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© Fr. Barouyr Shernezian
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Join the Very Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian, Dean of the Armenian Theological Seminary of the Catholicosate of the Great See of Cilicia, in weekly conversations in Armenian and English about the Armenian Apostolic Church, church traditions, Christian spirituality, and current events in the Church.
130 Episodes
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This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a conversation with Fr. Karekin Bedourian, Pastor of Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Orange County, California. Fr. Karekin earned his Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and in the process, obtained his certificate in Life Coaching. They talk about how part of the role of parish priest involves coaching parishioners, including through the Sacrament of Confession. The Armenian Church is a safe haven for its members, and one of the most important jobs of the Pastor is to comfort his parishioners. As such, the Pastor helps his parishioners to bear their burdens.
This week, Fr. Barouyr is joined by Deacon Garo Balian. Dn. Garo attended seminary in Bikfaya and is currently the administrator, choir director, and full-time Deacon at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Dearborn, Michigan. They talk about some of then differences between church in the Middle East and the US, including how much easier it is for the faithful to attend churches in the Middle East. Fr. Barouyr highlights how this reflects the flexibility of the church mission to the context. They next discuss some of the pastoral differences between the Middle East and the US, like the busyness of people’s work schedules. The church, therefore, has to make an extra effort to make the church feel like home to the parishioners. Dn. Garo also talks about the St. Sarkis Church Youth Group and its vital role in the mission of the church, and how it focused on the needs of the youth, and directed by the youth.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about renewal in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Fr. Barouyr highlights the importance of connecting the church with the youth, and the challenges it faces in doing so. He exhorts us to push for change at our parishes, including new approaches to connect with the younger generation. He cautions us that without connecting with more of the faithful, the church will become a cultural relic. Finally, Fr. Barouyr exhorts us to pray for the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into the Armenian Apostolic Church.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for his sermon from St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church in Hollywood, California. He discusses not just the miraculous feeding, but the symbolism. The 5 loaves symbolizes the Law. The 2 fish symbolize the prophecy of the Old Testament. Moses was given two pillars upon which the Jewish people were saved in the desert: God’s word and sacrifice. Jesus turned this on its head, as illustrated by His words during the Last Supper: “this is my blood of the New Covenant.” This forms the basis for the Divine Liturgy. In order to allow Jesus into our lives, we have to prepare our hearts with His words.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr from St. Gregory the Illuminator in San Francisco. He discusses the parable of the wheat and the weeds, starting by asking the question, why does God allow weeds to be planted in our lives? He talks about what the weeds signify individually in our lives, and what they signify more broadly. He highlights that God, like the farmer, allows us all a lifetime to come to Him, as His intention is to save us all.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a sermon from Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Fresno, California. Fr. Barouyr discusses the event in Matthew when Jesus and His Apostles are picking and eating grain from a field on the Sabbath. Fr. Barouyr explains that the Bible doesn’t exist to judge us, but to save us. Further, this event reminds us that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbarh, as described in the Old Testament. Jesus is among us every day, humbling Himself to gather our grains.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about gratitude. Gratitude extends beyond giving thanks, and moves us into action. True gratitude isn’t just a feeling, it’s action directed at others. Fr. Barouyr encourages us to be grateful and show our gratitude with our actions.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about Jesus’s High Priestly Prayer, which is recounted to us in John 17. Fr. Barouyr discusses the background - that this prayer comes during the Last Supper, the culmination of Jesus’s earthly teachings. He breaks the prayer down into three parts: prayer centered around Jesus, prayer centered around the Disciples, and prayer centered around all believers. Fr. Barouyr explains how Jesus turned the hour at the cross from defeat into triumph; how He formed a bridge between God and the Disciples; and how unity with God was extended to all believers. Finally, Fr. Barouyr describes the Last Supper as an invitation to all of us to join in unity with Christ.
