Entries by stjohn

THE SERMONS WE DON’T REMEMBER

A man wrote that after 30 years of church and 3,000 sermons, he remembered almost none, questioning their value. Another reader replied, recalling 30 years of meals his wife prepared—he remembered none, yet they nourished him. Likewise, the Word of God strengthens the soul even if we forget details. Just as food sustains the body, Scripture, prayer, and Holy Communion nourish faith. Regular spiritual “meals” shape us, strengthen our hearts, and help us live a spiritually healthy life, even without full memory of each one.

<<ԱՂՕԹՈՂ ՁԵՌՔԵՐԸ>> ՆԿԱՐԻՆ ՊԱՏՄՈՒԹԻՒՆԸ

Albrecht Dürer (Ալպրեխդ) եւ իր եղբայրը՝ Ալպերդը, ունէին նոյն ձգտումը՝ ուսանիլ Նիւրնբերգի արուեստի դպրոցին մէջ։ Սակայն բազմանդամ ընտանիք մը ըլլալով, անոնց հայրը, տնտեսապէս ի վիճակի չէ եղած երկուքը միեւնոյն ժամանակ դպրոց ուղարկելու։ Ուստի, եղբայրները մշակած են ծրագիր մը, ու որոշած որ նախ Ալպրեխտը դպրոց երթար, մինչ Ալպերդը աշխատէր ածուխի հանքերու մէջ՝ իրեն նիւթապէս օժանդակելու համար։ Իսկ երբ Ալպրեխտը աւարտէր իր ուսումը, իրար տեղ փոխանակէին․ Այսպիսով Ալպերդ պիտի հետապնդէր իր երազը, իսկ Ալպրեխտ պիտի աշխատէր անոր ուսման ծախսերը հոգալու համար։

FEAST OF PENTECOST

On Sunday, 24th, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost (Hokekaloust), the descent of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, and the birth of the church. Jesus had commanded the apostles to “Go therefore to all nations and make them my disciples,” (Matthew 28:19).

OBITUARY: JOHN KAISHIAN

John Kaishian, a visionary entrepreneur, devoted family man, and proud Armenian, passed peacefully on May 14, 2026. Born in West Allis, WI, he overcame early health challenges and built a life of innovation and service. He promoted and owned speedways, including Hales Corners Speedway, founded Midwest Bleachers, and developed Crystal Ridge Ski Area. A lifelong member of St. John Armenian Church, he and his wife Lynn generously supported the community. He is survived by Lynn, children, grandchildren, and extended family; preceded by parents, siblings, and children Peter and Kenneth.

ԸՆՏՐԵՑԷ՛Ք ՀԱՒԱՏՔԸ՝ ՎԱԽԻ ՓՈԽԱՐԷՆ

Վախն ու հաւատքը երկուքն ալ կուզեն, որ հաւատանք անտեսանելիին։ Վախը սակայն կը տեսնէ վատագոյնը, իսկ հաւատքը՝ Աստուծոյ լաւագոյնը։ Մովսէսի տասը լրտեսները վախցան հսկաներէն, բայց Յեսուն եւ Քաղերը հաւատքով տեսան յաղթանակը։ Վախը խնդիրը լեռի մը դարձնէ, հաւատքը՝ խոստումը յիշեցնէ։ Վախը կ’ըսէ՝ «Դուն առանձին ես», «Սա վերջն է», «Չկայ ելք», հաւատքը կ’ըսէ՝ «Աստուած հետս է», «Ան ուժս է», «Ան ճամբայ կը բանայ»։ Հետեւաբար․ ընտրեցէ՛ք հաւատքը, աղօթեցէ՛ք, թող վախը կորսնցնէ իր ոյժը, եւ Աստուած գործէ ձեր մէջ։

CHOOSE FAITH OVER FEAR

Fear and faith both ask us to believe in the unseen, but they focus on different outcomes. Fear magnifies obstacles, predicting failure, while faith trusts in God’s promises. In Numbers 13, ten spies saw giants and felt helpless, but Joshua and Caleb saw the same and believed victory was possible. Fear whispers, “You are alone,” “This is the end,” or “There’s no way,” while faith counters, “God is with me,” “He is my strength,” and “He makes a way.” Choose faith, pray instead of worrying, and trust that God is already at work, turning challenges into triumphs.

BIRTH OF NATALIA MEILKIAN

Natalia Melikian (1906–1989), born Natalia Ter Meliksetian, was a pioneering Armenian scientist and professor whose work transformed plant anatomy and physiology in Armenia. A survivor of the Armenian Genocide, she studied biology at Yerevan State University and later conducted doctoral research at Moscow State University. Returning to Yerevan in 1934, she became a leading scholar, researching oil-producing plants and lignin accumulation in plant stalks. Melikian headed YSU’s Department of Plant Anatomy and Physiology, earned numerous state honors, and was named Scientist Emeritus of Armenia in 1967.

WITH YOU ALWAYS

The Ascension of Jesus does not mean He is distant from us. Though Christ rose to the Father forty days after His Resurrection, He promised, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The Lord who reigns in heaven also walks beside us on earth, strengthening us in weakness, hearing our prayers, and bringing peace in uncertain times. When life feels heavy with grief, fear, or unanswered questions, the Ascension reminds us we are never alone. Christ remains near in every struggle, and because He is with us, hope is never lost. The Ascended Lord is with us today, tomorrow, and always.

HISTORIC GALA BANQUET AT MILWAUKEE’S PFISTER HOTEL CELEBRATES FAITH, SERVICE, AND ARMENIAN HERITAGE

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — On May 1, 2026, the Eastern Diocese held a Gala Banquet at The Pfister Hotel, honoring leaders embodying the Armenian Church’s spirit. Ara Cherchian and John Kaishian were named Armenian Church Members of the Year for their transformative service, including St. Vartan Cathedral renovations and hosting Hye Camp. Dr. Robin Darling Young received the Friend of Armenians Award for her scholarship in Armenian theology. Cultural performances enriched the evening, while Bishop Mesrop likened the Church to an inland lighthouse. The Hoan Bridge lit in Armenian colors celebrated heritage, resilience, and hope.

SECOND PALM SUNDAY

The seventh Sunday of Easter is called Second Palm Sunday because of the readings on that day. Beginning with New Sunday and continuing until Pentecost, the Armenian Church reads from the four Gospels every day in their proper order. The sections related to Christ’s entry into Jerusalem coincide with the seventh Sunday of Easter, hence the designation of “Second Palm Sunday.”