Three Funerals and an Identity

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Next Step #315: From the Next Step archives, “Three Funerals and an Identity” (#48, originally broadcast on May 6, 2009). The collective and past moments in our individual lives has contributed towards our identity. Earlier this year, Fr. Vazken’s trip to Armenia initiated a discussion at Etchmiadzin, the Holy Mother See, about identity. And this week with the passing of three people, Ankine Mouradian, Jora Markarian and Rev. Fr. Vartan Dulgarian, the line is drawn between their lives and ours. Using the metaphor of the onion, we can imagine ourselves as being composed of layers, and each layer around us there for a reason, including the hurts and the pains we’ve lived through. These are the experiences that today give us the strength to reach out to someone else now experiencing the same. What about the purity of the message? Well, time to tune in and find out how to keep it pure.
Ani’s Spiritual Bubbles talks about priorities.
Global Perspective with Hratch Tchilingirian: World Press Freedom Day and the theme of media potential in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and reconciliation to focus on the moral responsibility of reporting the truth.
Musical selection is Melineh Kurdian singing “As Good as You” from her album, From Where You Are.
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Deep Breaths …

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“No Step”

 

I looked out of my window, saw a stencil black, NO STEP. NO STEP.
There were nervous mothers with children crying in the back. NO STEP. NO STEP.
Someone bought me my ticket, now I’m on the wing.
Hope my angels are watching me, do I hear them sing?
NO STEP. NO STEP.
Those afterburners cut in and kicked us high. NO STEP. NO STEP.
The thin air shimmered, the sun cut through and burned my eye. NO STEP. NO STEP.
Someone bought me my ticket, now I’m on the wing.
Hope my angels are watching me, do I hear them sing?
NO STEP. NO STEP.
Give me a jet stream schooner or a crew-legged goose. NO STEP. NO STEP.
I’m a clear-air jockey when they turn me loose. NO STEP. NO STEP.
Someone bought me my ticket to the captain’s seat.
Will the shakes soon leave me, will I find my feet?
NO STEP. NO STEP.
– (Ian Anderson)
—
The words “NO STEP” are stenciled on the wings of planes. I’m assuming the words are on Aeroflot planes as well. Taking some deep breaths on advice of a loved one and looking forward to the deeper ones I can take in the homeland. 
 
Armodoxy has roots: Partly found in the land around Ararat, but the greater part comes from the universe itself. To be connected with the land and culture is necessary to understand. A trip now and then helps. But to be connected with the energy of the universe – to be in the flow – is essential to live. 
 
Deeper breaths….
 
 

 

The Rock & the World Cup

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Next Step #314 – June 12, 2014 

Finishing up the sixth year of broadcasting with a two-step, one back and one forward. Topics: The Rock of Christ, The fallacy of the people-church; Technology changes from the Brick to the Smart phone.
Song: “Shalakho” by Hosharian Brothers
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The Human Condition: Sex, Pentecost & the Church

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Next Step #313 – June 5, 2014

From the death of a young girl on the streets of Glendale, opens a discussion about domestic violence and personal sexual imaging. The Pentecost – the birth of the Christian Church – opens a candid discussion about marketing and selling the Body of Christ. Keeping the message of Christ and salvation real and accelerating the revolution. Continuing on the road to Ascension. Themes in this episode may be disturbing to listeners.
Dr. Maya Angelou: “It’s Sacred: Church”
Slut-Shaming 
One More Important part of Sex
Fr. Vazken’s Blog: http://www.armodoxy.blogspot.com/
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Ascension: Beyond Resurrection via Healing

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Next Step #312 – May 29, 2014

In the continuing quest for relevance in traditional Orthodoxy, Fr. Vazken challenges listeners to find healing in life beyond the message of resurrection. Appealing to the story of Jesus’ Ascension (the feast is today), here is a fresh look at the story found in Matthew 28. Destiny, fortunes, superstitions are discussed in religious folklore. Pope Francis in Jerusalem – the schisms not because of our misunderstanding of God but caused by our misunderstanding of each other.
The “In” in In His Shoes is the operative word and it makes all the difference as the Christian story of salvation. Forgive and forgetting is the difference of resurrection and ascension. Preview to the 100th Anniversary of Commemoration.
Song: “Vijag” by Zulal
“Foreplay” by Boston
Pope Francis in Jerusalem with Patriarch Bartholomew
Pope Francis & Netanyahu
Ascension – Healing
Dr. Harry Hagopian;  MENA Analysis
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Ascension: Full Authority and No Wounds

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Road to Healing: Day #Easter +40

Today is the day of Ascension. It’s the celebration of healing. I never understood it the way I do today.
The celebration of Ascension is 40 days after Easter. Whereas Easter celebrates victory, this feast celebrates the upward movement and healing momentum after the resurrection.
It’s interesting that the Christian story does not end with Resurrection.
The Crucifixion is the ultimate story of betrayal, hurt, pain, suffering and loss. Following the Crucifixion, we find ourselves at the Empty Tomb – a place from which we can look at the Cross and call that day, “Good” Friday. In the context of Resurrection the Crucifixion is done. It’s over. The pain and suffering are finished, conquered and defeated. But the wounds are still there. And that’s why the Christian story does not end with Resurrection.
A week or two following the Resurrection, one of the Disciples of Christ, Thomas, asks to feel the wounds of Christ. The holes in his hands where the nails were driven in were still open, as was the gouge in his side.  Resurrection was a victory over death, but the wounds were still open and had not healed.
At the Ascension, Jesus proclaims “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He ascends to Heaven in full authority. It is to the state of perfection that he ascends. The wounds have been healed!
This is the feast of Ascension – the celebration of healing. It is the celebration of leaving the wounds behind and finding the completeness of life.

