Tag Archive for: Holy Spirit

Language to Communicate

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Armodoxy for Today: Language to Communicate

At the Pentecost the Holy Spirit bestowed gifts upon the Apostles, the necessary tools with which to do their missionary work. In Armenian, the feast of Pentecost is called hokegalust, which means “Coming of the Spirit.” In the Book of Acts (2), the event is recorded, “The Holy Spirit gave the gift of utterance to the Apostles.”

The gift of God is communication. We are not created as robots, but entities with the ability to process thoughts and communicate those thoughts to others. In the most intimate of positions and circumstances, the human being has the opportunity to communicate at all levels with thoughts, speech, glances and touch. Language is the skill to communicate with others.

Armodoxy rejects the idea that at Pentecost the gift of utterance was a secret sound-code that was understood by only a select few. Scripture says that the people who heard the Apostles talking said, “And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? … we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” The sounds that people heard were languages, not non-sensical words or sounds. The gifts of God are always practical; they have a function.

Words express our thoughts and teach, that is, they pass along knowledge. The object of those teaching-lessons is harmony among people. The idea that God would give people confusing sounds or would want to confound people’s attempts to understand one another is foreign to Christian thought. The gift of the Holy Spirit brings us together, not draws us apart. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. With the Holy Spirit, the Church would now move to continue the work of Christ.

Language is the perfect vehicle for this group of people, the Apostles. They communicated the message that was given to them through Christ: Peace on Earth, good will toward one another.

We conclude today with a reading from Acts chapter 2, regarding the first Christian community after Pentecost:

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Pentecost: Beyond History

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Armodoxy for Today: From History to Sermon

The sermon begins “Today is Pentecost” followed by a story from the pages of the Book of Acts. We hear the story of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples, turning them into the evangelists for Christ’s Holy Church. What’s our take-away from this sermon? There was an event, on the 50th day after the Resurrection – pente, 50 – and with the reception of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles embarked on their sacred mission to evangelize the world.

This is what’s known as a history lesson in the guise of a sermon. The purpose of a sermon, unlike a history lesson, is to preach a lesson to the listener, a lesson which applies to their lives today. It was for this reason that Jesus promised the Disciples to send the Holy Spirit, so that they would not merely present Jesus as a figure of history, but as the Living God that affects and interacts with His children in their lives today, as He did 2000 years ago. Pentecost is the event that invites us to the holiness of the Church. It is in His Sacred Church, where that message is revealed.

When Jesus began his ministry, he invited the Disciple to “Come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) At the end of his ministry on Earth he said to them, “Go and make disciple of all…” (Matthew 28:16-20) “Come” says Jesus to learn as my Disciples, “Go” says Christ to teach as my Apostles.

A simple but powerful prayer by St. Nersess Shnorhali reminds that the Holy Spirit has touched the Disciples and purified us by working and acting within us all. Today is a day to be receptive to the joy that fills our lives with godliness.

Spirit of God, true God, who descended on the river Jordan, and into the Upper Room; who enlightened me by the baptism of the Holy Font, I have sinned against heaven and before you. Purify me again with your divine fire, as the fiery tongues purified the Holy Apostles.
Have mercy upon your creatures, and on me, a sinner. Amen.

Coming of the Spirit

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Armodoxy for Today: Pentecost

A young girl in a parking lot
Was preaching to a crowd
Singing sacred songs and reading from the Bible
Well, I told her I was lost
And she told me all about the Pentecost
And I seen that girl as the road to my survival…
~Paul Simon (Duncan)

The Pentecost is a turning point event in the life of the post-Resurrection Christian Community. While the word Pentecost alludes to the 50th day after Easter, let us refer to it by its Armenian names Hokegalust as it is more descriptive and, therefore, more meaningful for the Christian. Translated, Hokegalust means the coming of the Spirit. Jesus promised the Great Comforter. On this day, the promise is fulfilled. We read the story in the Book of Acts, chapter 2.

