Tag Archive for: humanity

The Move to Humanity

Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead, who had studied various and many societies throughout the world, taught and advocated for cultural relativism, as a means by which we as people can better understand one another. With all the differences marked by cultures and society, the main ingredient for humanity is a basic one.

The story is told that one of Margaret Mead’s students asked her what she considered to be the first sign of civilization. The student expected the anthropologist to point to clay pots, tools for hunting or various societal or religious artifacts. Instead, Mead pointed to a healed femur found in an archeological site, dating back 15,000 years. This was the first evidence of civilization, she claimed.

A femur is the longest bone in the body, linking hip to knee. Take away some of the benefits of modern medicine and it takes about six weeks of rest for a fractured femur to heal. This particular bone had been broken and had healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, you cannot drink or hunt for food. In fact, if you were wounded in this manner, you became food for other animals. If you were to stand still for your bone to heal, you’d definitely be the main course on some other animal’s dinner menu. Another animal… that’s right. The question being asked was what separates us – humanity – from other animals? Why was this healed bone the key to understanding when we moved from animal to caring people?

A broken femur that has healed, explained Mead, is evidence that another person took time to stay with the injured person, bound the wound, carried the person to safety and tended to them through recovery. A healed femur indicates that someone has helped a fellow human, rather than abandoning them to save their own life.

“Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts,” explained Margaret Mead.

Armodoxy has roots in untouched Christianity. Christ instructs us, “When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.  And you will be blessed.” You see, Christ’s invitation is an invitation to humanity.

Let us pray a prayer from St. Ephrem (4th Century)

I gaze upon You, Christ my Lord, and open my heart before You through fervent prayer, O Son of God, for humbling Yourself before Your creatures and taking on the role of a servant. You possess such love for humankind that we may attain divine wisdom. Have mercy on me, O benevolent God.

Etchmiadzin – Universal

Armodoxy for Today: Universality of Faith

The feast of Holy Etchmiadzin has a descriptor in its official name. It is “universal.” While the word implies the connection to the larger Body, that is, to the Christian Church, it also gives us a direction for ministry, especially when we understand that Etchmiadzin is Mission.

In a world that is plagued with war, disease, poverty, intolerance and indifference, the feast of Holy Etchmiadzin is essential for the survival of humanity. This is not hyperbole, but confirmation that compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice, selflessness, and tolerance, that is love is the only answer for us as a planet.  The original Christian message was, and still is, applicable to the entire world – in the here and now – and accessible to everyone. This is why we say Armodoxy is the expression of OG Christianity.

According to the verses in Genesis 2 the Garden of Eden, the birthplace of humanity is in Armenia. According to Genesis 8, the resting place of the Ark, the second chance at life was on the Mountains of Ararat, the peak that shadows Armenia. The Christ Light which shines from Holy Etchmiadzin is the hope for humanity. Herein is the universality of Holy Etchmiadzin. These three physical locales – the Garden, the Mountain and the Cathedral –  although they exist in Armenia, belong to all of humanity. They cannot be confined to a group or tribe of people. They contain the elements and energy of life proclaiming God’s ever-presence in human history. Holy Etchmiadzin completes the holy trinity of physical locations that radiate the love energy, from spiritual vortexes in this small patch of land.

On the Feast of the Universal Church Etchmiadzin, we make a pronouncement to the entire world the words of the hymn: The only-begotten descended from the Father and the light of glory was with him… The patriarch Gregory saw the great light and joyfully told of it… Come let us build the sanctuary of the Light, for therein shone forth light unto us in the land of Armenia.

Humanity

Armodoxy for Today by Fr. Vazken

 

 

Humanity

Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead, who had studied various and many societies throughout the world, taught and advocated for cultural relativism, as a means by which we as people can better understand one another. With all the differences marked by cultures and society, the main ingredient for humanity is a basic one.

The story is told that one of Margaret Mead’s students asked her what she considered to be the first sign of civilization. The student expected the anthropologist to point to clay pots, tools for hunting or various societal or religious artifacts. Instead, Mead pointed to a healed femur found in an archeological site, dating back 15,000 years. This was the first evidence of civilization, she claimed.

A femur is the longest bone in the body, linking hip to knee. Take away some of the benefits of modern medicine and it takes about six weeks of rest for a fractured femur to heal. This particular bone had been broken and had healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, you cannot drink or hunt for food. In fact, if you were wounded in this manner, you became food for other animals. If you were to stand still for your bone to heal, you’d definitely be the main course on some other animal’s dinner menu. Another animal… that’s right. The question being asked was what separates us – humanity – from other animals? Why was this healed bone the key to understanding when we moved from animal to caring people?

