A pious Christian will certainly jump at the chance to help, or even interact, with Christ. For many, Christ is only a person appearing in history, and so, it is safe to want come to his aid. If I were there at the time of the crucifixion, I certainly would have stood up against his accusers or torturers.
Of all the challenges Jesus offers to participate in the Kingdom, there is no invitation as clear as the one he offers when he says, “I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’… For inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” (Matthew 25)
No need to time travel to meet Jesus, he’s all around us.
Today’s one minute for Summertime.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Homeless-Matthew-25-772.jpg11251125Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2025-08-29 00:01:492025-08-28 19:37:34Jesus closer than you think
Armenian names traditionally end with an I-A-N (alternatively with a Y-A-N) to denote belonging. It means, “From the family of…” The last name “Petrosian” says from the family of Petros, equivalent to Peterson in English.
Jesus’ family members have the same I-A-N naming tradition. They are called Christian, that is, of the family of Christ. His family is made up of those who accept his invitation to join.
In Matthew, chapter 12 we read Jesus’ words as He “stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.’” (vs. 48-50)
Today’s one minute for Summertime.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Baby-dad-Van-Gogh.jpg11251125Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2025-08-26 00:01:332025-08-25 14:55:41The IAN family marker
Armodoxy for Today: Religious Scams & the Weakest Link
We have all become familiar – too familiar – with this word, scam. We have heard of Internet scams, financial scams, email and telephone scams, and try to exercise some degree of caution against them. Banks, financial institutions, even health care foundations issue warning about the threat of being scammed. But when it comes to religious scams, we are certain that it could never happen to us. After all, we think, I’m a Christian, born and raised a Christian, and I know what I believe to be true. In that statement we find the weakest link in what protects us from religious scams.
These days we have everyone and their uncle professing authority in all matters concerning Christ, Christian faith and Christianity. Quote a few Bible verses and do it loud enough on a social media account, and anyone can proclaim just about anything with some degree of authority by virtue of the platform. Fake news gets tagged; but anything goes when it comes to religion, especially Christianity. With wars and talk of wars escalating, the field is open for end-of-world predictions that have to do with a battle called Armageddon.
Because religion is a personal matter, people don’t really care to know the background story. For instance, the Armenian Church, being an Apostolic Church, that is from the time of the Apostles, has a unique spot in the Christian world and speaks with authority when it comes to Christian concepts and dogma. Still, it’s easier for people to believe what they want, as hideous as things may be, rather than educating oneself.
So, in the interest of passing along some information which you may not know, here are a few things to keep in mind as you read through the scary predictions which are being made in the name of Christ and Christianity.
1 The Old Testament is not salvific. Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of the law and the prophets.
2 Jesus is the Son of God and therefore His ethnicity transcends our understanding of ethnicity. He belongs equally to everyone and to all ethnic groups.
3 The word Israel means the “people of God.” After baptism in the Armenian Church, we proclaim the person a member of the “New Israel” which is not to say they belong to the Jewish state in the Middle East.
4 Jesus will return. His return is imminent, but it has been imminent since the 1st century. For this reason, Jesus says, “About that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36)
5 The location of Jesus’ return is not disclosed. It’s his business. He asks us to love and care, not to predict places. Despite what you have read or heard, if Jesus decides he wants to come back in Puerto Rico or in Armenia, you can site all the pages in the Bible and all the preachers that you’ve heard, he doesn’t have to go by those rules. Again, He asks us to love and care, not to predict places.
6 Anyone who predicts Jesus’ return on a specific date or place is running a scam.
7 The Book of Revelation was written by St. John, one of the 12 disciples. He was imprisoned on an island writing to the Christian’s of the time. He wrote in a code that they, the people of the time, would understand. The message is simply: endure the sufferings and persecution, God’s victory is guaranteed in the end.
8 Who goes to Heaven is God’s business. Ours is to love and care for one another and leave the rest to God. Our prayer – your prayer – should be: Lord have mercy.
