The true story of the Sun and the Moon is offered on this day of the full moon and solar flares. The story of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16) sets the tone for a discussion of straddling two worlds – the physical and the spiritual, as Fr. Vazken opens a personal vortex into his ministry. This is a brief look at his own Lenten reflection and introspection. Loneliness and Joni Mitchell’s concert?
Song: Dele Yaman from the Raven CD
I Confess with Faith: www.armenianorthodoxy.org/I_confess_with_Faith.pdf
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/image-2.jpeg7681024Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2012-03-08 16:57:002022-09-03 01:35:33Standing between Two Worlds
Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 4 March 2012
These next three Sundays of Lent are made unusual by the Armenian Church because they highlight characters that are not ordinarily associated with the church or with Christian living. In fact, they are plain and simply, bad character.
Today is called the Sunday of the Prodigal Son (Lk15), next Sunday is the Dishonest Steward (Lk 16) and the Sunday after is the Unrighteous Judge (Lk 17). Imagine that! Christ uses these immoral and horrendous characters to teach us about his Loving Truth!
Perhaps the greatest message we find in these stories is about the trans-forming power of God. That is, if we allow him, God can take each of us, with our faults and frailties and transform us. Christ turned the Prodigal Son, the Steward and the Judge into the heroes of the stories. He is the same Christ who took the words of condemnation “take and eat ” (of the forbidden fruit) and turned them into the words of salvation, “take and eat, this is my body.”
Our Church Fathers designated this period of Lent for self-evaluation. With the messages we receive through our heightened prayer life, our scriptural readings and the Sundays of Lent, we have a golden opportunity to be transformed. Take advantage of this time. It’s an opportunity like no other for renewal and fulfillment in life. -Fr. Vazken
Hear Fr. Vazken’s “Prodigal” message at Youtube.com/armodoxy
The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16) At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/the-prodigal-son-luke-15-20-21-wood-engraving-publshed-1877-184931486-5c5222cc46e0fb000167cc00.jpg14871983Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2012-03-04 11:22:002022-09-23 01:51:07The Three Bad Guys of Lent – “Key” Message on Prodigal
Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 26 February 2012
Home! And this is my room – and you’re all here! And I’m not going to leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all! And — Oh, Auntie Em — there’s no place like home!
At the end of the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy recites these memorable words. She reminds us that there is a very special place in each of our lives where we feel safe. It’s a place where we are loved unconditionally. It’s a place full of warmth and acceptance. It can be called paradise, but even better, its called home.
Welcome to the first official Sunday of Lent. While last week we celebrated “Poon Paregentan” today is called “Expulsion” Sunday—reminding us of lost paradise.
The world and the life that God has created was paradise. It has so much potential, but because of our discontentment we are purged from paradise. We know God gives us paradise, but we choose paths that take us father and father away from home. In Genesis is referred to as the original sin of trying to be like God.
The Lenten period allows us to focus in on paradise lost, to count our blessing, to see what really matters in our lives. In a word, it’s a chance to see that our lives may not be perfect – that they are far from paradise- but that there’s no place like home. -Fr. Vakzen
The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16) At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/e65c3e85-e4ff-40be-af71-8e0f2293fb11.png320250Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2012-02-26 11:29:002022-09-21 01:35:22Returning Home – Lent 2012
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/image-2.jpeg7681024Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2012-02-16 17:09:002022-09-03 01:34:36Bravery like St. Vartan’s
Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 12 February 2012
This coming week, we celebrate two saints who in their lifetime were also friends—St. Vartan and St. Leon. Both were warriors for Christ.
Before entering battle St. Vartan told the Persians, “Our religion is not like a garment that we might change according to the circumstances; it is part and parcel of our bones and blood and personality… We serve you loyally in your army and pay you taxes faithfully if you leave us alone in the matter of religion. If you try to force your will upon us we are ready to suffer and to be tortured and even to die. However, you should know in advance that there is no power on earth which can force us to change our religion because our covenant is not with man but with the Almighty God.”
Today the battle continues. Think of this way: The temptation is all around us to deny our faith. The enemy doesn’t come with a sword or a gun, but by the lure of material wealth, indifference and fads that discount the power of the spirit. This week, as we commemorate Vartanantz, I’m calling on our parishioners to reevaluate their faith and their convictions. Is our faith, merely a garment—a shirt we take off our back—or do we actually live the message of hope and love in Christ Jesus? The Battle of Vartan began in 451 and ultimately, we will be the ones deciding who wins the war. – Fr. Vazken
This message is continued on line youtube.com/armodoxy.
