The Next Step

Next Step #282: The Halloween Edition of the podcast on Armodoxy. In this episode - follow up to Glendale's restriction on free-speech - Fr. Vazken gets a call. All Saints Day and Halloween. Identity in a Global Community - delineating between ethnic and religious identity. Looking under the mask of our life and finding ourselves, looking under the mask of the church and finding Christ - the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. YWCA and KFC - what's the branding all about? Great Treats in this edition! Song: Aragil by Margar Eghiazarian Catholicos Karekin II's speech in Korea Engineered by Ken T. Nalik Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #281: Fr. Vazken prepares for the annual walk against Domestic Violence through the streets of Glendale & Burbank. Hear his thoughts as organizations and political parties turn their heads from the menacing and ugly realities in the community. Next - a discussion with Gala Danilova, from Artsakh on a variety of life & death issues, violence & peace, the value of life and updating to Windows 8.1 and life beyond the iPhone. Candid & meaty discussions help make way for the Step. Song: "New Life" by Gor Mkhitarian  Landmine Free Artsakh: http://landminefreeartsakh.com Datev Outreach: www.datevoutreach.org Fr. Vazken's blog: www.armodoxy.blogspot.com Engineered by Ken Nalik Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now:  Fr. Vazken and Gala Danilova

Next Step #280: When Glendale (California) Attorney tells Fr. Vazken he can't use the name of Jesus Christ in a public forum it's more than an annoyance of political correctness. A look at the constitutional right and freedom to free speech, the separation of the church & state. In the spirit of Niebuhr's prayer - understand the difference between things we can change and those we can't. The 60's - the counter culture and the need for Sanctuary in the Body of Christ are all discussed. Song: 49 Bye-Byes, For What It's Worth, America's Children - Stephen Stills Datev Outreach Presentation to the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women, 10/14/13 More on Datev Outreach: DatevOutreach.org Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #279: Moving forward from the Bishop Synod, a look at matters of social doctrine. A review of "In His Shoes" as a philosophy and a natural solution/alternative to victim-based strategies of life. Holy Etchmiadzin's Department looking at Social Doctrine. Killing in 2013 - for baseball teams? Song by Norayr Kartashyan "Tzarastan" Bishop Bagrat Galusdanian Loyola Abortion Link  Condoleezza Rice & Adam Schiff Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #278: The historic Bishop's Synod of the Armenian Church, took place behind closed doors as is the perogative of the overseers of the Church. Here's a follow-up to last weeks' look at the Synod, filled with frustrations for us looking-in, but also a wonderful opportunity to look at the Sacred Mission entrusted to us. "Yelp" and the opportunity to use technology to go beyond those closed-doors. The 140 characters and the concise nature of the Gospels. Prayer request for Abp. Mesrob Mutafyan, Patriarch of Constantinople. And much more - as Fr. Vazken takes a next step... Vardan Ovsepian "Hymn" from Aragast album Etchmiadzin on the Bishop's Synod SunSash - http://www.sunsash.blogspot.com/ Yelp - http://www.yelp.com Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #277: A first look at the Bishop's Synod in Etchmiadzin, along with background info on the catholicoi at the dias. A special treat for listeners with a uncovered gift to celebrate Fr. Vazken's anniversary. The evolution and synthesis of Armenian and Orthodoxy toward Armodoxy, in this edition. To be continued... Song: "Life's a Long Song" by Jethro Tull  Compass #7-SE (to claim "gift" press on the "Special Edition" tag) Bishop's Synod - Message of Catholicos Karekin II and Catholicos Aram I Pictures from Bishop's Synod Pope Francis Interview, "America" Magazine Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #276: Developing on a sermon he gave about mythology and Light, Fr. Vazken separates the power of Christ from Old Testament mythology. He sets up an antenna to catch the sounds that transcend time and space. He challenges listeners to find Christ outside the normal bounds of the norm. Salvation is not tied into ethnicity. In this episode: The Holy Cross, Voyager outside the Solar System,and the Building of the Moscow Cathedral - the sins of Gregory, Dirtad and us. Holy Cross Sermon  Moscow Cathedral Pictures  Song: Payloun Arousyag - Minstrels of Armenia Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #275: Fr. Vazken takes the listeners on a thought process regarding war and peace. It's absurd to believe that violence against violence will breed peace, but it's equally as absurd to believe that love and goodness against acts of violence can even survive. Here are some thoughts and a Christian answer to the evil that destroys hope. Also in this episode, Abp. Rowan Williams' thoughts on "persecution" and "growing up." Afterthoughts to the Avon Cancer Walk. Song: Nune's "Cka Kesi Nman"  Links: Inside the Pomegranate Blog: The Other South, America Compass: Anti War Protest Video - Cancer, the War and The Candle Archbishop Rowan Williams on the Persecution Engineered by Ken T. Nalik Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #274: Lighting a candle is much better than cursing the darkness. Fr. Vazken looks at two darknesses - cancer (breast) and war (Syria) in this light. He follows the light from Jesus to us, and our responsibility to be beacons of peace and love. Rev. Martin Luther King's stand on Vietnam is used as inspiration for today. Song: Peaceful World by Lara Derbedrosian Compass - Anti War (#39) Team In Her Shoes Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #273: 50 years after Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Kings Jr's "I have a Dream Speech," Fr. Vazken shares some thoughts and offers a challenge to dream of peace - bringing about peace without the use of violence. With the imminent threat of war in Syria, a candid look at our faith - do we really believe that we can overcome evil with love? Do we believe there are non-violent alternatives to threats of death and annihilation? Also a discussion of chickens and headless existence (in the context of the Armenian Church and Armodoxy) Song: "Dream Song" by Joan Baez The Speech Transcript: http://www.inhisshoes.org/documents/MLK_dream.pdf Harry Hagopian Podcast MENA: http://www.premier.org.uk/mena Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #272: St. Mary's Assumption Feast was truly a 3M-er: Memorable, Mystical and Magical. Fr. Vazken reflects on the feast which included the blessing of the harvest. Linda Zadoian, owner of Madame Kubah (and of Compass fame) joins a candid discussion about blessings and goodness. A small bowl of rice and flavorful conversation add to a mix about faith. Also in the episode: Myth Busting - the truth about grapeblessing service beyond the Northern Hemisphere. Song: Krisdos ee Mech - New release of Gomidas Badarak by the Western Diocese Sermon on Assumption Madame Kubah: http://www.madame-kubah.com/ Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #271: Fr. Vazken starts this episode by an attempt at myth-busting grape-blessing with the help of old-Iraqis and the folks down-under. Where this podcast ends up is a true reflection of Armodoxy - taking the essence of the Holy Mother of God, St. Mary, and finding a verse of pop culture that focuses on the importance of Saints in our everyday life. Is this a redirection or dismissal of her virginity? You decide. But before you do, listen to the list of names ascribed to St. Mary, from "Antaram" to "Makrouhi" to "Yerjanik" and find a message that talks to you. Also, a look at the Grape Blessing service; the Armenians were sanctifying food before Kosher became a standard. Don't miss this special edition of the Next Step. Song of the Week: "Birth of a Star" by Torkom Saraydarian  Source for Torkom Saraydarian's Creative Works  What's missing from the Nicene Creed? Next Step #270 Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #270: Discovering a missing element from the Nicene Creed. Is there more than the Father, Son, Holy Spirit and the Church? Listen in as Fr. Vazken finds the missing piece to the puzzle of Orthodoxy and Armodoxy. Balancing the roller-coasters of life - the cries and laughs - with a hug-proposal - how about a week long hug-fest? Beginning the 100th Anniversary Commemoration of the Genocide with some sanity. Also: In what language do you think? A look from the ghetto. Song: Khatchadour Avetissian "Djermag Aghavnie" - White Dove 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Monument Groundbreaking speech by Fr. Vazken In His Shoes "Leveraging Love": http://inhisshoes.org Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #269: A lost kiss finds its way to where it belongs. Join Fr. Vazken as mood swings and different life puzzles play into this podcast. A blast from Armenia and a stop at the orphanage for special need children. Armodoxy is the message of Armenian Orthodoxy and there's no better place to hear it. Pope Francis borrows a page from Armodoxy too. Song: John Bilezikjian "Art of the Oud"  Fr. Vazken on Same Sex Marriage (Act #10x)  Pope Francis and the Armodox position Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #268: Starting off with "remarkable" comments by the Roman Pontiff, HH Pope Francis regarding the "flimsy structures" in the Church and buying humbler cars. The authority that comes from sincerity. Medications for dealing with pain - find a natural solution within the Christ. Keeping Faith during Genocide by using symbols and the Rosary to connect us with Mystery. Song: New Age Armenia by Artur Sedrakian & Albina Hambartzumian Pope Francis Comments: Buy Only "Humble" Cars Rwanda Blog: http://dervaz.blogspot.com/  Surviving Genocide & the Rosary Torkom Saraydarian "New Dimensions in Healing" Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #267: Back from the Holy Land, Fr. Vazken explains the Armodox understanding of chosenness and holiness, along with an explanation of evolutionary reality. No brain-checking in this one. The healing process is furthered and expanded and at the end there is peace. Song: Nina Nay Nay by Hosharian Brothers  Sun Sash - www.Sunsash.blogspot.com Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #266: From Arizona - the "hair cut" dilemma (almost) - connecting dots with a River Runs through it. After analysis, doing it. The Transfiguration - Did you miss the point? You'll be surprised who else did! A mellow look at some difficult ideas. Song - "Noubar, Noubar" by Element Band Inside the Pomegranate Sun Sash - http://sunsash.blogspot.com/2013/07/sun-sash-late.html Armodoxy Blog: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/ Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!  Play Now: 

