That’s the story of Etchmiadzin, which is the story of St. Hagop and all Armenian churches and people.  There really is no hero in these stories, one person or even group of people who built the church.  The hero is Christ alone, the rest of us are along for the ride, which reminds me of…

What’s the first date you put on the calendar for the year? Perhaps your birthday or that of a loved one.  Maybe your wedding anniversary or your vacation.  Well, the first Saint on the Armenian Church calendar after the 50 days of Easter, is the Prophet Elijah who we remember today.  Elijah holds a place…

That’s the only birthday gift we need, and unlike any other gift, the more you give this one away the more there is…you never run out.  That’s why there is fire and flames during Pentecost and maybe why we use candles on a birthday cake. Fire on a candle gives light by itself, right?  But…

Today, St. John gives us one of the boldest promises in all of Scripture that: ‘If we ask anything (in prayer) according to His will, He hears us and we know we’ve obtained what we’ve asked for.’ That seems like we’ve won the lottery, and we have, but only if we submit ourselves to how God, prayer…

Every mother since then has echoed that yes, in her own way. Not always with words. Sometimes with tears. Sometimes with whispered prayers. Sometimes with fierce protection. Sometimes with a little guilt. But always with love. And that love—like all real love—like Christ’s love-comes with a cost. A mother’s love is the first love that…

A monk was once threatened with death by a bandit. The monk said to the bandit, “If you are going to kill me, be good enough to fulfill my dying wish. Cut off the branch of that tree.” One slash of the sword, and it was done! “What now?” asked the bandit. “Put it back…