Entries by stjohn

STEP INTO THE FLOW

I recently came across a quote by French author Hervé Bazin that deeply resonated with me: “It’s not the river that runs, but the water. It’s not time that passes, but us.” Isn’t that powerful? It’s a reminder that life isn’t about watching the clock tick or the days go by. Life is about how we move through time, how we choose to live in the moments God has given us.

The river itself doesn’t move; it’s the water that carries the life, the energy, the purpose. In the same way, it’s not time that changes us—it’s how we move through the moments we’re given. Are we just standing on the banks, watching life pass us by? Or are we stepping into the flow, letting God lead us to where we’re meant to go?

MAKE ROOM FOR THE MIRACLE

“She gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7). The Son of God, the Savior of the world, was about to enter history. The long-awaited Messiah was arriving, and yet, when Mary and Joseph knocked on the innkeeper’s door, the answer was, “No room.”

But that “no” didn’t stop God’s plan. That innkeeper’s refusal didn’t stop Jesus from being born. God’s purposes are going to be fulfilled whether we participate or not. Yet the innkeeper missed out on the greatest blessing of his life. He missed the privilege of housing the Son of God.

HOLY APOSTLE JAMES AND JOHN THE EVANGELIST

On Saturday, December 28, the Armenian Church commemorates the Holy Apostle James and John the Evangelist. Both held prominent positions among the twelve apostles, and they were called “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus (Mark 3:17) probably because they were impetuous and quick tempered as suggested in Luke …

DEATH OF OSIP MANDELSTAM

Osip Mandelstam, one of the foremost Russian poets of the early twentieth century, was also celebrated for his memoirs and his cycle of poems dedicated to Armenia after his trip in 1930.
Mandelstam was born on January 14, 1891, in Warsaw to a wealthy Polish-Jewish family. His father was able to purchase the right to move his family to Saint Petersburg, where only a handful of Jews were allowed to live. In 1900, Mandelstam entered the prestigious Tenishev School. His first poems were published in 1907 in the school’s almanac.

HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL

The Holy Apostles Paul and Peter, were perhaps the two individuals who had the greatest role in the growth and spread of Christianity. Peter was renowned for his oratory skills, and he used his talent to spread the Word. Paul was an oppressor of the early Christians until on the road to Damascus he converted when a brilliant light blinded him and he heard …

THE GREATEST GIFT OF CHRISTMAS

On a crisp Christmas morning, a mother watched with joy as her six-year-old son eagerly unwrapped his gift. All he had asked for was a wheelbarrow, and there it was—bright red, shining under the glow of the Christmas tree. His eyes sparkled with excitement, lighting up the room brighter than any holiday sparkle.

As she prepared Christmas dinner, her son disappeared with his prized gift. Hours passed, and panic gripped her. Searching the house and yard, she found no sign of him. She ran to a pastor friend, pouring out her fears. The priest, full of compassion, offered to accompany her to the police station but suggested a quick stop at the church across the road to pray for the child’s recovery.

THE TRUE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS

There’s a beautiful story about the birth of Jesus, that teaches us an incredible truth about God’s heart. The shepherds came to see the newborn King, bringing their gifts. Some brought fruits of their labor, others brought treasures from their homes. But one shepherd stood off to the side. He was very poor, he didn’t have anything to give. Can you imagine how he must have felt? Embarrassed, overlooked, like he didn’t belong.

But then something amazing happened. Mary, holding Jesus, looked at that shepherd with compassion. She saw his empty hands, and she called him forward, and she placed Jesus into his arms. In that moment, those hands that once seemed so empty became the cradle for the greatest gift in history.

ST. STEPHEN, FIRST DEACON AND FIRST MARTYR

On Tuesday, December 24, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Stephen first deacon and proto-martyr. After Christ’s ascension, the apostles went about spreading the Word. It soon became apparent that more people were needed to serve the growing church community. Seven worthy individuals were called upon to …

BIRTH OF ARSEN DERDERIAN

Arsen Derderian [Terteryan, Soviet spelling] was a prolific literary scholar who dominated the field of Armenian literature in Soviet Armenia until the mid-twentieth century.

He was born on December 22, 1882, in the village of Shosh, near Shushi (Artsakh). He studied at the Seminary of Shushi (1892-1902) and then graduated from the Gevorgian Lyceum of Holy Echmiadzin in 1905. He taught for two years at the Seminary of Shushi and in 1907-1909 he studied at the Psycho-Neurological Institute of St. Petersburg. Afterwards, he shifted to literature and taught history and theory of literature at the Diocesan School of Yerevan in 1909-1920.

DECEMBER IS STEWARDSHIP MONTH AT ST. JOHN

On three Sundays during the month of December, presentations were made after Badarak regarding year two of St. John’s successful stewardship program.

On December 1, Dr. Gary Seabrook spoke of stewardship in terms of “Time, Talent and Treasure.” He focused on Treasure, reviewing St. John’s budget and explaining the parish’s multiple sources of income. In 2024 the largest dollar amount came from the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, followed by proceeds from Milwaukee Armenian Fest, the most profitable year for our festival to date. Running a close third was the money pledged by our members through the stewardship program, trailed by income from sacraments, candles and the Sunday collection plates. Gary noted that since we went to the “Stewardship System” there has been a growth in voting membership and that as of December 1, only a few people hadn’t yet fulfilled their pledges.