Tag Archive for: Candlemas

Valentine & Presentation

Armodoxy for Today: Valentine & Presentation

On the day of the year when flowers, candies and heart-decorated cards are exchanged between lovers to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the Armenian Church celebrates the feast of Diaruntarch, commemorating the scene described in the Gospel of St. Luke, chapter 2.

To be sure, Valentine is a saint recognized by the Armenian Church but not necessarily remembered on the Church calendar. Being a 3rd century personality, St. Valentine is part of the group of saints recognized by the Universal Church. In the West they celebrate his feast in February and in the East in July. As for the flowers, candies and heart-decorated cards, it is the free market capitalizing on love, which is not a bad deal. The more we can talk about love, the better for our world.

According to Scripture, “Now when the days of her [Mary’s] purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him [Jesus] to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.” (Luke 2:23) This takes place on the 40th day following birth. Since the Armenian Church celebrates the Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ on January 6, we calculate 40 days later on February 14. The West calculates this date from December 25 and celebrates it on February 2, referring to it as the feast of Presentation, or Candlemas. In a more secular world, we have Groundhog Day competing for our attention.

The message of this day comes to us from “a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout… and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (vs.25-26)

At the Temple, upon seeing Jesus, he takes Jesus in his arms and proclaims this prophecy, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.

Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’” (vs. 29-35)

In Simeon’s words and at the altar we find the Divine plan for salvation through Jesus Christ.

A tradition associated with this feast is the lighting of bonfires, and young couples jump over them as part of a folk ritual of fertility. There have been some priests who have tried to connect it to the “Fire of Christ” or the “Light of Christ.” Like Occam’s Razor, Armodoxy shaves off the excess and looks at the simplest explanation. It is a fertility rite left over from pagan days. It’s about carnal love and fits in with the Valentines motif and so along the lines of the groundhog at the midwinter, have fun and enjoy the celebration but call it for what it is.

Appropriate for the day and the traditions, I offer this prayer from St. Nersess Shnorhali (10th hour), “O Christ, who are the Living Fire, inflame my soul with the fire of Your love. Which you did send forth upon the earth, that it may burn the stains of my soul, sanctify my conscience, purge the sins of my body, and kindle in my heart the light of Your knowledge. Amen.”

Necessary Steps

Next Step #506: Reclaiming the Christian narrative as a preface to relevance and thereby bringing about change. Acknowledging/Disowning Jesus (Matthew 10:32-3) is not a jump to judgement. Video recording Jesus for context: 1000 days not recorded. Some real rules for Lent. Before getting another Xmas: Valentine and Presentation (Diaruntarch) pointing to One who is Greater. The Post, The First Amendment and Reclaim.
A Fuego Lento/Tangos Among Friends
Michael Goorjian, “What Lies Beyond the Stars
Lenten Journey
St. Valentine
Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas)
Reclaim: www.Embracing-Faith.com
Florida Shooting
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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A-maze-ing Midwinter Coffee

Next Step #504: Midwinter/Candlemas come together over a cup of coffee and a reading. Just back from Vancouver and energized by the cold temperatures and the wonderful people, Fr. Vazken connects some important dots between Groundhogs, the Lunar Eclipse, Superbowl and an exhibit of a-maze-ing men, both in Vancouver and in Armenia. An action-packed episode. A formula for Religion based on Laughter? “May this sculpture inspire laughter, playfulness, and joy in all who experience it.”
Madigi Yerke by Element Band
Presentation of the Lord
Groundhog Day 2018
Lunar Eclipse 2018
Coffeescapes
Abril Books
A-Maze-ing Laughter
Yue Minjun artwork in Armenia
Superbowl Advertising
Origin by Dan Brown
Leveraging Love
Photo: “Coffee with Laura” Coffeescape by Anush Movsesian Avejic
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!

Unapologetically Speaking

Next Step #401: East & West meet as Pope Francis & Patriarch Kirill rendezvous in Havana. Unapologetically speaking about Candlemas, Diaruntarch, bonefires and the Groundhog. Options for St. Valentine; Our dad; Follow up on Vartanats and more…
Song: Dle Yaman, Yeghish Manoukian
Pope Francis & Patriarch Kirill Meet
Armenian Church 101
Lamp Unto My Feet (Vartanats)
Varougan Movsesian biography
Lenten Journey by Fr. Vazken
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!