A broken femur that has healed, explained Mead, is evidence that another person took time to stay with the injured person, bound the wound, carried the person to safety and tended to them through recovery. A healed femur indicates that someone has helped a fellow human, rather than abandoning them to save their own life.

“Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts,” explained Margaret Mead.

Armodoxy has roots in untouched Christianity. Christ instructs us, “When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.  And you will be blessed.” You see, Christ’s invitation is an invitation to humanity.

Let us pray a prayer from St. Ephrem (4th Century)

I gaze upon You, Christ my Lord, and open my heart before You through fervent prayer, O Son of God, for humbling Yourself before Your creatures and taking on the role of a servant. You possess such love for humankind that we may attain divine wisdom. Have mercy on me, O benevolent God.

Dust goes by

Next Step with Fr. Vazken #696: What really lasts forever? From our Dust in the Wind Department: Sears closes Illinois office. Lessons for the Church. Catholicos Karekin II meets with Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Books to be held: “Humanity During War” by Ezras Tellalian. The Tale of Two Babies – a metaphor for today and the grander-tomorrow. From our mixed shoes department: “They were Chris’, not mine.”
Tale of Two Babies
Everything Must Go (at Sears)
Catholicos meets with Pope
Pope’s visit to Armenia (2016) NS#490
Humanity During War
Fr. Vazken on Humanity During War
Chris Brown / In His Shoes
Kansas: Dust in the Wind
Put Your Hand in the Hand
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!
Listen on Apple Podcasts

iACTivism in Armenia

Next Step with Fr. Vazken #695: Interview with iACT Founder and Chief of Vision Gabriel Stauring and iACT Executive Director Katie-Jay Stauring, about their work with refugees, displaced individuals, war, Genocide and an approach to healing. The War in Artsakh, one year later, thoughts for spiritual Q&A.
iACT news: Facebook page
iACT website: www.iact.ngo
“King of Glory” Q&A one year after the war 
iACT – Mindfulness and Soccer in Armenia 
Interview video: https://youtu.be/BKs47NLYopU
Greetings of Hope: Armenians to Darfuris
In His Shoes Mission
Arpi Alto
Arpi Alto Channel
Cover: iACT Soccer ball in rest on a field in Goris, Armenia, 2021
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!
Listen on Apple Podcasts

Is Normal B.C. possible?

Next Step #626: Life had changed since the pandemic and continuing through the death of George Floyd. Is there a new normal? Any hope of returning to normal B.C.? Here is a straight-forward and simple way of finding purpose and meaning in this hurting world. A Christian response to today: Finding God so Ego can be forgotten. Why Christianity is a radical approach to life’s difficulties. Acknowledging God validates your humanity. Peel an onion and there’s nothing in the middle. Peel an artichoke to find the heart and flavor. From Christ to Floyd: Human torture and “humane” death. “As you have done to him you have done to me…” (It works both ways.) Jesus’ death cause: Asphyxiation and now the “least of his brothers” has died of the same causes.
Ara Dabanjian’s “Moonless Night
Element Band
Fr. Vazken’s: George Floyd and the Pentecost
Trump & the Bible photo-op
Bishop Brudd’s Op-Ed on Trump & the Bible
Archemedes’ Lever
Cover: Utah Spring, Fr. Vazken 2019
Technical Director: Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
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Sensitivity beyond Silence

Next Step #419: We kick off our 9th year of broadcasting with a look at the desensitization process in the aftermath of the Orlando shooting. When a moment of silence turns into an expression of desensitization. The bestowing of “Dzayrakoyn Vartabed” ranks – some preliminary descriptors and the model for living as humanity. Fr. Vazken connects the dots twixt these events and more.
Song by Vardan Ovsepian
Congressman rejects Moment of Silence
Stephen Colbert on Orlando
Vardan Ovsepian at Brand Library
Dzarakoyn Vartabed Degrees Bestowed
Paul is Dead
About Revolution 9
Photo: Courtesy of Vahe Sargsyan
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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Reconciling with Absurdity

Next Step #79 – December 10, 2009

Reconciling peace and war, love and evil, God and humanity – it’s the Next Step in the Advent journey. A look at Obama receiving the Nobel Peace prize while sending troops to Afghanistan; a murder in Glendale and a Genocide in Sudan – is peace possible without violence? Without war? And what about Bab Walter’s 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009? This Next Step tries to reconcile it all. And what about Jesus’ Wish List for Christmas? If he’s the real “Birthday Boy” – how about a gift for him? A look at the great banquet in Luke 14.
Ani’s Bubbles: What then, Senor?
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net
Sponsored by Pomegranateandeye.etsy.com

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