Ascension: Full Authority and No Wounds

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Today is the day of Ascension. It’s the celebration of healing. I never understood it the way

I do today.

 
The celebration of Ascension is 40 days after Easter. Whereas Easter celebrates victory, this feast celebrates the upward movement and healing momentum after the resurrection.
It’s interesting that the Christian story does not end with Resurrection.  
 
The Crucifixion is the ultimate story of betrayal, hurt, pain, suffering and loss. Following the Crucifixion, we find ourselves at the Empty Tomb – a place from which we can look at the Cross and call that day, “Good” Friday. In the context of Resurrection the Crucifixion is done. It’s over. The pain and suffering are finished, conquered and defeated. But the wounds are still there. And that’s why the Christian story does not end with Resurrection.
 
A week or two following the Resurrection, one of the Disciples of Christ, Thomas, asks to feel the wounds of Christ. The holes in his hands where the nails were driven in were still open, as was the gouge in his side.  Resurrection was a victory over death, but the wounds were still open and had not healed.
 
At the Ascension, Jesus proclaims “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He ascends to Heaven in full authority. It is to the state of perfection that he ascends. The wounds have been healed!

 

This is the feast of Ascension – the celebration of healing. It is the celebration of leaving the wounds behind and finding the completeness of life.

Women: The Non-Church Issue

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Next Step #311 – May 22, 2014

A candid look at women in the Church, and outside of it. Going beyond the usual arguments, Fr. Vazken suggests we drop the apologies and engage in a new conversation, one of educating around the theme of equality. The Church cannot be limited to experiences in our immediate circumstances, nor can it be limited by the history that excludes one group or type of people from the entire body. Beyond traditional Christian communions, in protestant communities today (2014) the Bible cannot even be taught by women! The Church, as the Body of Christ, needs to be inclusive as is Christ.
Song: Amen Hayr Soorp, Yerevan Women’s Choir of Armenia
Women in the Armenian Church
Should Women teach Men the Bible?
Women’s Suffrage
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When Religion Hits the Off Button

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Next Step #310 – May 14, 2014

Stopping attempted purpose-assassination, Fr. Vazken answers questions about the Holy Badarak and its celebration. Lower the standards or rise to a higher level – that’s his challenge. Why does organized religion opt for the OFF button? What religion can learn from Google business and how Armodoxy offers an ON answer. The movement of time: 1/9 > 1/19 as Varoujan graduates ASU. Moving closer to the launch of the next step.
Song: Shushan Petrosyan “Kez Hamar”
Botanical Evolution
Arizona State University – The Design School
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Walking Against Cancer

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September 22-23 – Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
We’re in it to end it!

On Facebook: Team In Her Shoes
On Twitter: InHisShoes – we’ll be tweeting from the walk
Photo: Ani Burr & Anush Avejic, 2011 Avon Walk >

Message from Fr. Vazken… “Why I’m walking”
I’m committing to walk 39 miles this year. It’s a personal walk for me because cancer almost took away something very precious to me. Eighteen years ago my sister was diagnosed with this disease. My sister is one of the bravest and fiercest people I know. She beat it! She stopped cancer.

But last year, it resurfaced. Eighteen years later cancer was back. And by the Grace of God, she beat it! My precious sister is still with us.

No one should have to go through cancer. It is a dreaded and awful disease. I know, because I’m a survivor myself.

I’m walking to do away with cancer forever. Not for just for 18 years, but forever. I know it’s a tall order. Cancer, especially breast cancer, is a big disease. So I’m starting this walk off with a dream, imagining a world without cancer/without disease. It’s a very big dream, but dreams do come true, when enough people believe in the dream. And so I’m asking you to dream with me. OK? Now, let’s wake up and do something to make it come true.

In September I’ll be walking 39 miles with thousands of others who share the dream. I’ll be walking with my wife, my sisters, and many friends as part of the Team In Her Shoes.

I’m committing to collect $1,800 by September, but I hope to collect more. The money I raise will be managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade to help provide access to care for those that most need it, fund educational programs, and accelerate research into new treatments and potential cures.

You can financially support our Team by making a donation, payable to “Avon Breast Cancer Walk” and mail to St. Peter Armenian Church, 632 W. Stocker St, Glendale, CA 91202 (you may visit my Avon site and donate on the “Donate Now” button if you prefer).

I’m a man of faith. I believe in the power of prayer. If you or a loved one has been hit by cancer, please provide me with their names. I will offer special prayers in preparation for the walk and on the Sunday morning that we are on the walk. Cancer is big. God is bigger. This truth is the first stepping stone in my walk.

Thank you in advance.

Fr. Vazken