These are just a few items I wanted to share with you considering all the scary religious misinformation that’s being pumped out in the name of Christianity. There’s much more and that’s why we created Epostle and hope you follow the ancient teachings.
Pray the Prayer that our Lord Jesus taught us: Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
There are a few saints that stand out above others and are revered specially by the Armenian people. One of them is St. Sarkis. Parents name their boys Sarkis, and as a family name, Sarkisian is fairly common. A few years back, the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, designated St. Sarkis as the patron saint of youth. Today, young people line up in churches to receive a special blessing on the feast of St. Sarkis which is celebrated this time of year, after Theophany and before Great Lent.
Sarkis is a 4th century saint, a Roman by birth and was appointed by Constantine the Great as Prince of Cappadocia, (next to Armenia, today’s Kayseri). And while he is separated from us by space and time, the message that comes from his story speaks directly to our day and age.
With Constantine’s conversion to Christianity and the joy of the newly found Christian religion, Sarkis went throughout the Empire converting people with the message of faith, hope and love. However, when he reached Persia, the King, Shaboo, demanded that Sarkis stop preaching Christ and instead worship before his pagan altars. Sarkis’ response to the King was “I believe in one God, the All Holy Trinity, who has created heaven and earth. As a man, who is made of the earth, I can destroy your pagan statues and the fire you worship.”
This proclamation against the religion of the day infuriated the people and they began beating Sarkis with stones and clubs. They finally imprisoned him in the hopes that he would deny Christ, but he remained loyal to his faith. He was sentenced to death for his Christian faith and the “crime” of bringing people to Christ. As he was about to be executed, he prayed a prayer for his followers, “O Lord, Christ our God, all those who remember my name during their trials and tribulations, and who remember this event with prayers and fasting, hear their prayers and grant to them all their desires.”
A voice was heard from heaven saying, “I will give you what you have requested, as for you, come home to enjoy the goodness that has been prepared for you.”
I spared you the details of his death, which are rather gory, but I need to mention that he left an indelible mark on the psyche of the people. To this day, even among the Persians, Sarkis is referred to as “The invincible witness and grantor of all requests.”
Often the physical disciplines (e.g. fasting) have replaced the more important reasons for the fasting, namely the message of Jesus Christ. Even today, some folk myths still circulate among the people with seeing St. Sarkis in dreams, eating salt and water as signals for falling in love and betrothal.
Today, as we recount the story of St. Sarkis, we have to lift it off the pages of history and see it as a lesson in convictions and faith. In fact, today, Christians are being persecuted daily for their beliefs. We may not see the swords of the emperors or outright proclamations such as King Shaboo’s, but the weapons that strike us are just as deadly. Our lives are filled with temptations by materialism – believing that our possessions define us and carry some kind of intrinsic worth – while being swayed by a general attitude of indifference towards the plight of others. Death comes to us because of contempt for Christ’s call to Love.
We’d be well advised to take the call of our Catholicos to heart. St. Sarkis gives us an example of conviction, of faith, of discipline and true strength. In a world that teaches otherwise, this saint of the Armenian Church should be welcomed, not only in the lives of our youth but in all of our lives.
Let us pray, “O Christ, director of life and eternity, as your servant St. Sarkis demonstrated with his life, let your message and glory be reflected in my life. May I honor St. Sarkis, and all the saints, by living with you centered in my life, today and always. Amen.”
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https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Sarkis-Warrior-in-Prayer.jpg11251125Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2025-02-15 00:01:222025-02-14 22:12:42St. Sarkis Especially for Today
Armodoxy for Today: The Advent Series – Interconnectivity
The interconnectivity of God and man is described in Jesus’ next statement, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:7-12)
Jesus explains God as Father. As we discovered early in the Advent journey, this designation is uniquely Christian and emphasizes the intimate relationship we may expect with the Creator. He invites us into his holy and sacred family. Just as he refers to God as Father, he has now given us that right and in so doing we become brothers and sisters of Christ.
