Tag Archive for: challenges

Farsighted Victory – Day 34 of Lent

Armodoxy for Today: Farsighted Victory – Day 34 of Lent

On this final Saturday of the Lenten season, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Gregory the Illuminator’s admission into Khorvirab, or “the Deep Pit,” a place of exile and punishment. It is at the base of Mt. Ararat and is marked with a church atop the sacred space. St. Gregory was sentenced there for the capital offense of spreading the Christian Gospel through Armenia. For thirteen long years he remained in that subterranean dungeon, being nourished and cared for by the prayer and love of a faithful young lady who had converted to Christianity. He found the strength – the kind which comes from within – to challenge the system and to remain faithful to the principles and beliefs that are at the core of Christianity. Meanwhile, the Gospel of Christ had been planted and was now blossoming, in this young girl’s heart. Both St. Gregory and this young lady, Khosrovidughd, showed physical and inner strength, and we remember that strength today.

During this Lenten period we have looked within to find the basic necessities of life and we have discovered the strength that comes from various practices. We learned that ego must be put on hold or lost if we are to see the wonders of God. We challenged ourselves to discover where our inner strength lies. Now discovered, we use that strength to push ourselves forward, to make sure that the principles of our faith are not shaken.

The commemoration of St. Gregory’s entrance into the Pit should remind us of the many “pits” – prisons and dungeons in our lives. It is easy to blame others for those falls, but we should not discount our role in creating some of those prisons. Yes, even St. Gregory could have done otherwise but he did not, and therefore, he is responsible for being in Khorvirab. As noble as the reasons may be for our actions, we are part of an equation which has rewards or consequences on the other side of the equal sign.

As we mature in faith, we understand that there are serious consequences if not ramifications to every decision we make. Much like was the case for St. Gregory, if we stay firm to our principles, we may be challenged with pits in our lives.

Sitting here today, removed by 1700+ years from St. Gregory, we have a special vantage point. History may be translated into the advantage of farsightedness. We know that St. Gregory was punished in Khovirab –the Pit – but we also know the history that he was delivered and as a result, the conversion of Armenia took place, making it the first Christian nation on Earth. From the actions of St. Gregory’s death sentence, a people were given an opportunity to live.

This farsightedness is a gift from God. It is the ability to stand at one point in history and see another. To stand at Good Friday looking up at the Cross with farsightedness and see the Resurrection is our calling.  St. Gregory’s crucifixion the resurrection of a nation took place. Truly, farsightedness is a Christian gift because we see crucifixions through the lens that reveals resurrection. We see the empty tomb of Easter while standing at the cross of Calvary on Good Friday. Sometimes the pits of life are very, very deep, which is the meaning of the word Khorvirab. We struggle to overcome our difficulties. We search for a glimmer of light coming from above – a bit of light to keep us focused on hope to get out of the ditch. We appeal to farsightedness to see the beams of light coming our way.

This farsightedness kept St. Gregory alive. He was certain of resurrection following his crucifixion.

Your act of charity is to place your head up and view the resurrections from your challenges. Fast from the belief that crucifixion is the end game. On your Lenten table is a red bean appetizer to start. Its recipe is in the link below.

We pray a prayer given to us by the father and patron saint of the Armenian Church, St. Gregory the Illuminator:

Blessed is your love for human kind my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Save me from my enemies for like a lion they growl and roar seeking to swallow me up. Now my Lord, flash your light up and destroy their power.
Exalted God the only sinless one grant me this sinner your abundant compassion. Save me this wicked one by the grace of your mercy receive me into paradise with the perfectly just. Receive the prayers of this your sinful servant by the intercession of the saints who are pleasing to you Jesus Christ our Lord. Glory to you with the Father and the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 34: Red Bean Appetizer

Photo: The Church at Khorvirab, 2009KTN

Untime

Armodoxy for Today
Untime

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die,” says the author of Ecclesiastes (chapter 3). Nature has its rules, you are born, and one day you will die. Sometimes, however, time does not play by nature’s rules and children are the casualty. Appropriately, we refer to the death of children as “untimely.” As a priest in the ministry for over forty years, sadly I have had to officiate at too many funerals for children, while their broken families looked on in disbelief and torment. Even one such funeral would be “too many,” but illness, accidents, war and intolerance have taken away lives that were just about to begin, so “too many” is exactly what you understand it to be.

