Tag Archive for: leadership

Dreams & Diplomacy

Armodoxy for Today: Dreams and Diplomacy – Vazken I’s Leadership

When His Holiness Vazken the First was elected in 1955 to head the Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenia was one of the Republics of the Soviet Union. The Cold War was in full swing and the Iron Curtain was more than a convenient metaphor, i.e., it definitely separated East from West physically and psychologically. The notion of a Church – a sacred and established religious institution—surviving in a system which preached atheism sounded absurd to many. But there, in the shadow of Biblical Mt. Ararat and in the place where Jesus Christ descended to mark the spot where the first Christian Nation would build the first cathedral, the Armenian Church was being driven by the power of the Holy Spirit. And… it was being done so in full view of the Soviet authorities.

During the 39 years that followed, Catholicos Vazken led the Armenian Church with wisdom and divine grace against the internal and external threats that were beating on an already fragile Church. In 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the proclamation of Armenian Independence, the first papers of citizenship, most deserving, were given to this Venerable Patriarch. He had overcome obstacles, met challenges, delivered the Church to the doorsteps of the new millennium and in so doing, managed to inspire generations of us.

During his years as Catholicos, to many of us living in the United States – as well as in most parts of the Diaspora – His Holiness Vazken I was the embodiment of the Armenian Church. His Holiness expressed himself about the Diaspora while Independence was only a dream and a hope, while Glasnost and Perestroika were yet to enter the Western lexicon by Soviet Leader Gorbachev.

… Destiny has thrust upon us the diaspora – a challenge which we must confront with courage and honor, structuring our life on a firm and enduring foundation of today, tomorrow… the strongest, the safest and the most reliable foundation upon which the structure of the entire Diaspora can be built today is and always will be the Armenian Apostolic Church – our Mother Church. (Paris, 1979)

If ever there is an overt display of the Holy Spirit guiding the Holy Church, it was during the pontificate of His Holiness Vazken I. He led the Church during the Cold War. He was attacked by atheist ideologies from the outside. From the inside, party factions and the ugliness of divisiveness ate away at him. The church was being played as a pawn in a game but he met each challenge with love in his heart – love toward God and toward every one of his children in the Armenian nation. Without discrimination he cared about all of his children. As he ascended to the Apostolic Seat of St. Thaddeus and the Holy Throne of St. Gregory the Illuminator he kept firm to his Faith and his calling. He led with courage and valor.

For all of his diplomatic means and harsh climate in which he led, he articulated the primary goal of the Armenian Church simply as, “is to be the true messenger of the Gospel and to herald the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Armenian people.” He did not compromise himself nor his principles.

We began this week with the celebration of Rev. King’s life and looked at the leadership models of different clergymen. Today we add Vazken I to these extraordinary people who were charged with guiding the Church, and did so by staying focused and faithful to the principles of their Faith.

We leave today with the first prayer of the day from Psalm 50: O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. Amen.

Gregory’s Chain of Oppression

Armodoxy for Today: Chains that oppress

At my first parish in the town of Cupertino, we embarked on a large-scale building project which included the construction of an Armenian Church in traditional Armenian architecture along with a social hall and classrooms. We started the project on faith. It was the mid-1980s and interest rates were high – that we expected. But in 1988, the unexpected happened. A large earthquake in Armenia, killing 50,000 people caused us to stop our building process to lead the massive diasporan fund raising effort to bring humanitarian aid to the devastated region. The following year, when the Loma-Prieta earthquake hit our area in Northern California, we had to put a halt on the building process as structural regulations were being redefined. It was tough maintaining a congregation in rented halls, while the building process was at a stand-still, and all the while we continued making mortgage payments.

I went to the hardware store and bought several feet of a narrow chain and cut it into small six-inch lengths. On Sunday I passed these out to the congregation and asked them carry them around with them – in their purses or pockets – as a reminder of the bondage we were in because of our debt. As we pay for items, when we reach into our pocket or pocketbook, let us be mindful that as a community we are struggling. The chains were effective, and we were able to finish the project and gained occupancy of our church.

The idea of the chains was not my own. I explained to the congregation that a Bishop named Gregory, in the 18th century, as the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, took a large chain and wrapped it around his neck as a symbol of the bonds that held him back. He was faced with a huge dept and oppressors who were trying to force the hand of the Patriarchate for a hostile takeover. He wore that chain for eight years, to keep the plight of the Patriarchate ever-before the eyes and mind of the community. He was known as Gregor Sh’ghtayakir = Gregory the Chain-bearer and was responsible for saving the Patriarchate.

This week, with Martin Luther King, Khrimian Hayrik and now the example of Bishop Gregory, we have looked at religious leaders – clergy – who have led their people to freedom from the bonds that oppress them. In each case, these leaders tapped into the creative energy with which they were endowed. They used that creativity, whether by words, deeds or example, to inspire people to action, to move from oppression and submission to freedom. Like all good parents, they set the tone, share the message and give freedom to become free. It’s the same way Jesus taught, and therefore, how he led.

We pray from Rev. King’s prayers, The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee. The Lord lift up the light of His countenance unto thee and be with thee in thy going out and coming in, in thy labor and in thy leisure, in thy moments of joy and in thy moments of sorrow, until the day when there shall be no sunset and no dawning.

Presumption of Coincidence

Next Step #592: From Nebraska to Sasnashen the path and trail of a blessing. Optimism vs leadership: Vazken I and clergy greats of the 20th century. Noah, Hayk and his granddaughter. McCarthyism and the Presumption of Innocence. Opportunity missed: Aurora, prejudice, blessing vs coincidence.
Ginger Baker “I Lu Kron”
Sasnashen Update
Conference on 20th Century Clergy
Fr. Zaven Arzoumian on Vazken I (book download)
Ginger Baker drumming video
Miss Nebraska Lex Najarian
Cover: Armenian Lady Bug Found, 2019 Fr. Vazken
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for http://InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!