The Gospel records that one day when the crowds were so large Jesus’ mother and brothers were unable to approach him. Word got to him that, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!” (Matthew 12:47-48)
As Armenians, we are identified by the “ian” (or “yan”) suffix to our names, meaning “son of” or “family of.” Appropriately, the word “Christian’ (Christ+ian) is the family of Christ, and today we are part of that godly family. As such we have a responsibility to treat one another with the love and respect that God accords us. What is often called “The Golden Rule” is pronounced by our Lord at this point, “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.” Armodoxy is a testament to the Golden Rule.
In viewing our world, you will now further understand why Jesus’ message was so radically novel and revolutionary at that time and still is today. It speaks of the interconnectivity between God and His creation on a level that is understandable by our actions.
We pray today, Lord, let me be guided by Your Holy words. Help me to keep ever before my mind the feelings and expressions that are from God and necessary for me to share with others. As I want to be loved, may love others. As I want to be forgiven, may I forgive others. As I want to be known, may I know my fellow man. Amen.
Saints come in all shapes and sizes. That might sound like an odd way to bring attention to the elite class of the Church, but each saint has a unique story that helps us in our Christian journey through life.
Andrew was the first-called disciple of Christ, in Armenian he’s referred to as Nakhagoch. He was the one who accepted the call of Jesus. Throughout Scripture we read that he invited others to follow, most notably is his older brother, Peter, who went on to be the Apostle to, and the first Bishop of Rome.
Being the first takes a special and deep courage which is connected to inner strength but also to a commitment and belief that what you are following is absolutely and positively the correct path.
This weekend the Armenian Church celebrates St. Andrew Nakhagoch Disciple and Apostle of Christ, the first link on a movement that has changed the world.
Praying from the Book of Hours of the Armenian Church, With your Light, O Christ, we have all been enlightened, and in Your Holy Cross, O Savior, we take refuge. By the intercession of the Holy Apostle Andrew, hear us, O God our Savior, grant us peace, and show us Your mercy, Good Lord. Amen.
Pictured: St. Andrew icon on Ghazanchetsots before the Azeris destroyed and desecrated the image.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1min-Andrew-e1700191222856.jpg8301113Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-11-15 00:01:352025-06-17 20:56:38Andrew the First Called
The news came unexpectedly. No matter how much you prepare or how prepared you may be, the news of young death comes with an element of shock. So it was yesterday when we learned of our dear friend Chris’ death.
A week ago, to the day, we visited her in her hospital bed. The cancer diagnosis which she got a year earlier had now become the death sentence we all feared, but never wanted to admit. In the face of something as horrid as cancer, our defense mechanisms come into play. We refer to cancer in a variety of monikers, such as “The C word,” or “That Dreaded Disease,” to avoid using the word. But who are we fooling? Cancer is without conscience. Cancer doesn’t care whether you acknowledge it or not. We find convenient places to hide, especially when the stakes are so great, primarily because we don’t want to give up hope.
In the hospital room, we prayed. We read Jesus’ words from the Gospel of John, and ended with His proclamation, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (9:5) We spoke and I administered the Holy Sacrament. Before leaving the room, I anointed her forehead and kissed it. I knew there was a power in that room – a power that would heal this beautiful lady.
Chris was a friend to so many. Never a cross word spoken, always with soft compliments in her mouth she would reflect her inner beauty. She was a cake decorator and executed her craft with elegance that captured her love for life. In our family we were fortunate to have sampled several of her creations on special occasions. She was a devout Christian, never boastful, never wearing it on her sleeve, but I know several people she helped without any expectation. Her assistance was based on the commandment her Lord had instilled in her heart. She believed in the mantra of walking in the shoes of others, she felt their pain, and became part of their lives, and a part of our ministry.