Next Step #265: Fourth of July editions with freedom to explore possibilities. Answers to same sex commentary (from last week) - the dimensions of sin, while "plankated." Epostle at age 5. America and freedom.Song: America the Beautiful by Keb' Mo'  Last week's: "Next Step #264" Inside the Pomegranate with Anush Avejic Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio! 

Next Step #264: The Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriages - put into perspective, in the context of Orthodoxy and the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Definitions and laws in the Armodox tradition. In this episode, Fr. Vazken discusses issues of homosexual marriages, unions, family, and the horrifying realities experienced through Datev Outreach, namely domestic violence and "unwanted" children. Also - a look at Armenia - as a pilgrim travels on the CYMA program in contrast to a young seminarian in the Soviet State in 1977. Links...Suicide-Domestic Violence victim in Armenia Anush's Pomegranate Compass with Linda Zadoian Song: Mariam Matossian's "Hayastani Aghchigner" Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio! 

Next Step #263: The perennial question and concern for the youth is explored in view of the Millennials, technology and human search for meaning. Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant look for youth outside of the reality of life, and of course, will never find it outside. Youth are closer than we may realize - just need to look in the right place. Take a Next Step in this direction.Anush's "Inside the Pomegranate" Blog launches in a new format as an audio blog. The premiere episode is included in today's Next Step. Song: Nina Simone "Ain't Got No; I Got Life" Inside the Pomegranate: Remembering Dad Time Magazine, "The Me Me Me Generation" Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Now on Stitcher Radio!