Tag Archive for: Nationalism

Adding a Simple Prayer to His

Armodoxy for Today: Adding a Simple Prayer to His

Pope Leo XIV offered his first blessing and prayer as the head of the Roman  Catholic  Church, to thousands assembled at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican yesterday, as millions more throughout the world watched and received the blessing virtually. Indeed, it was an emotional moment for the Pontiff as he transitioned from Cardinal Robert Prevost to head the 1.3 billion member Roman Catholic Church. Even from a distance, watching on screens and phones in different parts of the world, Catholics, believers, and even non-believers were visibly moved as many understood the gravity of the event.

Interesting to me was how quickly and readily the term “American” was volleyed around in the media, conveniently forgetting that the previous pope, Francis, of blessed memory, also came from the Americas. But, homeland is a major factor in defining and giving identity to an individual. Think of some of the first-day discussion that consumed news outlets when they discovered Pope Leo was from the City of Chicago: Was he a Cubs’ fan or a White Sox fan? Perhaps, excitement for geographic identity provides a good explanation as to why churches, which are united in their belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, are separated along ethnic and national lines, whether we’re talking about the Armenian Church, the Roman Catholic Church, or the Greek, Bulgarian, Georgian, Russian Orthodox, and even the American congregations of Presbyterian and Methodists. There is of course the AME, the African Methodist Church and of course, the Church of England. Often, the Christ, the center of Christianity, is lost in some of the traditions that align us with national preservation. Bishop Daniel Findikyan, of Holy Etchmiadzin, talks extensively about this in his book, Building up the Body of Christ. And musician John Lennon, as a dreamer points to the grave dangers of the consequence of national pride, when he asks us to “Imagine there’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for and no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace…”

With that in mind, we turn to the first words of Pope Leo XIV, in his message. “Peace be with all of you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for God’s flock. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your heart, to reach your families, to all people, wherever they are, to all peoples, to the whole earth. Peace be with you!

To his prayer, tonight, we add most appropriately, Amen.

Evolving to 97.5

Next Step #609: After the impeachment trial in the US and our drift from Globalism. Church and State is blurred in Orthodoxy as we deal with Church and Ethnicity. A Handmaid’s Tale: Possibilities from Sci-fi to reality. Fr. Vazken speaks candidly about the dilemma facing the Armenian Church in particular and ‘Ethnic’ churches in general as churches celebrate nationalism. A loss for globalism and interrelations. Evolution happens: changes to body temperature is a new reading of Lewis Carroll’s “The Walrus and the Carpenter”. Annual Superbowl reflection: 1/2 a minute is MORE than the budget of all the Armenian Churches and traveling at the speed of light. Ground Hog Day and basic church economics: Learning from the Dishonest Servant
Michael Gulezian
Body Temperature changes
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Christmas sermon 1967
Handmaid’s Tale
Senator Romney’s speech
Walrus and the Carpenter
Lewis Carroll
Dyaruntarch
Luke 2
WD-168 This week
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

Between A & B

Next Step #364: The Pentecost “business” model explored. Nationalism within the ethnic church in the diaspora; Finding the means and tools to accomplish your mission and the build-up of infrastructure. What’s next in life? — a story that helps find the find.
Song – Karen Margaryan’s “Two Pianos
In His Shoes YouTube Channel
What Color is Your Parachute?
Our feed has moved! Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email to continue receiving notifications when new episodes are published.
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!