Entries by stjohn

BIRTH OF CHARLES ATAMIAN

Charles Garabed Atamian was born on September 18, 1872, in Constantinople. He completed his early education at the Mekhitarist School in the district of Pera (now Beyoglu) and then attended the Lycée de Saint-Benoit, a French school. He continued his education at the Moorat-Raphaël College of the Mekhitarist Congregation (Venice) between 1887 and 1893. He studied for a short while at the Academy of Fine Arts in the Italian city, but then returned to Constantinople and worked at …

REMEMBERING 9/11

On this day, September 11, my thoughts naturally drift back to where I was years ago—within the walls of Sevan Seminary in Armenia. It was a place where I was surrounded by the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and a deeper understanding of God. Yet, as news broke of the horrifying events, a silence that was unlike any other fell over us. The contrast between our peaceful environment and the chaos unfolding in the world was jarring.

EPHPHATHA: A SPIRITUAL ROADMAP

In the Gospel of Mark 7:34, Lord Jesus performs a miraculous healing; He heals a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. This miracle is more than an episode of history frozen in time. For us, as Christians, it is an invitation to a spiritual life, an entire roadmap pointing us toward the sacred journey we’re all meant to undertake. Let’s explore this invitation, this spiritual program, step by step together.

BIRTH OF CLARENCE USSHER

American physician and missionary Clarence Ussher was an eyewitness of the Armenian self-defense of Van and author of one of the most important testimonies about the Turkish attack and the massacre of tens of thousands of Armenians in the Van region. He was born on September 9, 1870, in Aurora, Illinois. His father was posted to Montreal as a bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church and eventually moved with the family to Canada.

HONORING THE BIRTH OF MARY

We remember the birthdays of those who are significant in our lives. We also remember the birthdays of significant people in our spiritual lives. The most crucial figure for Christians is undoubtedly our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birth we commemorate on Christmas Day.
Next in importance to Jesus in the spiritual lives of many Christians is Mary, His mother. While we can’t ascertain her exact birth date, September 8th is traditionally the day to celebrate her birth.

FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE

There are moments in life when it feels as though nothing will ever be the same again. One might feel shattered, too afraid to even hold on to hope. While we may intellectually understand that brighter days will come, our overwhelming despair makes it nearly impossible to move beyond our grief and sorrow. In such times, the music of the soul ceases, and the heart loses its joy.

The Prophet Jeremiah encapsulated such despair in his book of “Lamentations,” a collection of sorrowful songs dedicated to Jerusalem after its destruction by the Babylonians. While acknowledging God’s power and justice, Jeremiah …v

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE HOLY MOTHER

On Friday, September 8, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God. The birth of the Holy Mother is not recorded in the Bible; the account of this event comes to us from …

PEOPLE LOOK AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART

Our society is increasingly obsessed with external appearances. While luxury gym memberships, specialized diets, and plastic surgery may all have their place, they are often disproportionately valued. Every year, billions are spent in the industries of beauty and fitness. Don’t get me wrong: a healthy lifestyle and natural beauty are certainly gifts to be cherished. However, it’s worth examining the focus and priorities we set in our lives.

DEATH OF LEVON MELIKSET-BEK

Melikset-Bek was born in Tiflis (nowadays Tbilisi) on September 14, 1890. After two years of private learning, he went to the Royal School of Tiflis from 1899 to 1908. He graduated from the School of Law of the University of Odessa in 1913, where he also followed courses of History and Philology. He was interested in archaeology and traveled to various Armenian communities of Russia to that end. In 1914 he was elected corresponding member of the Society of History and Antiquities of Odessa.

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE LORD

Today marks a very special day for me; it’s been 20 years since I was ordained as a celibate priest at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
As I stand here today, back in the spiritual cradle of our ancient and beautiful Armenian Church, I’m filled with gratitude, awe, and a sense of wonder at the journey God has laid out for me.
My heart swells when I think back to the young man I was, taking my vows on this hallowed ground, entirely unaware of the incredible tapestry God would weave through my ministry.