Entries by stjohn

WALKING IN HIS STEPS

One chilly evening, a father decided to take a walk to a nearby church. A few moments later, he heard the sound of small footsteps. He turned around, and there was his little boy, following him. The father asked, “How did you find out where I was?” The boy, with a bright smile, answered, “I just followed your steps in the snow.”

Over 2,000 years ago, our Lord Jesus Christ walked on this earth, and His steps left a trail that has changed the world forever. He walked through deserts and hillsides, through crowded cities and quiet gardens, and every step He took was a step of love, compassion, and obedience to God’s will. He showed us how to love the unlovable, how to forgive the unforgivable, and how to reach out to those who are hurting and lost.

GOD’S BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

Recently, I was going through some old files, and I stumbled upon my childhood album—full of pictures from years ago. There were snapshots of family gatherings, school events, special moments with friends, and even some baby photos of me and my brother. Each photo brought back memories, and I found myself smiling, thinking about how God had blessed me over the years. It warmed my heart all over again.

Isn’t it amazing how we hold onto those cherished moments? We capture them, put them in an album, and when we open it, it takes us back. It’s like time-traveling to a place where joy was overflowing, where life felt lighter, where love was all around. In a beautiful way, God also has His own way of treasuring memories.

AVEDIS – THE GOOD NEWS

We live in a world where the news is often dominated by negativity—stories of conflict, division, and despair. Day after day, we hear headlines that make us anxious, sad, or angry. And it’s so easy to get weighed down by it all, to forget about the good news that truly matters.

The Gospel is the best news you will ever hear. It’s a message of hope that can transform lives, heal brokenness, and renew hearts. The Gospel tells us that God loves us, forgives us, and has a plan for us. And no matter how dark things may seem, there is always a light that shines in the darkness, and that light is Jesus Christ.

DRIVEN BY LOVE

One night, a man was driving down a dark, lonely highway. It was late, and there wasn’t a soul in sight. Suddenly, he heard a loud thud. Startled, he pulled over and saw a figure lying by the roadside. He realized he had accidentally struck a hitchhiker who had been standing too close to the road.

In that moment, fear gripped his heart. He wanted to jump into his car and drive away. But then, as he turned to get back into his car, he heard a faint, desperate voice. The injured man whispered, “For the love of God, help me.” The driver resisted his fearful temptation and returned to help.

DEATH OF LUTHER SIMJIAN

Լuther Simjian was born in Aintab (Cilicia) on January 28, 1905. He lost his mother when he was only a few months old; his father later remarried and had two daughters. The family fled to Aleppo during the Genocide and only returned to Aintab in 1920 during the brief French mandate over Cilicia. Simjian’s stepmother and half-sisters were killed in Marash. Eventually he escaped to Beirut and then came to the United States via France at the end of 1920. He first settled in New Haven, Connecticut, where he lived with an uncle and graduated from Booth Preparatory School.

Simjian began working as a technician at the photography lab of the Yale School of Medicine. In 1928 he founded and became the first director of the photography department, which he headed until 1934.

STOP GOING IN CIRCLES

A man who was on a diet decided to pray for guidance. He said, “Lord, if You don’t want me to get donuts this morning, let there be no parking spots in front of the donut shop.” But he had to give in to the donuts because, sure enough, after his 20th time around the block, there was a parking spot right in front of the door.

Isn’t that how we can be sometimes? We pray for direction, for God to help us make the right decisions, but if we’re honest, sometimes we already have our minds made up. We circle the same situations, looking for a way to justify doing what we want, rather than what’s best for us.

COMMEMORATION OF ST. DIONYSIUS OF AREOPAGUS, THE APOSTLES TIMOTHY & TITUS

According to the tradition Dionysius of Areopagus (Areopagite) is the disciple of the Apostle Peter. He is the first Bishop of the newly founded Church of Athens. He has converted to Christianity after listening to the sermon of the Apostle Peter He has witnessed the Assumption of St. Mary, the Holy Mother of God. He has preached the Word of God in Rome, Germany, Spain, Galia (France). He is considered to be the author of many theological works.

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSLATORS

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Translators. When we hear the word “translator,” we might think of someone who takes words from one language and turns them into another, making sure the message is clear. But the work of our Holy Translators goes much deeper than that. It’s not just about words on a page—it’s about taking the living, breathing Word of God and making it come alive, making it real and relevant in the hearts and lives of people.

We remember and honor giants like Sts. Sahag, Mesrop Mashdots, Yeghishé, Movses the Grammarian, and David the Invincible, these heroes from the 5th century who gave us the Armenian alphabet.

BIRTH OF ZAREH KHRAKHOUNI

Zareh Khrakhouni (pen name of Arto Jumbushian) was born in Constantinople on October 16, 1926. After starting his education at Kapamajian School, in 1935 he continued his studies at the Mekhitarian Secondary College of the Viennese Mekhitarists, from which he graduated in 1945. He studied philosophy, law, and literature at Istanbul University, graduating in 1951. He followed a course in literature and art history in Paris.

He published his first poem in 1948. From 1952-1958, he taught philosophy, psychology, and Armenian language at Esayan School in Constantinople. He also taught at the Getronagan Lyceum, where he was also the vice principal.

HOLY MURON: SIGN OF OUR UNION IN CHRIST

Last Friday, [October 4, 2024] I had the great honor of bringing the newly blessed Holy Muron from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to our beloved Eastern Diocese. In a special service at St. Vartan Cathedral, I gathered with our clergy to distribute this sacred anointing oil, which will be shared with parishes across the diocese. This was a powerful reminder of the unity of our worldwide Armenian Church.

Think about this: all the different kinds of perfumes, incenses, and flowers gathered from the four corners of the world in Holy Etchmiadzin, blessed by our Catholicos…