*The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16) At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/aaba648c-09fd-40d3-a184-9995463af61f.png320228Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2012-02-12 16:02:002022-09-21 01:35:44Vartan, a prelude – The “Key” message 2012
Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 5 February 2012
This weekend we remember St. Sarkis, in special commemoration. Our Catholicos has named St. Sarkis as the patron saint of youth.
This famous saint was a captain in the Roman army during the fourth century. When Julian the Apostate became emperor of Rome in 361 AD, he began persecuting Christians. Sarkis and his son Mardiros found refuge in Armenia under the King Tiran. He went on to serve in the Persian army and make many converts to Christianity. But in Persia also, the tide was against him. When he refused worship the gods of the Persian, he was killed along with his son. When 14 of his soldiers tried to bury him, they were also killed for their faith.
Today, as we recount the story of St. Sarkis, we have to lift it beyond a mere lesson in history. The is a story of convictions and beliefs. In fact, today, Christians are being persecuted daily for their beliefs. We may not see the swords of the Romans or the Persians, but the weapons that strike us are just as deadly. We are tempted by materialism, swayed by a general attitude of indifference toward others and find death through our contempt for Christ’s call to Love.
I ask that we take the call of our Catholicos to heart. St. Sarkis gives us an example of conviction, of faith, of discipline and true strength. In a world that teaches otherwise, this saint of the Armenian Church is so wel-come, not only in the lives of our youth but in all of our lives. Keep St. Sarkis alive always in your heart and in your deeds.—Fr. Vazken
This message is continued on line youtube.com/armodoxy.
*The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16) At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/st_sarkis_02.jpg502666Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2012-02-05 16:13:002022-09-23 01:51:36St. Sarkis – The “Key” message
The Church comes alive as it lives its mission in creating awareness for Domestic Violence and a shelter for the abused. Religion meets relevance, as Fr. Vazken takes the discussion from the Groundhog’s Day, to Diaruntarach to purity. Can you preach what you don’t believe? Then, how can Christians light a candle, pray to pictures and close their eyes to abused women and hungry children? Add some dessert to the cafeteria menus of religion in this one. Maternity leave according to the Bible. A farewell to Ken.
Walk for Domestic Violence: http://inhisshoes.org Jesuit College Leader
Song: Rouben Hakhverdian “Poetner yev shuner” (Poets & dogs)
Engineered by Ken T. Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/image-2.jpeg7681024Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2012-02-02 23:17:002022-09-03 01:34:10Purifying the Dogs of Midwinter
Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 29 January 2012
To Heal the Pain and Grow in Love
WALK for Domestic Violence on February 13
In an effort to bring awareness and end the problem of domestic violence, we’re organizing a candlelight march and vigil on Monday, February 13, 2012. Under the auspices of our Primate, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, a task force has been organized and has been actively addressing domestic violence issues within the community for several months.
“The Armenian Church,” said Archbishop Derderian, “must be seen as a compassionate and safe haven for the abused, and at the same time, the Church must educate the com-munity about responsible living, with dignity and respect for all.”
The first activity of the Task Force is a walk and service on the feast of the Dedication of our Lord Jesus Christ (Diaruntarch) on February 13. We will assemble at our parish at 4:00PM and walk to the St. Leon Cathedral (5.5 miles). We will walk under the banner “Violence Hurts; Love Conquers” to bring attention to the problem of domestic violence that often goes unreported because of culturalstigmas. At the cathedral, special prayers and services to bless the families will be offered.
I’m calling upon all of our parishioners, along with their families, to participate. Please check out our web-site for more information. ~ Fr. Vazken
Get the entire story: www.youtube.com/armodoxy
*The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16) At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/unnamed.jpg640480Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2012-01-29 16:36:002022-09-23 01:08:19Domestic Violence Work – The “Key” Message
When the Church turns relevant in the lives of the people it gives concrete means and ways of overcoming difficulties and tragedies. “Peace be with You” in light of terrorism – answers from the monastery. The act of love and care in the Early Church, as expressed in the book of Act. How the Einsteinian equation affects the USC-ASA. The Lost In Space Robot and imagination. Respecting the simple and rejecting the obscene. Introduction to the Presentation of the Lord (Luke 2:22) and the Rally against Domestic Violence. Peace be with You by David Carlson Robot Voice dies
Ani’s Bubble: On Hope and Pediatric Nursing
Song: Datevik’s “Ari Intz”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/image-2.jpeg7681024Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2012-01-26 16:41:002022-09-03 01:33:48A Relevant Church does not Silently Protest
