Thanksgiving Meal: Icon of the Holy Eucharist

Well he promised and now he delivered! Fr. Vazken presents herein the holistic religion: Armenian Orthodoxy. And the Thanksgiving meal serves as the icon for this holistic expression. This is one of Fr. Vazken's fundamental teaching points and a must-listen for the neophyte as well as the veteran. This also sets the tone for the season of Advent - the 50 day period leading to Christmas. And Fr. Vazken extends another promise -follow the journey of Advent with us and Christmas will never have the same meaning. You'll understand it not as event in First Century Bethlehem, but as the essential event leading to the ultimate expressions of love. In this episode of the Next Step, you'll learn of the incredible similarities between grandma's house (over the river and through the woods) and God's everlasting table.

New music from Gor Mkhitarian titled, “Snow” from the upcoming Spirit album as well as a track from Mariam Matossian’s In the Light album titled “Oosdi Gookas”. The Christmas concert is less than a month away. Tickets available from ItsMySeat.com

No Thanks to Cults: Religion Gone Wrong

Thanksgiving, Cults, Religion gone bad and much more. As Mr. Potter gives the secrets to financial success in this market, Fr. Vazken instructs about thanksgiving. It is the cornerstone of the faith and the key to lasting love. In this remarkable podcast, you are taken on a journey that will conclude next week at Thanksgiving. Quality may preempt quantity, but it doesn’t escape the site of this commentary. A wide variety of topics are discussed, Pope Benedict XVI makes it on board the Cast and Prop 8 is not exempt. Cults and Koolaid® are remembered on this 30th anniversary of the Jonestown massacre. Why do cults make it? You’ll be surprised by the answer Fr. Vazken gives.

A new song by Gor Mkhitarian in preparation for the December 18 concert. It all comes together on this Next Step.

Giving a Thanks Blessing

Stuffed Turkey, dressing and… Mother Goose? Not quite, but there is so much more to the holiday than the culinary delights that have … how do you say? Given us that je ne sais quoi satisfaction of the the salivary glands. It's certainly not the addition of pilaf to the Thanksgiving menu that makes Thanksgiving come alive in the Armenian Orthodox tradition. Just like other feasts on our church calendar that give us opportunities to live out the message of Christ, Thanksgiving allows us to acknowledge that there’s something greater than ourselves. Fr. Vazken take the next step toward defining the richness of the Thanksgiving experience by poking at the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18) and challenging listeners to give a thanks-blessing.

Featured songs: Mariam Matossian’s “Arev Arev” from In the Light album and Gor Mkitarian’s "Blessing" (Orhnutyun) from the not-yet-released Spirit album. On December 18, In His Shoes will proudly present Gor’s “Spirit” CD Release Concert at Zipper Hall with opening performance by Mariam Matossian. Tickets available online: ItsMySeat.com

Small Steps Lead to Big Dreams

Barack Obama is President! A dream comes true. Mines explode in Karabagh ending the dreams of others. Fr. Vazken returns from the Obama campaign trail in Las Vegas and talks about the enduring power of dreams. Jesus tell us, "I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24 Through this sacrifice it produces much, transforming into something greater. What are the sacrifices made by people in our past? Why did the good die young? “Abraham, Martin and John,” by Dion is featured in this podcast. Also, a special interview with Gala Danivola, Program Coordinator in Nagorno Karabagh for The HALO Trust, an organization dedicated to removing landmines and other unexploded ammunitions from former conflict zones, talks about their work.