Today, we stand united, hearts intertwined, as we remember the sacred memory of our Holy Martyrs, the brave souls of the Armenian Genocide. These were men, women, and children who, amidst the darkest hours, held onto their faith with unwavering love and dedication to our nation and homeland. They accepted the crown of martyrdom, and in doing so, they left us a legacy of indomitable spirit and courageous faith.
Very often, we attribute our successes and good fortunes to mere luck. We say, “I was just lucky!” or “Wow, that was a lucky break!” But the scripture teaches us that our successes are not accidents of fate because “every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James1:17) The Apostle James calls out specific gifts in his letter in this very first chapter: wisdom (1:5), the crown of life given to those who …
The love of a mother is one of the strongest, most enduring loves we know in human experience. A mother’s love is instinctual, unconditional, and fierce. Yet, God says even if a mother could forget her nursing child, He will never forget us: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you,” says the Lord” (Isaiah 49:15). This is the unfailing love of God!
I pass by the Empire State Building almost every day. It’s an iconic landmark millions dream of seeing at least once. Yet, there I was, walking by it day after day, without lifting my eyes to acknowledge its presence. It had become just another part of my routine, blending into the background of my daily life.
But the other day, I noticed a group of tourists, their faces alight with excitement, taking pictures and marveling at the sight before them. Their joy, their awe, was contagious. For the first time in a long time, I stopped. I looked up.
I recently read a story about Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company. One day, he was driving to work through the countryside in Michigan. He noticed a frustrated man by the roadside, peering under the hood of his Model T Ford. The car had broken down, and the man was struggling to figure out what had gone wrong. Henry Ford pulls over and offers to help. He bends over the engine, takes a look, and within a few seconds, he makes a small adjustment. Suddenly, the engine roars to life…
Today, on this beautiful Green Sunday, we celebrate a very special day in our Armenian Church calendar—a day that breathes life, renewal, and hope into our spirits. Green Sunday is not just a tradition; it is a profound reminder of the vibrant life God promises us, a celebration of renewal, just as the earth renews itself in the spring.
We often focus on our flaws and character elements that seem incomplete or imperfect. We judge ourselves harshly, forgetting the divine perspective from which we are seen.
An early church father, St. Gregory Nazianzus, poetically described Christ as “the skilled artist who gently restores the image of God in us in all its beauty.” This imagery reminds us of our inherent worth and beauty in God’s eyes.
In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter the inspiring story of a woman who endured twelve long years of suffering from bleeding (Luke 8:43-48). St. Luke shares a poignant detail in this narrative, noting that “though she had spent all she had on doctors, she could not be healed by any” (Luke 8:43).
It’s a common experience, isn’t it? Often, we find ourselves turning to the Lord for healing or for our needs only after we’ve …
Roots are essential for a tree’s survival. They provide anchorage, but more importantly, they are the tree’s source of nourishment. They absorb water and minerals from the soil, which the tree needs to grow and thrive. And just like these trees, our spiritual lives need to be rooted. But not in anything; we need to be rooted in love—God’s love.
God’s love is like the fertile soil that nourishes our roots. It’s rich and endless and provides everything we need to grow spiritually. Remember what John tells us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever …
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of Mary, the Mother of God. This is the day the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear the Son of God: an ordinary girl, in an ordinary town, receiving an extraordinary message. And Mary’s response to this unfathomable news was one of humble acceptance. She said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Friends, St. Mary’s story is not just a beautiful beginning to the greatest story ever told; it’s also a lesson for all of us. In that instant, …