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they [the Disciples] were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? …we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

The first and most important take-away from this story is that the Uncreated Essence, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, the One that was floating above the Earth before time, the Holy Spirit, had landed upon this group of individuals – each from a different background – and was transforming them into a Community, which would eventually change the world. This is a sacred mission of the Church. It transforms the world because it has an understanding of peace, harmony among people, and the golden key that turns the locks to every door, namely, love. And it learned this from Love Incarnate, namely, Jesus Christ.

The Disciples were ordered to go to the world and spread the message of faith, hope and love. Thus, the Disciples turned into Apostles, meaning one who is sent. In Armenian, the word Arakyal (apostle = one who is sent) comes from the verb Arakel (to send).

The revolution starts now. Jesus came and he touched the Disciples and the people with his message, but it was on this day that his message was given the feet with which to walk and change the world.

From the 5th hour of St. Nersess Shnorhali’s prayer, we pray, Spirit of God, true God Who descended on the river Jordan and the Upper Room. Cleanse me once more with your divine fire, as the tongues of flame cleansed the Holy Apostles. Have mercy upon your creation, and on me, a sinner. Amen.

Holy Spirit Mystery

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Armodoxy for Today: Holy Spirit Mystery

Pentecost is the feast of the Christian Church. It is on this day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and the Church was born.

Of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the Holy Spirit is perhaps the most difficult to understand. We understand the concept of a father. And we understand the concept of a son. We have examples of fathers and sons in our lives, and even if they are not virtuous or respectable examples, we think we understand the notions of fathers and sons.

The truth is the Holy Trinity is what we refer to in Armodoxy as a “mystery.” Try as we might we cannot be understood. Every Sunday we begin the corporate worship of the Church, the Holy Divine Liturgy, the Badarak, with the words, խորհուրդ խորին անհաս անսկիզբն… It is a declaration that the object of our worship, God, is a “deep mystery, unexplainable and without beginning…”

Jesus specifically explained, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)

It is often tempting for people, especially clergy, to speak on behalf of God. During this Pentecost season, while we focus on the effects of the Holy Spirit, it is important to understand ourselves as people – humans – each of us trying to understand the Devine based on the traditions that affect our spirituality. As the Armenian Church, gives us an understanding from the Apostolic era – a time that knew Jesus up close and personal.

The other day I was listening to a very popular preacher, Joel Osteen. At the end of his sermon he invited the people to accept Christ by reciting a short prayer. He concluded by saying, “If you said this prayer, we believe you were born again…” It was refreshing to hear him qualify his claim with the words, “We believe…” In so doing, he shared that this was an interpretation – his and his denominations understanding – of the born-again experience. “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The Pentecost period is a time to contemplate the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, by allowing the Spirit to move within and without our lives – to blow where it wishes and for us to feel and accept its power.

Let us pray a prayer adapted from the Holy Divine Liturgy, “I beseech you, Lord our God who alone are good and ready to hear, look upon me, your sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and my mind from all the defilements of the evil one; and by the power of your Holy Spirit enable me to stand in your presence and in appreciation to glorify you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Pentecost – Hokegalust

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Armodoxy for Today: Pentecost

A young girl in a parking lot
Was preaching to a crowd
Singing sacred songs and reading from the Bible
Well, I told her I was lost
And she told me all about the Pentecost
And I seen that girl as the road to my survival…
~Paul Simon (Duncan)

The Pentecost is a turning point event in the life of the post-Resurrection Christian Community. While the word Pentecost alludes to the 50th day after Easter, let us refer to it by its Armenian names Hokegalust as it is more descriptive and, therefore, more meaningful for the Christian. Translated, Hokegalust means the coming of the Spirit. Jesus promised the Great Comforter. On this day, the promise is fulfilled. We read the story in the Book of Acts, 2nd chapter.

