Entries by stjohn

THE SEAL OF IDENTITY

We all have something in our lives that reminds us of where we come from. It could be a family heirloom, a tradition passed down through generations, or even a place that holds deep meaning in our hearts. For us, as Armenians, one of the most powerful connections to our history, to our faith, and to our identity is Muron, the blessed oil of the Armenian Church.

Throughout the history of our Church, Muron has symbolized an indelible mark, the seal of the Holy Spirit upon the faithful. Whether at baptism, ordination, or the consecration of churches and paintings, it serves as a reminder of who we are in Christ. It speaks of our belonging to something far greater than ourselves—the Armenian Apostolic Church, the body of believers who share in the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior.

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

“The Light of the World” is the title of a famous picture painted by Holman Hunt in 1853. In this painting, we see Jesus, crowned with thorns, holding a lantern, standing at a closed-door overgrown with grass and vines. It hasn’t been opened in a long time. That door represents the human heart, and the image is inspired by Revelation 3:20, where Jesus says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with me.”

It is said that the artist, having completed the picture, showed it to some friends who praised its merit. One of them pointed out what he thought was a mistake. He said, “You forgot something! There’s no handle on the door.” To which Hunt replied immediately, “You forget—we must open to the light; the handle is on the inside.”

EXALTATION OF THE CROSS CELEBRATED WITH ARMENIA SERVICE PROJECT PROGRAM PRESENTATION

Milwaukee, WI — On Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, Milwaukee Armenians gathered to celebrate one of the major feast days on the Armenian Church calendar, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The ceremonies at St. John the Baptist Armenian Church, Greenfield, included the Blessing of the Four Corners of the World (Antasdan) and the Blessing of the Basil, commemorating the discovery of the True Cross in a field of basil outside of Jerusalem in the year 326. The basil used this year in the service was grown in the parish’s garden.

DEATH OF ARMENAG SHAHMOURADIAN

Armenag Shahmouradian had huge success in Paris as opera singer, but he became more famous as one of the most conspicuous representatives of the musical school founded by Gomidas Vartabed.

He was born on April 7, 1878, in Mush (Western Armenia). His singing talents as a member of the church choir, which he joined at the age of eight, attracted the attention of Bishop Nerses Kharakhanian. The bishop took him under his wing and sent him to the Seminary of the monastery of St. Garabed in Mush to get his education, but the narrow confines of the monastery were not suited for the young boy, who returned home quite soon.

REMEMBERING 9/11

Today is September 11, a day that brings back memories for so many of us. And my thoughts drift back to where I was all those years ago—at Vazgenyan Theological Seminary in Sevan, Armenia. The seminary was a place where we were constantly engaged in the pursuit of spiritual knowledge, constantly seeking a deeper understanding of God. It was a peaceful place, set apart from the noise and chaos of the world.

But on that day, on September 11, 2001, the peace of our sanctuary was shattered by news that seemed unimaginable. We gathered around the TV in shock. Planes crashing into buildings, innocent lives lost, families torn apart. I remember the silence that fell over us when …

NATIVITY OF THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY

Today, we celebrate the Nativity of the Holy Virgin Mary, the Holy Mother-of-God. The story of Mary’s birth is an amazing example of how God can work through impossible situations to bring about His divine plan. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness in our own lives and the importance of trusting Him, even when the odds seem stacked against us.

The parents of Mary, Joachim, and Anna were devout and faithful, but they had a challenge that seemed impossible to overcome—they were childless and had grown old. For years, they had prayed for a child, believing, trusting, holding onto faith—even when it seemed impossible. Year after year, seeing no sign of hope. But they never stopped believing and praying.

UNPLUG TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE

I recently saw a news story about schools banning smartphones, and it got me thinking. These schools recognized that something as small as a phone, which gives us constant access to the world, can also be a huge distraction. It pulls the students away from what really matters—learning, focusing, and connecting with the people right in front of them.

That’s a powerful lesson for all of us in our daily lives. Just like those students, we can easily get distracted by the constant noise around us. We have our phones buzzing, emails coming in, social media pulling us in different directions. It’s easy to get so caught up in the noise that we forget to listen to what truly matters—the still, small voice of God.

WAITING PATIENTLY WITH HOPE

Have you ever heard of the modern-day prayer? It goes this way: “Lord, give me patience, and I want it right now.” Patience is not a virtue our society seems to favor. Few of us like to wait – it reminds us we’re out of control. When we are waiting, it may feel like nothing is happening. Sometimes, when we pray, and the answer doesn’t come right away, we start to wonder, God, are You even listening?

But the Bible tells us that waiting is not wasted time. When we’re waiting, God is working. And patience is not just about waiting. It’s about how we wait. Do we spend that time worrying, getting anxious, pacing the floor? Or do we use that time to deepen our trust, to lean into God, and to grow in faith?

BIRTH OF ARCHBISHOP KHOREN KALFAYAN

Archbishop Khoren Kalfayan, also know by the literary surname of Nar Bey, was a well-known literary and public figure in the second half of the nineteenth century.

He was born in Constantinople on September 6, 1831. Along with his brother Ambrosius Kalfayan, he was sent to the convent of St. Lazarus of the Mekhitarist Congregation of Venice, where he received his education.

THE BEAUTY OF THE HEART

We live in a world that’s obsessed with appearances. Everywhere we turn, society places an immense value on how we look—our bodies, our clothes, the cars we drive, and even the homes we live in. People may judge us by what we wear, how much we’ve achieved, or how we present ourselves.

But God has a different perspective. The Bible tells us about God’s criteria for beauty: “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). It’s easy for people to overlook you, to discount you because you don’t fit their mold. But God sees your heart. He sees you when you choose to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. That’s what matters to God.