Beneath the Halloween Mask of Life

Boo! This podcast in not designed to scare you, only to make you think. Here's an opportunity to examine the masks we all wear in life. Fr. Vazken carefully removes the layers that guard and protect us and beneath are no monsters but a pure heart given by God. A unique exposé on the Obama/McCain campaigns in light of the faith vote. Armenian Orthodoxy extends to this discussion of Halloween, masks, and fear.

The Poor, the Prisoners, and the Blind

In the Gospel of Luke Jesus says,
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
This week Fr. Vazken explores finding peace in our lives and understanding Christ’s mission. Poverty does not equate having empty pockets, prisoners are not those in jail cells, the blind are not those without eyeballs in their sockets. This is a podcast that sets the cornerstone for all others because it describes the mission of the Christian church and the work of Christians in this world. Take a journey with Fr. Vazken as he reveals the special place this passage holds in his ministry.

An End to Worries

The financial crisis felt around the world is causing anxiety, tension and worries. Where and when will it end? What happens next? All the questions are ripe for the picking, until you connect to the source of our freedom from fear. As Jesus instructs through the Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 6, today’s message is directed to the lack of trust in the financial markets and – shall we say – God? This is a Next Step to spiritual comfort from the “Lilies of the Field” to the “Birds in the Air”, it is a call for complete surrender and trust in God. It’s a challenge that’s presented this time, through the unique view of Armenian Orthodoxy.

Allowing Spiritual Blessings to Dispel Our Fears

Market meltdowns and financial difficulties put us in crisis mode and throw us into a state of fear. How do we get a handle on this fear? How do we cope with the anxiety caused by the current economic crisis? The challenge is to take the emphasis off of the physical, material world, and direct our sights on the spiritual happiness that can be obtained in our lives. Also in this episode is a new prayer celebrating the newly blessed miuron (holy chrism) just delivered to us. The holy miuron allows us to enlighten our senses to touch the Face of God. It’s an opportunity for us to renew our faith and mission. It allows us to connect to something that goes back 2000 years, that is the essence of God, Jesus Christ. We’re called to be a part of this Living Tradition.

Mindless Obsessions vs. Serious Issues

It’s a mashup this week, but not of the digital web application variety! Religion, Politics (yes, we’re in that season), Destiny or Not, and Responsibility are all a part of this episode. And of course this is a podcast on Orthodoxy, so find out how it’s timeless; transcending time and space. The totality of the experience is much greater than its parts. It’s an open invitation to plug in to this experience.