Lenten Journey Day 6 – Facilitating the Vision
Day 6: Facilitating the Vision
Lenten Recipe

Day 6: Facilitating the Vision
There are a few saints that stand out above others and are revered specially by the Armenian people. One of them is St. Sarkis, who has a unique following among the Armenians. Parents name their boys Sarkis, and as a family name, it is among the most common. 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).
While his story contains unpleasant and gruesome details, I offer it today for a reason.
With the conversion of Constantine to Christianity and the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire, Sarkis went throughout the kingdom tearing down pagan altars and constructing Christian churches. When he arrived in Persia he served as a Captain in King Shaboo’s military. When the king learned that Sarkis was converting his soldiers, he demanded that Sarkis worship before a statue of his pagan god and fire. Sarkis’ reply was definite, “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. His punishment for converting people to Christianity was beheading. 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.”
When he was beheaded, 14 Persian soldiers who followed Sarkis, tended to his remains, wrapping his body in preparation for burial. The King was infuriated and had them killed as well.
To this day, even among the Persians, Sarkis is referred to as “The invincible witness and grantor of all requests.” Every year, on this day following the Fast of the Catechumens St. Sarkis, his son Mardiros, and the 14 followers are remembered in the Church, and even more, among the people who approach the feast with fasting and prayer. Often, because of the Fast of the Catechumens is just before St. Sarkis’ day, the lessons of the day are forgotten and the physical disciplines (e.g. fasting) have replaced those 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 (from the fast) as signals for falling in love and betrothal.
The story of St. Sarkis should inspire us to stay firm in our belief. As gruesome as it is, I share it today so we understand that the greatest gift of life has been given for this faith. Also, as a warning that religion can get out of hand. What St. Sarkis did was a sacrifice and true bravery to stand up for his beliefs in the face of physical danger. On the other hand it can, and has for many, turned into a simple exercise to acquire their desires, rather than an opportunity to center their life around Christ, as was the desire of St. Sarkis.
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.”
Armodoxy for Today: Fast for Nativity
All good things come with discipline. A regular prayer life is essential for the Christian, as is engaging with the Holy Scriptures and regular participatory practice in community worship. Christianity engages the body, soul and mind with its teachings and practices.
Toward the discipline of the body, the Church prescribes fasting. Today, the fasting period for Theophany begins.
Every major event in the Armenian Church, is preceded by a period of fasting. The practice can take different forms. Whether you fast completely or partially, the matter is between you and God, and no one else. Jesus’ instruction for fasting is clear “When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:16-18)
When you fast you only naturally think of food. Hunger brings pain physically and psychology you experience discomfort because you know that food is only a few steps or minutes and yet you are being deprive of food of your own will. In that discomfort you understand Christ’s words, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
The first day of fasting is truly the hardest because your body is acclimating to the hunger. On the second and third days your body begins to understand that there is a change and accepts the hunger and focuses on strengthening the spiritual and psychological senses.
Theophany is in sight. It is the revelation of God, the Creator, Jesus Christ on earth, in our midst. Being ready psychologically and emotionally has been the journey of the last several weeks. This last week, with the addition of fasting, we bring these all elements together to meet and greet Christ in his Incarnation.
If you were to see Christ in your midst, that is, with you and your family and friends, what would be your reaction? Would you say, “Merry Christmas?” Would you say, “Christ is in our midst?” or would your reaction be more profound? Would you be shocked and in awe? Finding that perfect expression of joy in meeting the Christ Child in our midst is the focus of this Advent Journey.
Let us pray, Lord Jesus, you were born and revealed, bringing Light into the world. Fill the darkness that surrounds me with the Light that is you. Fill my heart with your Love, so that there is no room for hatred, disease and evil. And may I meet you with as a disciple of your love. Amen.
Next Step #646: Spirit and body working in concert and living in harmony. Fasting: a tool for war. Spiritual awareness through fasting on this, the fourth week of the Artsakh war. The mystery of the missing fasting word – Mark 9:29.
MonaLisa Twins
Torkom Sarayadarian
Purple Tie Award
WD168 this week
Fast for Artsakh
Cover: Flower in Artsakh 2019 Fr. Vazken
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Next Step #444: After Castro and before Christ: “A revolution is a fight to death between the future and the past” – a look beyond the Old Testament ties. “Gifts for Jesus” – new found list in the Gospels. Experience in Portland, OR: Singing it alone/Celebrating together. Fasting myths explained. Part 2 of the “Advent Gospels” (Luke 14:12-24; Luke 17: 1-10; Luke 18:9-14) Discovering a set of Gospel readings that bridge the road to Christmas.
“I Believe in Father Christmas” by Greg Lake
Fasting Myth
Pope Francis on Environment
Fidel Castro
Advent Season Opener
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Photo: “Autumn Leaves” 2008 Fr. Vazken Movsesian
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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