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

The first and most important take-away from this story is that the Uncreated Essence, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, the One that was floating above the Earth before time,  the Holy Spirit, has landed upon this group of individuals – each from a different background – and has transformed them into a Community, which will eventually change the world. This is a sacred mission that is here to transform the world, its understanding of peace, harmony among people, and the golden key that turns the locks to every door, namely, love.

The Disciples were ordered to go to the world and spread the message of faith, hope and love. Thus, the Disciples turned into Apostles, meaning one who is sent. In Armenian, the word Arakyal (apostle=one who is sent) comes from the verb Arakel (to send).

The revolution starts now. Jesus came and he touched the Disciples and the people with his message, but it was on this day that his message was given the feet with which to walk and change the world.

Join us tomorrow as we continue on the theme of the hokegalust – the Sacred turning point and beginning of the Revolution, on Armodoxy for Today.

Universal Converter

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Next Step #744: Queen Elizabeth II, passes and the speed of updates. Personal passing’s: reflections on Sam Boranian and life led in humility. Jesus and accessibility: The Universal Converter and how to “plug” into the power of the Holy Spirit. Metaphors and more on postures.
Queen Elizabeth II, first hour after passing
Sam Boranian obituary
Universal Converter 
Grandpa’s Magical Toys
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org and Epostle.net
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Holy Spirit Building the Church

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Next Step with Fr. Vazken #730: From the words of St. Paul (Ephesians 4) to the vision of Bishop Daniel Findikyan, “Building Up the Body of Christ” is the next step in direction and opportunity for the Armenian Christian experience. Pentecost and the witness of the Holy Spirit building Christ’s Holy Church: Direction for the Christian Church. Spiritual music from the Monastery of Holy Geghart. “Going back to move forward” – a quick look at Luke 2.
Building Up the Body of Christ by Bishop Daniel Findikyan (text & audio)
Second Palm Sunday Sermon
Unleashing his vision (2018 Interview with Bp. Daniel)
Story of Pentecost
Cover: Ruins of Havuts Monastery Armenia at Sunset, V. Kulkov
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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Consecration and Transformation

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Next Step with Fr. Vazken #712: Consecration! The power of the Holy Spirit to transform the inanimate to the living. On the eve of the Consecration of the new San Diego church, Fr. Vazken delves into the mystic ritual that touches our lives today. The Holy Trinity revealed in our service. Vachik Mangassarian: dared to stand with us.
Consecration of San Diego Armenian Church
Follow the Consecration at https://www.facebook.com/westerndiocese
Vachik Mangassarian Obituary
Fr. Mesrob’s last unction (Next Step #31)
St. Andrew, Cupertino
ANN Sample
Neil Young and Spotify
Needle and the Damage Done
Cover: “Sneak Peek” of the San Diego Church, 2022
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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Name & Legacy

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Next Step #585: The legacy of Catholicos Vazken I – what do we take away from him 25 years after his death. His name, a special calling and expression of the Holy Spirit. One Vazken to the next in this edition. An angel named Alyssa visits and makes a 25 year old connection.
Alone Again Or by Love
25th Anniversary Video Tribute
Vazken I – Addresses & Messages PDF
Photo Gallery of 25th Anniversary Event
Vazken on Vazken: Personal Reflections
Cover: Catholicos’ tomb close up
Technical Director: Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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Pentecost Close to Home

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Next Step #470: Intolerance escalates; bullies back down from bigger bullies all in the name of comedy? Maher, Griffin and the rest (excuse us Professor & Mary Ann). Pentecost- the power of the Holy Spirit to transform. Protest a la capitalism = putting out the fire with water. Continuity and growth by finding the next generation of protesters. And more…
Adana by Zaruhi Babayan
Teachings of Fr. Mesrob Sarafian
Reflections from the Priest’s funeral (Next Step #31)
Five Differences between Orthodox & Evangelicals
Upcoming Decennial Forgiveness Day: http://inhisshoes.org/event/7×77/
From 2007 Forgiveness day: http://7×77.org
Photo: Portland Art
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!