After we prayed in the hospital, we spoke briefly. I was sure I would see her out of the hospital, but I know even the best of plans are constrained by physical limits. In my forty plus years of ministry, I have seldom seen the type of genuine faith and trust in Christ that Chris displayed through her lifetime and especially that day, opposite her death sentence.
On this week following the feast of the Holy Angels, and in line with the critique that I gave yesterday, I will keep it real and not mention that heaven has a new angel, rather I will thank God for the angel that visited us here in her lifetime to share with us the message of love, life, hope and complete unconditional trust in God. We are one less listener of Armodoxy for Today. May God rest her soul.
We pray the requiem prayer of the Armenian Church, Christ our God, forbearing and compassionate, in Your love as our Creator, have mercy upon the souls of all Your creatures, especially on Your newly departed servant, Christine. Grant rest and mercy to her soul; and to us, sinners, grant forgiveness of our transgressions. Amen.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_3670-scaled-e1731563899384.jpeg15661694Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-11-14 00:01:232024-11-13 22:03:59One Less Listener
In keeping with the themes we’ve been discussing this past week, today I’d like to share with you a message from astronomer and planetary scientist, the late Carl Segan, with an epilogue by Jesus Christ.
In 1990, the spacecraft Voyager 1, after spending 13 years exploring parts of our Solar System had reached the edge of our planetary neighborhood. Before departing, it turned around one last time toward planet Earth. It was over 4 billion miles away from home when it snapped a picture and radioed it back to us. If you looked extremely close at the image, and only after it was pointed out to you and you took a second, third and fourth glance at it the you might see a pale blue dot against rays of scattered light caused by the Sun. That image, is planet Earth
In 1994 Carl Segan wrote the book. “Pale Blue Dot.” In it he reminds us that that dot is home. Everyone we have known, loved or hated, every historical figure, from pauper to king, every barbarian and their warriors as well as every ethical teacher and their disciples, who has ever been studied, have all existed on that pale blue dot.
He goes on to warn humanity of the fragility of life, and the importance of honoring and respecting what we have with one another and our environment on that pale blue dot.
Take a look at Segan’s book and his observation of that tiny dot in the universe that we call Earth. You find a prominent scientist, futurist, and thinker talking about the ethics of being human. You see, the scientist and the priest are not too far off each other. They, both begin and end their days with dreams.
Armodoxy points to the universality of the message love, faith and hope. You don’t have to scrape the edges of the Universe to find this truth, it is in each of our hearts. The challenge is to implement the what exists there, and recognize that that pale blue dot is home.
In the Gospel of Matthew we read, an expert in the law, tested Jesus with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22)
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8423-scaled.jpeg25601920Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-06-14 00:01:332024-06-14 10:04:16From Dot to World
The interconnectivity of God and man is described in Jesus’ next statement, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:7-12)
Jesus explains God as Father. As we discovered early in the Advent journey, this designation is uniquely Christian and emphasizes the intimate relationship we may expect with the Creator. He invites us into his holy and sacred family. Just as he refers to God as Father, he has now given us that right and in so doing we become brothers and sisters of Christ.
The Gospel records that one day when the crowds were so large Jesus’ mother and brothers were unable to approach him. Word got to him that, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!” (Matthew 12:47-48)
As Armenians, we are identified by the “ian” (or “yan”) suffix to our names, meaning “son of” or “family of.” Appropriately, the word “Christian’ (Christ+ian) is the family of Christ, and today we are part of that godly family. As such we have a responsibility to treat one another with the love and respect that God accords us. What is often called “The Golden Rule” is pronounced by our Lord at this point, “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.” Armodoxy is a testament to the Golden Rule.
In viewing our world, you will now further understand why Jesus’ message was so radically novel and revolutionary at that time and still is today. It speaks of the interconnectivity between God and His creation on a level that is understandable by our actions.