This week, by listener request, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about the Desert Fathers. Fr. Barouyr sets the stage by recounting the modern day history behind the founding of St. Anthony’s Monastery, in the Arizona desert, and the miraculous discover of water running beneath it. He delves into the history behind the Desert Fathers, as well as their spiritual motivations behind withdrawing to the desert. The desert served as a spiritual laboratory, a fertile ground for encountering God. Christ also withdrew to the desert. The silence and emptiness allow our souls to experience the Psalmist’s line, “be still, and know that I am God.” Further, they reinforce that even in barren places, God brings living water.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about Jesus’s trip to the Temple with Peter, told in Matthew 17:24-27. Fr. Barouyr explains the context of the time, when the Temple Tax signified duty, belonging, and obedience. Fr. Barouyr then explains further the meaning behind the fish paying His Temple Tax: 1) Jesus stayed obedient to the law and paid his Temple tax, not from his pocket, but from the fish; 2)He is both king and High Priest; and 3)Christ is the creator, willing the fish to pay His Temple Tax. Further, the fish is used as a symbol, its Ancient Greek forming an acronym meaning Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Further, Christ commands Peter to catch the fish, symbolizing salvation, just after Peter recognized Him as the Messiah. Finally, this symbolizes Christ paying the taxes for the sins of all.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about the priestly calling. He talks about how the paths for the priesthood in the Armenian Church, how to discern the calling, and to understand how those who feel the calling fit in. Fr. Barouyr talks about some of the differences between celibate and married priesthood, and that those who feel the calling should search their souls deeply.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about finding God in a world full of anxiety. The causes and stressors resulting in anxiety vary from person to person. Many build their lives on foundations that are uncertain, but prayer can help bring Christ to the center of our lives and alleviate some of our anxieties. Prayer has four phases: praying what we’ve been taught, personal prayer from our hearts, bringing scripture into prayer, and sitting quietly in God’s presence.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a book review about The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis. He discusses the unique insights that this book gives us, as it is written from the perspective of demons attempting to tempt humans. He highlights the duality of human nature, both temporary and eternal, and the importance for us to stay vigilant to temptation, even in good times. Finally, Fr. Barouyr emphasizes the devil’s subtle ways of attempting to drive a wedge between God and man.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a practical discussion about how to read the Holy Bible. He first guides us on why it is important to read the Bible, before giving us 5 practical tips to guide us into forming a Bible reading practice. Fr. Barouyr breaks this up into 5 steps: start with a plan, choose the right translation, “read short reflect deep,” write it down, and create a daily rhythm.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a spiritual reflection about the Armenian Genocide. He discusses the painful contrast between Easter and the start of the Armenian Genocide, only 4 days this year. He describes how Antoura was used for the erasure of the Armenian people, language, and religion, as witnessed by Karnig Panian, a mere child at the time. Fr. Barouyr reminds us that the Armenians are not just a nation of survivors, but also builders, and children of resurrection.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for an episode about Christ’s glorious Resurrection. In this episode, he talks to us about how we should prepare ourselves for Easter, like the women who went to His tomb on the third day. He compares our standing at the doors to the church to the women standing at the rock at His tomb, which has been moved to the side. Fr. Barouyr reminds us that Christ freed us from slavery to sin, and that we should carry this with us into our lives.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a special reflection about Holy Week. As we prepare to join Jesus as he enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Fr. Barouyr reflects on the swiftness with which Jesus was arrested, judged, condemned, and crucified. Fr. Barouyr reminds us not to put ritual before God’s truth, and the symbolic connection between Christ’s 6 hours on the cross and the 6 days of creation.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about the Parable of the Unjust Judge. Fr. Barouyr talks about what this parable teaches us about both of the main characters in this parable: the judge and the widow. It teaches us how the judge reflects some of our worst characteristics, while the widow reflects some of our worst fears. We are reminded that we can only find righteousness in Christ, who is our advocate while we are on earth, but becomes our judge at the end of our lives. Therefore, we should always prepare for our final judgment, while refraining from judging others.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about justice. Through a parable about a thief and a judge, Fr. Barouyr reminds us that Christ is our advocate until the end of our lives, but becomes our judge as our lives come to an end. He reminds us to be agents of God’s mercy, not judges of the people in our lives.
This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about the Book of Lamentations. Fr. Barouyr explores what it has to teach us about loss and grief; and our relationship with God. In addition, Fr. Barouyr talks about how the promise of resurrection can be found in the Book of Lamentations.
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