Tag Archive for: Audio

Equinox Balance: Ends and Means

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Next Step #318 – July 10, 2014

From the Next Step archives, “Equinox Balance: Ends and Means (#120 – originally broadcast on September 23, 2010). The Autumnal Equinox brings a balance of time and power, one expressed through the “Harvestest” moon. Can we find a balance between ends and means, primarily when it comes to soliciting donation for the church? A listener’s comments about the St. Leon Cathedral. And where is the balance of ego-inflation with the goals of the Church and religion? The Salvation Army REFUSES a donation of $100,000? Jethro Tull Plays in Armenia – a small tribute to a band with 40+ years of versatility and imagination gone wild.
Song: “Bouree” by Jethro Tull (A Little Light Music) www.jethrotull.com
Ani’s Bubbles: “Breast Cancer; Walk http://scrubsmag.com/author/AniBurr/
Dr. Harry Hagopian’s link: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/Armenia
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Freedom to Create Through Love

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Next Step #317 – July 3, 2014

From the Next Step archives, “Freedom to Create Through Love” (#3 – originally broadcast on July 2, 2008). Independence Day is a fitting time to look at our freedoms through the lens of Armenian Orthodoxy. What has been the strength of the Armenian people to survive? Where does this spirituality come from? Christ releases us of our bonds and gives us the true freedom – His Love. God has given us the most beautiful gift, the ability to create by tapping into the power of love. In this podcast Fr. Vazken explores the ideas of freedom, independence, and creativity.
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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From Numbers to Light – it’s the connection that matters

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Next Step #316 – June 26, 2014

From the Next Step archives, “From Numbers to Light – it’s the connection that matters” (#58 –originally broadcast on July 18, 2009). The Next Step begins with an interesting number theory from listener Yuri in St. Petersburg, Russia. Is it by chance that #57 had all the digits in the date stamp? If so, what about zero? Can you shed some light on that? Jesus did exactly that – with the Transfiguration. Light was not spared to tie us into the beginning of all creation and the end of time as we know it. God’s promise to open our hearts to love and the well-lit path is explored by Fr. Vazken’s expose of the feast of Transfiguration. But don’t fret the esoteric themes, there’s a serving of fish and chips in this episode. It happens to be everything you need and more. Listen in to a wild ride from numbers to light and realize that they are all connected.
Song: “Arev, Arev” by Mariam Matossian
“About Light” by Gor Mkhitarian (Spirit Album – BUY NOW)
Bubbles by Ani: Feeding the wolves;
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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Three Funerals and an Identity

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Next Step #315: From the Next Step archives, “Three Funerals and an Identity” (#48, originally broadcast on May 6, 2009). The collective and past moments in our individual lives has contributed towards our identity. Earlier this year, Fr. Vazken’s trip to Armenia initiated a discussion at Etchmiadzin, the Holy Mother See, about identity. And this week with the passing of three people, Ankine Mouradian, Jora Markarian and Rev. Fr. Vartan Dulgarian, the line is drawn between their lives and ours. Using the metaphor of the onion, we can imagine ourselves as being composed of layers, and each layer around us there for a reason, including the hurts and the pains we’ve lived through. These are the experiences that today give us the strength to reach out to someone else now experiencing the same. What about the purity of the message? Well, time to tune in and find out how to keep it pure.
Ani’s Spiritual Bubbles talks about priorities.
Global Perspective with Hratch Tchilingirian: World Press Freedom Day and the theme of media potential in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and reconciliation to focus on the moral responsibility of reporting the truth.
Musical selection is Melineh Kurdian singing “As Good as You” from her album, From Where You Are.
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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The Rock & the World Cup

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Next Step #314 – June 12, 2014 

Finishing up the sixth year of broadcasting with a two-step, one back and one forward. Topics: The Rock of Christ, The fallacy of the people-church; Technology changes from the Brick to the Smart phone.
Song: “Shalakho” by Hosharian Brothers
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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The Human Condition: Sex, Pentecost & the Church

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Next Step #313 – June 5, 2014

From the death of a young girl on the streets of Glendale, opens a discussion about domestic violence and personal sexual imaging. The Pentecost – the birth of the Christian Church – opens a candid discussion about marketing and selling the Body of Christ. Keeping the message of Christ and salvation real and accelerating the revolution. Continuing on the road to Ascension. Themes in this episode may be disturbing to listeners.
Dr. Maya Angelou: “It’s Sacred: Church”
Slut-Shaming 
One More Important part of Sex
Fr. Vazken’s Blog: http://www.armodoxy.blogspot.com/
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
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Ascension: Beyond Resurrection via Healing

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Next Step #312 – May 29, 2014

In the continuing quest for relevance in traditional Orthodoxy, Fr. Vazken challenges listeners to find healing in life beyond the message of resurrection. Appealing to the story of Jesus’ Ascension (the feast is today), here is a fresh look at the story found in Matthew 28. Destiny, fortunes, superstitions are discussed in religious folklore. Pope Francis in Jerusalem – the schisms not because of our misunderstanding of God but caused by our misunderstanding of each other.
The “In” in In His Shoes is the operative word and it makes all the difference as the Christian story of salvation. Forgive and forgetting is the difference of resurrection and ascension. Preview to the 100th Anniversary of Commemoration.
Song: “Vijag” by Zulal
“Foreplay” by Boston
Pope Francis in Jerusalem with Patriarch Bartholomew
Pope Francis & Netanyahu
Ascension – Healing
Dr. Harry Hagopian;  MENA Analysis
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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Women: The Non-Church Issue

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Next Step #311 – May 22, 2014

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
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When Religion Hits the Off Button

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Next Step #310 – May 14, 2014

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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Walking Against Cancer

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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