We pray today, Lord, let me be guided by Your Holy words. Help me to keep ever before my mind the feelings and expressions that are from God and necessary for me to share with others. As I want to be loved, may love others. As I want to be forgiven, may I forgive others. As I want to be known, may I know my fellow man. Amen.
Time Capsule Unearthed at San Francisco’s Mt. Davidson Cross Commemorating First Easter Sunrise Service in 1923 Reveal of 90 year-old time capsule items and burial of new time capsule; Religious and political leaders joined for historic event
On Saturday, April 1st, 2023, a time capsule was unearthed from the foot of Mt. Davidson Cross in San Francisco in front of a large crowd of onlookers. Ninety years ago to the day, San Francisco officials and community members gathered at the top of Mt. Davidson Cross to witness Boy Scouts of America Troop 88 bury a sealed copper box at the foot of the Cross to commemorate the first Easter Sunrise Service held there on April 1st, 1923.
“Historic moments like these held at Mt. Davidson Cross illustrates how our Armenian-American communities can enrich and inspire society by bringing people together under the ancient canopy of our resilience and hope,” commented Fr. Mesrop Ash, Pastor of St. John’s Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco and Board Member of the Mt. Davidson Cross Armenian Council.
During the time capsule unearthing, representatives from the San Francisco Historical Society were present to delicately receive the items which will be prepared for archiving and placed on display for the public to view at their San Francisco museum in June.
Among the items found in the capsule– which were much more plentiful than the organizers were expecting– were a leather-bound Bible, a San Francisco telephone book, pamphlets, a Boy Scout pin, a municipal record of 1933 and several newspapers including the March 27, 1932, edition of the San Francisco Chronicle, featuring a full front-page photo collage of an Easter celebration, and several other newspapers from the time, many with headlines referencing a murder case.
Following the unearthing of the old time capsule, a new, larger copper time capsule was buried at the same spot. Memorable items were presented by various local clergy leaders including Archbishop Salvadore Cordieone, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco and Metropolitan Gerasimos, Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco.
In front of the crowd, Archbishop Cordieone read a poignant quote from Pope Francis in 2015 during his visit to Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Armenia and placed a copy of that inside the new capsule.
On behalf of the Armenian American community, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, placed a New Testament Bible from Constantinople (Istanbul) from 1884 belonging to a Genocide survivor and an Armenian Cross Stone (Khachkar) made especially for this event into the new time capsule.
Aside from the clergy, it was an honor to have many state and city politicians in attendance for this historic event. CA Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, as well as San Francisco Supervisors Myrna Melgar and Ahsha Safai all provided brief remarks and ceremonially added their own small San Francisco-related momento into the new time capsule.
The historic event was organized by the the Council of Armenian-American Organizations of Northern California (CAAONC), a coalition of more than 30 Armenian-American organizations that purchased the Mt. Davidson Cross through a City of San Francisco public auction in 1997. The CAAONC has renovated the Cross and maintains it and the hilltop as an offer of thanks to San Francisco for becoming a safe haven for survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
“The San Francisco Armenian American community was gratified to save the Cross from demotion in 1997 and serve as its caretaker for the past 25 years in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide committed by the Turkish government, remarked Roxanne Makasdjian, Founding Board Member of CAAONC and event Mistress of Ceremonies.
“We do this as a way of thanking San Francisco for taking in the Armenian refugees a century ago, and as a way to honor our history, both as the first nation to adopt Christianity in 301 AD, and as descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors. For us, this Cross and this time capsule embody the importance and purpose of remembrance,” commented Makasdjian.
Listen to The Next Step Podcast #390 by Fr Vazken Movsesian, produced on November 16, 2015, starting minute 33, when Fr Vazken recaps a Pilgrimage by a group of St Peter Armenian Church members, Glendale, led by him. The Pilgrimage was to 7 Churches in 3 days, including a hike to Mt Davidson Cross.
