Business as Usual? Or Just the Plan?

Next Step #277: A first look at the Bishop's Synod in Etchmiadzin, along with background info on the catholicoi at the dias. A special treat for listeners with a uncovered gift to celebrate Fr. Vazken's anniversary. The evolution and synthesis of Armenian and Orthodoxy toward Armodoxy, in this edition. To be continued...
Song: "Life's a Long Song" by Jethro Tull 
Compass #7-SE (to claim "gift" press on the "Special Edition" tag)
Bishop's Synod - Message of Catholicos Karekin II and Catholicos Aram I
Pictures from Bishop's Synod
Pope Francis Interview, "America" Magazine
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Missing from the Nicene Creed

Next Step #270: Discovering a missing element from the Nicene Creed. Is there more than the Father, Son, Holy Spirit and the Church? Listen in as Fr. Vazken finds the missing piece to the puzzle of Orthodoxy and Armodoxy. Balancing the roller-coasters of life - the cries and laughs - with a hug-proposal - how about a week long hug-fest? Beginning the 100th Anniversary Commemoration of the Genocide with some sanity. Also: In what language do you think? A look from the ghetto.
Song: Khatchadour Avetissian "Djermag Aghavnie" - White Dove
100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Monument Groundbreaking speech by Fr. Vazken
In His Shoes "Leveraging Love": http://inhisshoes.org
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
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Gateway to the Homeland

Next Step #264: The Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriages - put into perspective, in the context of Orthodoxy and the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Definitions and laws in the Armodox tradition. In this episode, Fr. Vazken discusses issues of homosexual marriages, unions, family, and the horrifying realities experienced through Datev Outreach, namely domestic violence and "unwanted" children. Also - a look at Armenia - as a pilgrim travels on the CYMA program in contrast to a young seminarian in the Soviet State in 1977.
Links...
Suicide-Domestic Violence victim in Armenia
Anush's Pomegranate
Compass with Linda Zadoian
Song: Mariam Matossian's "Hayastani Aghchigner"
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Relevancy for Ethnic Christianity

Next Step #256: The Latino Reformation (Time Magazine) and lessons for Orthodoxy. The ethnic experience - when a minority is the majority-minority, issues of inferiority surface in many ways. Young students (UCSB-ASA) and politics as usual - when they quote MLK and Gandhi without remembering Jesus, a part of the message is lost. Editing: making the Church relevant.
Anush's Pomegrante Seeds: The Hummingbird Feeder
Song: Gospel Harmonettes "Peace in the Valley"
Time Magazine - The Latino Reformation
Next Step with Maida Icliates
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
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Apostolic Tweets: Armenian & Latin

Next Step #247: Pope Benedict XVI's Twitter account puts up a vacancy sign "Sede Vacant" minutes after his last Tweet. Dynamic/Alive -It's all about moving forward. A healthy understanding to the Roman Catholic Church, for the Orthodox Christian - an Armodoxy view. Peter the Rock and the Confessional Rock: Christ the Center. Sunrise "Arevakal" Confession - "The Way, the Truth and the Life, Christ"
Anush's Pomegranate Seeds: "Loving Divorce"
Song: Armenian Public Radio "Retrograde" 
Apostolic Succession in the Armenian Church 
Pope Benedict's Tweets Archived 
Lenten Journey: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com
Sun Sash: http://sunsash.blogspot.com
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Reconciling with the senseless and the unnatural

Next Step #232: An emotional unwinding of ideas at the death of a little girl. Fr. Vazken explores this tragedy from a pastoral standpoint, bringing together Armenian Orthodox themes - Discovery of the Cross and the raising of the sleeping child (Luke 8).  The vastness of the universe and a solar eclipse point to a unique ministry to the childless - a calling NOBODY wants. Wars, genocide, health, this time the page won't turn. Other topics: The success of the Jehovah's Witness. Participating vs. observing - and selling the product. The Supermarket model of Orthodoxy and the need to specialize to survive in the global marketplace of religion. And the child who selected a (Coptic) Pope. 
Song: Paul McCartney's "Calico Skies" 
Selecting the Coptic Pope
Dr. Harry Hagopian on the new Pope
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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The Secret of Armenian Orthodoxy

