Entries by stjohn

DEATH OF VAHAN BEDELIAN

In 1915, the population of Adana was deported and the Bedelian family reached Aleppo. One of Vahan Bedelian’s friends, who by then was a good violin teacher, arranged a job for him as music and violin teacher at the Aleppo School of Art. With this job, he managed, after considerable difficulties, to obtain a permit from the chief of police to stay in Aleppo with the eleven members of his family.
They stayed there until the end of World War I and returned to Adana when French forces were stationed in Cilicia. Bedelian gave his first concert in 1920. When the French evacuated Cilicia in 1921, he went to Cyprus, where he devoted himself to music and teaching. In 1932 he replaced famous composer and conductor Parsegh Ganachian

OVEN OVER MICROWAVE

We’ve all been there—waiting for a dream to come to pass, a prayer to be answered, a door to open. And if you’re like me, you probably don’t enjoy the waiting. We want things fast, quick, right now. But God doesn’t work on our timetable. He’s not rushed, not stressed. God is never in a hurry, and He’s never late. His timing is always right.

Think about baking a loaf of bread. There’s a process involved. First, you gather the ingredients, mix them together, knead the dough, and then—you wait. You put it in the oven and let the heat do its work. But here’s …

SOUL DETOX

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine recently discovered something fascinating. They found that when we sleep, our brains actually flush out toxins. While we’re resting, brain cells go to work, pumping fluid in and out, removing waste and debris. Isn’t that amazing? God designed your body to cleanse itself while you sleep.

Now, just like your brain needs that deep rest to flush out physical toxins, your soul needs deep spiritual rest to flush out emotional and spiritual toxins—fear, guilt, shame, bitterness, worry. And the way we find that rest is by getting into God’s presence, soaking in His promises, and meditating on His Word.

PLAYFUL PEACE

Did you know that the Armenian word for peace, Khaghaghoutiun [Խաղաղութիւն], which we hear so often during Badarak, comes from the root word khaghal [խաղալ] meaning “to play.” Isn’t that amazing? Peace, at its very core, is tied to this idea of pure, childlike playfulness.

Think about the way children play. They aren’t burdened by yesterday’s worries or tomorrow’s fears. They’re just enjoying the moment —laughing, running, and soaking in every bit of joy life has to offer. And that’s the heart of true peace. It’s a peace that renews your joy, refreshes your soul, and allows you to move through life with a light, playful spirit.

ST. GREGORY’S COMMITMENT TO THE PIT

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the Armenian Church celebrates one of the three days in its liturgical calendar devoted to St. Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of the Armenian Church. The three days are: Entrance into the Pit; Emergence from the Pit; and Discovery of his remains. ..

ST. JOHN MARKS MID-LENT WITH A POTLUCK AND A SPEAKER

The final days before Easter are noted on the calendars of most Christian denominations, but for the Orthodox churches, each of those days is endowed with special meaning.

On Sunday March 31, St. John the Baptist Armenian Church observed mid-Lent (michink) with a potluck of vegan dishes in keeping with Armenian fasting traditions and a talk by Rev. Fr. Panteleimon Dalianis from Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa.

BIRTH OF GREGOIRE ASLAN

French-Armenian actor and musician Grégoire Aslan was a versatile presence in film and TV sets, as well as on the stage.

He was born Krikor Aslanian to an Armenian family in Constantinople on March 28, 1908. They moved to Paris, and he made his professional debut at the age of eighteen as a vocalist, trumpeter and drummer with the dance band of Ray Ventura et ses Collegiens. He then launched an acting career under the name of Coco Aslan and also performed with guitarist Django Reinhardt.

He appeared in more than 110 films and TV roles between 1935 and 1979. His first film appearance, uncredited, was in Marc Didier’s Le Billet de mille (1935). His first credited appearance happened in Feux de joie (1939). During World War II he toured South America with actor Louis Jouvet and eventually started his own theatre troupe. He became a ubiquitous presence in many British and American films, mostly in the role of foreigner – Russian, Frenchman, Italian, German, Albanian, and Middle Easterner – with equal expertise.

PRESS PLAY ON TODAY

Do you remember the cassette tapes? Back in the day, if you wanted to hear your favorite song again, you had to hit the rewind button. And sometimes, if you weren’t careful, you’d go too far back, and then you’d have to fast-forward and try to find the right spot. It wasn’t instant like today’s streaming, you had to be patient.

But do you know what was even worse? When the tape got tangled. You’d take out the cassette, grab a pencil, and start winding it back, trying to fix it. Some of you remember those days! But here’s the thing: life is not a cassette tape. There’s no rewind button to undo the past, no fast-forward to skip ahead to the good parts. All you have is this moment.

BIRTH OF PAUL SAGSOORIAN

Paul Sagsoorian was a familiar presence in the publications of the Armenian American community, especially in the New York area, but also an accomplished illustrator in non-Armenian circles.

He was born in New York on March 26, 1923, to a family from the village of Havav, in the district of Palu (province of Diarbekir–Dikranakerd). He graduated from the US Army’s mapmaking school during his three years of World War II service in the European theater of operations. He received a sharpshooter’s medal during a military trip to Iceland and a good conduct medal while in Europe. He worked on maps for mine-laying in Iceland and their removal in Normandy.

SUNDAY OF THE JUDGE

The Gospel reading for the Sunday is the parable of the Unjust Judge. The judge is seen as hard-hearted and without principles, fear of God, or regard for people. A widow in the same town has been ill-treated and she has come to the judge for justice. Although her cause is just, the judge does not pay attention to her case.