Back in 2006 I was called to officiate the funeral of a 15 year old named Vahagn. Classmates, friends, relatives, and just people who knew him or is family, packed our church in Hollywood. I remember the enormity of the crowd, filling the pews, the balcony, the aisles and even standing outside the windows on Vine Street, to be a part of this service. While most people knew or knew of Vahagn in his life, I had the unique vantage point; I got to know Vahagn through the expressions and tears of his loved ones and friends. Each story that was shared that day expressed the love someone had for this young man. It’s one thing to love, and quite another to be loved. Vahagn was both, he was loved because he loved. In that love, now I have come to know him.

Soon after his death, the family established a charitable foundation in his name with a specific goal to ensure that Vahagn’s passion for music, the arts, laughter and human joy will continue to flourish in the community he loved so dearly. Every year, the Foundation organizes an event such as runs, 5K walks or a tree planting ceremony. This morning in a park in Beverly Hills, Vahagn’s father remembered his son’s words, “There are no big or small stories, they all need to be told.” We planted a tree, and the area was designated as Vahagn Setian Grove. His father continued to explain that the tree will grow and provide shade to people for years to come, many who will never know Vahagn.

And so, a story was told this morning. Time stopped. Vahagn will forever be 15. Time continues, for new generations will enjoy this shade of the tree, the beauty of the grove, and the love of Vahagn.

Through the years, I have attended the annual gatherings. They are early enough on Sunday mornings so that I’ve been able to get in a 5K walk and still make it to church services. At one of the early memorials, they passed out a green rubber bracelet with a simple message from Vahagn, “Live, Love and Laugh.” I have worn that bracelet ever since. It is my daily reminder to live, love and laugh from this young but big life that had a great impact on so many, because he lived, loved and laughed.

This is the period of Advent, a time of preparation for Christmas. We are reminded that on Christmas a baby – the smallest and most humble of all – was born. He came into this world and told a simple story of love, harmony and respect. He too, lost his life early. We celebrate his message by living, loving and laughing, that is, enjoying this life.

We pray, Heavenly Father, you gave us the gift of life and we are grateful. In preparing for Christmas, instill in our hearts the love for the most simple among all of your creation. May we find the message of hope, faith and love in the smallest of stories. Bless our little children. Amen.

We continue the Advent Journey tomorrow and look forward to having you join us.

Simple, Profound: For Eternity

Next Step #539: The simple and profound message of “Church being the Church,” revisiting Primate Fr. Daniel Findikyan’s words and their implications for us today. Kavanaugh hearing: Not minimizing and a look at our evolutionary process. Presumption of innocence – difficulties and challenges. The Requiem Service “Hokehankist” explained with appearances of Enoch and Elijah. Eternity now.
Sharagan in Three Parts from Music of Armenia
Eastern Diocese Website
Fr. Daniel Interview
Thriving Life Podcast
Kavanaugh Hearing
Nebraska Video – 60th Anniversary
Fr. Vazken’s Blog on Nebraska
Handmaid’s Tale Quote
Controversial Theory of Space Time
New World – Abrahamic Faiths’ Hope for Salvation
Cover photo by Susan Movsesian 2018
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!

From Simpsons to Simon: Shame of the Cross

Next Step #328 – September 18, 2014

An evening with the Simpsons to a morning with the Holy Cross reveals a challenge to put away shame (amot) and pick up where Simon (IHS patron-saint) leaves off. This is not for the weak of heart, nor of muscle and more than wearing an icon of Christ. Tzavut Danem! is here explained. Also a quick stop with the AESA and some thoughts on the upcoming business venture.
Song: Garode by Hooshere
Links:
Elevating Cancer as the Cross for today
AESA: http://www.aesa.org/
From the SAIN days: Origins of SAIN
Publication: AIEA Newsletter
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

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