Next Step #181: A Thanksgiving episode that reveals the 'secret' of Armenian Orthodoxy. A parade opens this message of memories and leads to Thanksgiving "moments." Turning from victim mentality to victor through thanksgiving. A means of survival and growth. A special edition podcast recorded before the dawn.
Thanksgiving with Gabriel in Darfur: Truth Be Damned
Greetings from One Genocide to Another: http://youtu.be/weuwKPjvhu0
Song: "Meeting My Past" by Ara Dinkjian (An Armenian in America)
Thank You Very Much by the Scaffolds
Ani's Bubbles: Thanksgiving Message
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Stuck on the Bridge: When Tools become Toys

Next Step #122: Hypocrisy and khash (patcha) are not for the weak at heart. Orthodoxy is not for saints alone! What happens when our tools turn into toys and we lose sense of purpose in our lives? How to discuss hypocrisy WITHOUT being accused of hypocrisy? Fr. Vazken explores the different dimensions of the Church, giving, forgiving and BECOMING the Body of Christ today. Is there a “LIMIT” to wealth? Bill & Melinda Gates spend their money on charity – and how! John Lennon's legacy further explored and the Highway Patrol 10-4 Parade. Archbishop Kaloustian’s Bridge metaphor. A look at the expanding programming at Epostle.net on the eve of the Las Vegas convocation at Media World Expo (http://www.blogworldexpo.com) 
Song: "Would Jesus Wear a Rolex" by Ray Stevens (Link to Song)
“Image” by John Lennon, performed by John Bayless “Bach on Abbey Road”
Ani's Bubbles: “God's Cake” http://scrubsmag.com/author/AniBurr 
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for http://epostle.net

Armenia to Bedrock - A Lenten Journey

Back from Armenia, Fr. Vazken reflects on the sacredness of the first Christian nation as we take a next step into the Lenten journey. Preparing for Easter requires a regimen of prayer, fasting, and alms-giving. Armenian Orthodoxy writes the prescription for healthy living, including body, mind, and soul. Now, find out if Adam was Fred Flintstone and Eve, Wilma? And what about Adam and Steve as Fr. Vazken bashes religious gay bashers as well as most stereotypes. A great way to start off lent.

Global Perspective with Hratch Tchilingirian looks at the Christian communities spread throughout the Middle East and their mass exodus from this region due to a host of dire internal and external issues.

Spiritual Bubbles with Ani Burr - Part 1 of 6 from St. Nerses Shnorhali's Havadov Khosdovanim (I Confess With Faith)

Musical selection: "Etchmiadzin ee Hore" from the album, Orhnial eh Asdvadz, sung by the seminarians at the Vazkenian Theological Academy of Lake Sevan.

Two Kindred Spirits Separated By Millennia

John the Baptist and Martin Lurther King Jr. are two giants – one a Biblical figure, the other contemporary, yet they serve the same God and the same Lord. What is the legacy left by these ushers of the Way? Fr. Vazken brings together the work and mission that has driven these people to point the way to Christ. They stood up courageously against the power structure, urging peace, justice, and love, even unto death, and thus became martyrs for their unwavering preaching of the Kingdom of God.

Also, a look at the life and ministry of Fr. Mesrob Sarafian, an archpriest of the Armenian Church who went to his eternal rest this week. Notes from Oakland California, including an emotive reading from his funeral rite.

Christmas Eve at the Manger

The “Christmas Eve” edition of the Next Step, explores the scene at the manger as something greater than its historical components. Drawing on the purest concepts of mathematics, Fr. Vazken makes the case that with Jesus, we find the sick, the hungry, the lame and the suffering wrapped in the swaddling cloth. If A=B and B=C then A=C; can we swap variables and find that even peace has a chance! Digging deep – this podcast even addresses the bigger questions – did the manger smell like baby wipes? Interspersed with an assortment of great carols, this is a Christmas Eve treat for everyone – young and old looking for the magic that can come only from God.

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

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.

Vartavar - The Transfiguration Feast

This coming Sunday is referred to as Vartavar; a pagan feast transfigured into a Christian one. So today Fr. Vazken takes the next step to a place called Transfiguration. Jesus’ transfiguration is documented in several of the Gospels including the scene in Matthew 17 where Christ reveals His illumined Divinity. His face shines like the sun and his garments become as white as light. What does all of this mean to us today? How does Pink Floyd figure into this? Do transfigs only grow in California? Tune in to Armenian Orthodoxy. Take the next step!

The Next Step is a New Step

With this premiere broadcast, Fr. Vazken takes the next step in exploring Armenian Orthodoxy. God is experienced as Mystery, deep and inscrutable. Tune in and take this first step with us.