Gor is with Us!

Next Step #142: Prelude to the IHS Gathering for Darfur - recording artist Gor Mkhitarian drops in at the studio for an interview - music and humanities, it's all there. Then, a special in-studio session - "Or," "Hrashk" and the "Snow" has never been the same. Father Vazken explains the importance of the moment as Genocide in Darfur escalates in intensity. The victory of Resurrection is at the heart of all of our efforts.
Gor Music: http://gormusic.com
Purchase SPIRIT Album by Gor Mkhitarian
Ani's Bubbles: The Silent Sermon;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Between a Rock and a Soft Place

Next Step #56: When Jesus was asked for a “sign” he offered nothing new. He only pointed to something that was “greater than” the signs. Here’s a casual look at symbols. In the wake of Michael Jackson’s death, Fr. Vazken looks into the ways information was processed, news was gathered, and the tools of technology to make our spirits come alive. The power of music – as expressed through Jackson and a surprisingly similar sound coming from Iran in the quest for freedom. The podcast ends with a special wish to America and the freedom it enjoys on this 233rd anniversary of Independence. Welcome back Gabriel from the Chad desert!

Songs: Sari Siroon Yar by Element Band; Miracles by Gor Mkhitarian
Bubbles with Ani – “The 1000 Mirrors”
The Next Step Theme Song is unveiled (composed and performed by Varoujan Movsesian)

“Circular Breathing”

Next Step #50: Can the discipline of inhaling while exhaling have applications outside of music? The Armenian duduk and the Scottish bagpipe meet each other on common ground. But when Obama goes to Notre Dame, or the Pope goes to Jerusalem, can there be “common ground?” It’s all about the drone that keeps a monotone unchanging intonation throughout a song, a hymn, a chant or the sound of the universe. Today’s message ends with the story of Jesus’ Ascension. While Matthew 28 records the last words of Jesus on Earth, just before Ascending, the call to preach is better defined by His first words, as recorded in Mark 1.
Music: Gor Mkhitarian’s “Yeraz” (Dream)
Ani’s Bubles: “Stone Soup”