Entries by stjohn

THE RIM OF THE SUNRISE

There is a town in the far north of Norway where, every January 18, after months of darkness, the people gather on a hill. They stand together in the cold, straining their eyes toward the horizon. At first, all they see is a little rim of light, just a small sliver on the horizon. But as they look at that little glimmer of light, their hearts fill with joy. Why? Because they know that it’s only the beginning. In the days to come, the sun will rise higher and brighter, bathing their world in warmth and light once again.

Isn’t that a picture of how God works in our lives? Sometimes, all we see is the faintest glimmer of hope, a small rim of His promises beginning to break through the darkness. You’ve been praying for peace in your family, healing in your body, or a breakthrough in your career, and it feels like it’s been nighttime for so long. And it feels like nothing is changing.

THE CHRISTMAS DATE DILEMMA

For those who observe Christmas on January 6, particularly in the West, it can feel disheartening to see festive decorations, events, and celebrations leading up to December 25 while they patiently await their own celebration. By the time their Holy Nativity arrives, most decorations have already been taken down, and the holiday excitement has faded.

Additionally, many Armenians find themselves unsure whether to extend Christmas greetings and say “Merry Christmas” when, according to the Armenian calendar, Jesus has not yet been born. This seasonal dilemma can be quite confusing. Despite this, I know many Armenian Orthodox families who faithfully celebrate the Holy Nativity on January 6 but still gather with friends and loved ones on December 25 to partake in the broader holiday spirit.

THE STORY BEHIND PRAYING HANDS

Have you ever seen Albrecht Dürer’s Praying Hands? This iconic artwork is everywhere—adorning churches, homes, and postcards. We’ve admired its beauty, the delicate lines, the reverence it captures. But there’s a story behind those hands that will move your heart and inspire your faith.

Albrecht Dürer and his brother Albert shared a dream: to attend art school in Nuremberg. However, their family couldn’t afford to send both. So, the brothers came up with a plan. Albrecht would go first, while Albert labored in the mines to support him. Once Albrecht completed his studies, they would switch—Albert would pursue his dream, and Albrecht would work to fund it.

BIRTH OF HRATCH ZARTARIAN

Hrach Zartarian was one of the important yet lesser-known names of French Armenian literature in the past century.

He was born in Kharpert on January 15, 1897. He was the elder son of Rupen Zartarian (1874–1915), the talented writer and journalist who was among the first intellectual victims of the Armenian Genocide. He went from place to place in his childhood, following his father’s steps as teacher, activist, and editor, from Kharpert to Smyrna, Manisa, Plovdiv (Bulgaria), and Constantinople. He received his education at the famed Sanasarian School of Karin (Erzerum), where he was a boarding student for three years. After the school was moved to Sepastia (Sivas), Hrach Zartarian returned to Constantinople and studied at Getronagan School.

FEAST OF THE NAMING OF THE LORD

Every January 13, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Naming of our Lord Jesus Christ, in accordance with the Hebrew custom. The commemoration of this event (see Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:30-32; Luke 2:21) comes seven days after the Feast of Theophany, which is the eighth day of the octave of Theophany. This event of the naming and circumcision of our Lord resulted …

FINDING HOPE AMID THE FLAMES

Our hearts are heavy as we watch the flames spread across the Greater Los Angeles area. Many of you are living through this nightmare – watching your homes, your communities, and even your dreams face the threat of destruction. Friends, we are praying for you. We’re praying for God’s protection over you, your families, and the brave firefighters working tirelessly to save lives and property.

I know it’s hard to see hope when the sky is filled with smoke and the fire seems unrelenting. But I want to remind you today of a powerful truth: even in the midst of the fire, God is still with you. Our God is a God of restoration, a God who turns mourning into joy, despair into praise, and ashes into beauty.

WHEN GOD CALLS

In 1995, I was just a teenager with a dream, a deep calling to serve the Lord. That calling led me to consider studying at the Gevorkian Theological Seminary. But my qualifications were less than impressive. My grades weren’t great. My teachers didn’t hold back—they laughed and said, “You? Seminary? You’re not cut out for this.” Even family members gently suggested it might not be the right path for me.

While others doubted me, my parents believed in me. My church community encouraged me. They saw a spark of faith and a willingness to serve where others saw shortcomings. Above all, God believed in me, planting the seed of hope that would guide me forward.

SEEING BEAUTY IN THE MESS

Years ago, a dear friend shared a story that stayed with me. He said one day, I came home to find my kitchen turned upside down. It was a disaster—bowls, utensils, flour on the counters, chocolate smears on the walls. I wasn’t happy. But then, something caught my eye. Right there on the table was a little note, written with clumsy letters and smeared with chocolate fingerprints. It said, “I’m makin’ sumthin’ 4 you, Dad. Your Angel.” At that moment, my frustration melted away. My perspective shifted. The mess didn’t disappear, but it no longer bothered me because I saw my little girl’s love shining through it. She was creating something for me.”

Friends, that’s how our Heavenly Father sees us, and it’s how we can learn to see Him in the midst of life’s challenges. When we look at our lives, we might see the mess—the struggles, the challenges, the imperfections. But God sees the love. He sees His children striving, creating, and offering themselves to Him. He sees His image reflected in us, even through the smudges and imperfections. And He delights in what we’re making for Him because it’s done in love.

ST. JOHN CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS TWICE

St. John the Baptist Armenian Church was active throughout the holiday season in 2024-25. On December 22, a celebration of Western Christmas was added after Badarak [Liturgy] with the congregation singing familiar carols such as “Silent Night” and “We Three Kings”, interspersed with reading of the Christmas story. Santa (Mark Strong) visited the Culture Hall during lunch, bringing presents for the children.

On January 5, Armenian Christmas was observed with the traditional Blessing of the Water service conducted by Rev. Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan and St. John’s former pastor, Rev. Fr. Nareg Keutelian. Arthur Spice was godfather of the cross and helped dispense the holy water to worshippers. In his Christmas sermon, Der Guregh explored the idea of the creator of the universe making himself known to humanity

IN TRUTH AND LOVE

“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.” (2 John 1:3-4)

These words from the Apostle John are a profound reminder of how God’s gifts flow into our lives—not randomly, but through the beautiful harmony of truth and love. The Apostle John repeats these two words together throughout his letter, and it’s not by chance. Truth and love are meant to go hand in hand.

Truth by itself can be a heavy burden. It shines a light on what is wrong, what is broken, but without love, that light can feel blinding, even harsh. Love, on the other hand, is tender and comforting, but if it isn’t grounded in truth, it can lead us astray or leave us feeling shallow and unfulfilled.