Salty Blessings Abound

Next Step #272: St. Mary's Assumption Feast was truly a 3M-er: Memorable, Mystical and Magical. Fr. Vazken reflects on the feast which included the blessing of the harvest. Linda Zadoian, owner of Madame Kubah (and of Compass fame) joins a candid discussion about blessings and goodness. A small bowl of rice and flavorful conversation add to a mix about faith. Also in the episode: Myth Busting - the truth about grapeblessing service beyond the Northern Hemisphere.
Song: Krisdos ee Mech - New release of Gomidas Badarak by the Western Diocese
Sermon on Assumption
Madame Kubah: http://www.madame-kubah.com/
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

Play Now: 

All Things Blessed and Blessings

Next Step #173: The great "blessing mystery" solved! What is a "Blessing"? Fr. Vazken reveals an answer 29 years in the making. Many blessings - including for water-wells and pre-werewolf adolescents. Exploring the nausea that comes with blessings over childbirth. The piece of sand spins inside this oyster to reveal a blessed pearl! Prayers offered for Abortion and Domestic Violence: applying what we have learned from Christ. Lessons for the Christian Church. Next Step reaches its 6th continent.
Music: "Blessings" by Gor Mkhitarian www.gormusic.com
Ani's Bubbles: May all your prayers be answered
29 Years in the Making: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
 
This Episode is Sponsored by Nicholas & Janine Economides

There's still time to Vote for the Next Step at the 7th Annual Podcast Awards (http://www.podcastawards.com/) in the category "Religious Inspiration"
Nominations close September 30, 2011.  Please get your votes in!
URL for Next Step nomination: http://www.blubrry.com/nextstep

Giving Thanks for Blessings

Next Step #77: The Thanksgiving and Advent edition of the Next Step. As we wrap up our third season, a time to reflect on the meaning of thanksgiving, while looking at the meaning and purpose of Advent. It's about getting ready, it's about facing the message of Love at Christmas.
Song of the Day - "Blessings" by Gor Mkhitarian
Ani's Bubbles: A Thanksgiving Prayer
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net
Sponsored by PredatorCycling.com

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

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.