Entries by stjohn

THE EASTER MESSAGE OF BISHOP MESROP PARSAMYAN

On the first Easter morning, the women who cared for Jesus made their way to His tomb: a tomb cut into rock, with a great stone sealing its entrance. Their hearts on that morning were heavy with grief. The tears they had shed on Good Friday were not yet dried. The pain of loss, the ache of disappointment, the crushing weight of despair: it all weighed on them like a great stone, pressing down on their hearts. And as they walked, they asked a question that many of us have asked in our own lives: Who will remove the stone?

That stone represented finality. It marked the end of Jesus’ story—or so it seemed. He who had healed the sick, who had opened blind eyes, who had spoken words of Life—He was gone. The One who had lifted burdens was now sealed behind a burden too heavy to move.

DEATH OF ALEXANDER MANTASHIANTS

Alexander Mantashiants was a prominent oil magnate of Baku who was also well known for his philanthropy.

Born in Tiflis on March 3, 1842, Mantashiants spent most of his childhood in Tabriz (northern Iran), where his father was involved in the cotton and textile trade. From early on, he joined his father in business. In 1869, he moved to Manchester, a major textile center, from where he helped ship goods to his father in Tabriz. His sojourn helped him learn the secrets and crafts of the textile industry, as well as the intricacies of European business and English culture, while he learned English, French, and German.

In 1872, Mantashiants returned to Tiflis with his father, where they became fully engaged in …

WORSHIP THAT HEAVEN REMEMBERS

Today is Great, and Holy Wednesday and the Church gives us a powerful contrast to reflect on. On one side, we see Judas, one of the twelve, handpicked by Jesus. He had seen miracles, walked alongside the Messiah, heard the greatest sermons ever preached. But instead of offering his heart, he offered betrayal—for thirty pieces of silver.

And on the other side…there’s a woman. Her name isn’t even mentioned. She’s not famous. She doesn’t have a title. But what she does is unforgettable. She brings an alabaster jar of expensive oil. And without hesitation, she broke it open and poured it out on the head of Jesus and in that one bold act of worship, she honors the Savior of the world.

OPEN THE DOOR

Today, we celebrate Palm Sunday, the triumphal entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. We’ve walked through the 40 days of Lent praying, fasting, and reflecting, and now we stand at the gateway to Holy Week.

In the Armenian Church, we mark this day with a deeply symbolic service called “The Opening of the Doors.” At the end of Badarak, the priest knocks on the church door, and people sing together: “Open to us, O Lord, the door of Your mercy, and make us worthy to enter the dwellings of Your light.”

DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?

Today is Lazarus Saturday, a powerful day in our church calendar that reminds us of one of the greatest miracles in Scripture. A day when Jesus didn’t just speak about life, but He proved He had the power to bring it. He called Lazarus who had been dead four days out of a tomb, and that man walked out fully alive.

But before that miracle ever happened, something else had to take place. Jesus looked at Martha, Lazarus’ sister, and said these words: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” Then He asked her a question: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:25).

BIRTH OF MGRDICH SANASARIAN

Mgrdich Sanasarian was a benefactor of Armenian causes who played an important role in educational and cultural undertakings during the second half of the nineteenth century.

He was born on April 10, 1818, in Tiflis (Tbilisi), to a family originally from Van. He was an elder first cousin of Grigor Artzruni, the famous Eastern Armenian journalist.

Sanasarian studied in the Nersisian School of Tiflis, which had his maternal grandfather as one of its founders. He served in the Russian army (1835-1845) and was decorated with the medal of St. George. In 1849 he started working at the “Caucasus and Mercurius” shipping company, and became a member of its board of directors in 1864.

ANOINTED FOR PEACE

For years, I thought that verse from the famous psalm was just beautiful poetry—David’s way of saying God was keeping him healthy, maybe keeping his mind strong. But I didn’t realize just how powerful that imagery is—until I learned what David, the shepherd boy-turned-king, was really pointing to.

In the Middle East, shepherds would take special care of their sheep. Because out in those dry fields and rocky hills, the danger wasn’t always a wolf or a lion. Sometimes, the greatest torment came from the smallest enemies—flies.

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS

On Saturday before Palm Sunday the Armenian Orthodox Church commemorates the Raising of Lazarus as told in the Gospel of John, Chapter 11. Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha were good friends of Jesus.

SECOND WIND

When I was a teenager, I practiced judo, and part of our training included running. There were times when I would run and run, and suddenly, I felt like I couldn’t take another step. My legs were heavy, my lungs were burning, and my body was shouting at me, “That’s it. You’re done.”

And yet, if I kept going just a little longer, something amazing would happen. I would catch my second wind. Suddenly, the exhaustion lifted, my strength returned, and I felt like I could run forever!