Speaking Words of Wisdom

Next Step #271: Fr. Vazken starts this episode by an attempt at myth-busting grape-blessing with the help of old-Iraqis and the folks down-under. Where this podcast ends up is a true reflection of Armodoxy - taking the essence of the Holy Mother of God, St. Mary, and finding a verse of pop culture that focuses on the importance of Saints in our everyday life. Is this a redirection or dismissal of her virginity? You decide. But before you do, listen to the list of names ascribed to St. Mary, from "Antaram" to "Makrouhi" to "Yerjanik" and find a message that talks to you. Also, a look at the Grape Blessing service; the Armenians were sanctifying food before Kosher became a standard. Don't miss this special edition of the Next Step.
Song of the Week: "Birth of a Star" by Torkom Saraydarian 
Source for Torkom Saraydarian's Creative Works 
What's missing from the Nicene Creed? Next Step #270
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

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Productivity and Vine-caretaking

Next Step #166: Exploring further the Mother of God as an expression of connecting to the TRUE vine - John 15 - Productivity by staying connected to the Vine and yielding the Fruit of Love (Finally! Grapeblessing explained). Armodoxy and St. Mary - Bringing women's issues in forum. Archbishop Barkev's Answer: A Koan from Karabakh? Four sisters, Marie, Lusaper, Srpuhi and Diruhi pointing to the Blessed Virgin.  The Institution and the Message - Insuring connections to the Vine.
Petros Malakyan taking Indiana students to Armenia: http://tcarmenia.osmblogs.com/wordpress/
Catholicos Karekin I's statement on women (1995, Beijing): http://www.aiwa-net.org/Karekin.html
Song by Eric Clapton & Pavarotti  "Holy Mother"
Ani's Bubbles "Man from Ick"
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

The Mother of Love: A Different Perspective

Next Step #165: In preparation of the feast of Assumption, Fr. Vazken takes a step toward understanding St. Mary as a model for saying yes to Love. This is more than the story of an angel visiting the Blessed Mother of God, it's about a visit we receive daily to become ambassadors of God's Love in the world. This is prelude to the feast - part one of two. Also - thoughts on self-worth and the plight of women in the world. St. Mary opens a discussion about women's issues that cannot be dismissed by the Christian.
Julia Roberts story
Join us for Prof. Petros Malakyan on the Epostle Ustream channel - August 10; 7:30PST
John Lennon's song
Song by Shoushan Petrossian
Ani's Bubbles "Mary's Letter to Mothers"
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Avoiding Collisions by Melding

Next Step #128: Melding East and West is not a melt-down but certainly avoids the collision; Building identity the Armodoxy way; Jehovah Witness teens come to the door; St. Apkar the first king – a unique name indeed, especially for an Armenian Church – and this weekend is St. Andrew’s feast; The Advent Season is explained as a time of preparation with an “In His Shoes” challenge for listeners. A return from the desert and a different look at St. Mary: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/2009/09/searching-for-veedon-fleece.html
Song: "Yavuz" by Herbie Mann from the “Impressions of the Middle East” album
Ani's Bubbles: “Praise him for your roses and thank him for your thorns” (Pre-Thanksgiving)
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Unique in Every Way

Next Step #113: The War on Terror – does Armenian Orthodoxy have something to offer this war, or is it just about the battles? A look at building a mosque at Ground Zero and Mayor Bloomberg’s comments, “No neighborhood in his city is off limits to God’s love.” Where have we heard that before? Looking at the unique and miraculous events of our life - “The Badarak is a ballet danced with God,” says Fr. Vazken as he focuses on the uniqueness inherent in each person and in our God-relation. “No one has ever gone into heaven” says Jesus and the priest responds, “No one is worthy…” to bring balance to ballet of the Passion Play. St. Mary shares her unique role in history with us.
Song: La Ronde des Lutins, scherzo fantastique for violin & piano, Op. 25, by  Antonio Bazzini; Performed by  Maxim Vengerov (Violin), Itamar Golan [Piano]
Ani’s Bubbles: “The Seven Wonders of the World” (http://scrubsmag.com/author/aniburr/)
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Grapes, Vines and Robustness

The feast of the Assumption of St. Mary - the Holy Mother of God reminds us to be the bearers of Love. Fr. Vazken explores John 15 and Jesus' directive to stay connected to him - the true vine. Also in the broadcast, an update on Ossetia and Darfur. The two songs that are featured in the podcast are Gor Mkhitarian's rendition of Gomidas' "Shogher jan" and Lucine Zakarian singing "Diramayr."
An exploration of Armenian Orthodoxy and the focus on Love.
Recorded on 13 August 2008

St. Mary's Yes

On the Feast of St. Mary, Fr. Vazken explores the concept of "bearing God", that is, giving birth to Love. He challenges the listener to think beyond the cliches of the physical event and see St. Mary as a saint who rose above her humanity by accepting the call of God. This is not your ordinary message about St. Mary being the chosen of God. No, this is about St. Mary taking responsibility for her life and responding with a solid "Yes" to God.


Also, a call to Save Darfur. With the start of the China Olympics on 08/08/08, Fr. Vazken focuses on the necessity to make noise and draw attention to the tragic situation in Darfur. Here is a call to stop Genocide using the means we have, but first and foremost by being educated. In 1915 the world closed its eyes, ears and mouth* to the Armenian Genocide. Here's a true commitment to "Never again!"



Today's songs: "Beautiful Boy" and "Oor Es Mayr Im"
Source: Amnesty Internationals, "Save Darfur" & Ararat Movie Soundtrack.

Recorded August 6, 2008 in Glendale, California

Part 1 of 2 - to be continued next week.

*