – գործիքների ապահովումը համակարգի զարգացման, համակարգի միջոցով աշխատանքային գործիքների փոփոխման և ավելա
Regenerate response
Այսօր, Հայաստանում կարևոր բաներից մեկը է կորոնական վիրավորումները, որոնք կատարվում են COVID-19 վիրուսի դեմ: Հայաստանում պահանջվում է հեռացնել վիրավորումների միջոցով կանխելու պատճառը, որոնցից մեկը հիվանդանոցների և բուժքային գործոնների անհնար բազմությունը կատարելու դեպքում:
Այսօր նորություն է, որ Հայաստանը գլխավոր անձնական արտահայտություններով նշանակել է ուսանողների ու դասարանների դիսպանսերը և աշակերտների որոշման երկ
Next Step with Fr. Vazken #725: The change is happening. Did you feel the latest paradigm shift? Begin with a shift of focus: Commemorating the Armenian Genocide, from remembrance to a day of life. Defining moments in history – all too many and all too often – the build up of anxiety. Editorial boards, content and the Gospel narrative. Globalization and the Church. Baptism: An expression of life and new life in the middle of death. The paradigm shift is in Armodoxy – Apostolic, not ethnic, and the advantage of being nestled.
Baptism on April 24: Life (News broadcast)
April 24, 2022 Divine Liturgy and Baptism
“A Secret for Dreaming” – the Montebello Monument experience, first hand
Fr. Vazken’s “99” speech at the Monument, Montebello
Globalization and the Armenian Church (with HH Karekin II)
Gregory Beylerian’s Highland Revolution
Cover: Word Art: Paradigm Shift 2022
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Next Step with Fr. Vazken #712: Consecration! The power of the Holy Spirit to transform the inanimate to the living. On the eve of the Consecration of the new San Diego church, Fr. Vazken delves into the mystic ritual that touches our lives today. The Holy Trinity revealed in our service. Vachik Mangassarian: dared to stand with us.
Consecration of San Diego Armenian Church
Follow the Consecration at https://www.facebook.com/westerndiocese
Vachik Mangassarian Obituary
Fr. Mesrob’s last unction (Next Step #31)
St. Andrew, Cupertino
ANN Sample
Neil Young and Spotify
Needle and the Damage Done
Cover: “Sneak Peek” of the San Diego Church, 2022
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!
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Next Step #677: The dots get connected between the Christ’s Cross and the “Lynching Trees.” James Cone and Black Liberation Theology, works that resonate with and for us. Understanding as afforded us by walking in the shoes of others. Thoughts from the MLK walk for peace in Glendale and how Armenians have lost the map to two-way streets. Humanity found: No superiority rhetoric.
The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James Cone
“More than a Greeting” by Fr. Vazken
George Floyd: After Asphyxiation by Fr. Vazken
WD168 This Week
MLK Walk pictures
“Strange Fruit”
Greetings of Hope to Darfur
Governor Newsom on the shooting in San Jose
New Era for Glendale Armenians
Bob Dylan at 80 https://www.rollingstone.com/bob-dylan-archive-songs-discography-album-reviews-interviews/
Cover: “Guitar scarf”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!
Listen on Apple Podcasts
