Podcasts about armenian church

Conversations on Groong - November 27, 2025Topics: Clergy Arrests in Armenia Church Under Pressure Prayer Breakfast Controversy Western Silence on Repression CSI's Findings in YerevanGuest: Joel VeldkampHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 490 | Recorded: November 25, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/490VIDEO: https://youtu.be/BGnt2feIXMs#ArmenianChurch #ReligiousFreedom #ClergyArrests #ChristianSolidarityInternational #HumanRightsInArmeniaSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Imnemnimi Podcasters Arrested:Freedom of Expression at Risk in ArmeniaConversations on GroongTopicsArrest of Imnemnimi PodcastersWhat are the Government's Real Intentions?Silence of the WestCall to All Media: Cover Aggressions Against Freedom of Expression in Armenia!GuestArthur KhachikyanHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 485 | Recorded: November 14, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/485Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Zelensky is using the secret police to extinguish traditional Christianity in Ukraine. How come no one in the US Congress seems to notice this? (00:00) The Armenian Christian Persecution (24:10) Who's Behind the Global Push to Eliminate Christianity? (30:50) Why Aren't American Leaders Talking About the Attacks on the Armenian Church? (37:15) Zelensky's Torture of Ukrainian Christians (45:35) The Efforts to Censor This Global Crisis Paid partnerships with: Landman on Paramount+: Don't miss the hit series everyone is talking about - Landman. New Season streaming November 16th, only on Paramount+ GCU: Find your purpose at Grand Canyon University. Learn more at https://GCU.edu Cozy Earth: Luxury shouldn't be out of reach. Go to https://cozyearth.com/TUCKER for up to 40% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Euronest, Aliyev Transit Move, Gyumri Mayor Arrest, Pashinyan vs. ChurchGroong Week in Review - October 26, 2025TopicsEuronest session takeawaysAliyev's transit move and TRIPPGyumri mayor arrest falloutPashinyan's push to control the ChurchGuestArthur KhachatryanHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 481 | Recorded: October 29, 2025https://podcasts.groong.org/481Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

In this episode of The Open Door, panelists Thomas Storck, Andrew Sorokowski, and Christopher Zehnder interview Felix Corley on his book Catholicos and Commissar: The Armenian Church under the Soviet Regime (October29, 2025)Part of a two-volume set, this volume explores the history of the Armenian Apostolic Church under Soviet rule. Initially flourishing across the Russian Empire, the Church briefly enjoyed greater religious freedom after the February 1917 revolution. However, the Bolshevik regime imposed severe restrictions after October 1917: churches were seized, clergy were taxed and jailed, religious education was banned, and international ties were severed. By 1938, Stalin's purges had devastated the Church, culminating in the murder of Catholicos Khoren and the closure of almost all churches.Despite this, a partial revival occurred after World War II. In 1945, Stalin permitted the election of a new Church leader, Catholicos Gevorg, who supported Soviet territorial claims and repatriation efforts. Although minimal, the Church's presence in the South Caucasus and southern Russia was gradually restored.The book is based on extensive archival research, memoirs, and interviews, offering a vivid account of how the Church and its followers struggled to maintain faith under an oppressive regime.Volume 2 continues the history of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Soviet Union, focusing on the leadership of Catholicos Vazgen I, who served from 1955 until 1994-the longest tenure of any religious leader in the USSR. Chosen by the KGB after a lack of suitable Soviet-based candidates, Vazgen publicly supported the Soviet regime but worked quietly to strengthen the Church's presence at home and abroad. The Church's seminary at Echmiadzin grew, and diaspora ties were cautiously encouraged, though most parishes remained isolated.Despite the appearance of normalcy, the Church operated under heavy restrictions. Major decisions were often made by the state, and KGB agents were placed among the clergy. The harsh anti-religious campaigns of the Khrushchev era forced the closure of many churches. After Khrushchev's fall, restrictions eased somewhat, but the Church remained passive, neither resisting nor expanding.Major change came under Gorbachev's reforms in the late 1980s. Long-suppressed Armenian national aspirations, especially around Nagorno-Karabakh, erupted, followed by the 1988 earthquake. The Church responded with new community efforts. Though initially cautious about independence, Catholicos Vazgen eventually played a key role in legitimising the new Armenian state and reaffirming the Church's place as its official religion.Like Volume One, this book draws from extensive archival research, memoirs, and interviews to tell the story of how the Armenian Church and its followers navigated Soviet repression and shifting political landscapes.

Anastas Mikoyan, an Armenian Reformer in Khrushchev's KremlinDr. Pietro Shakarian explains the core arguments and new archival findings behind his book on Anastas Mikoyan. We cover Mikoyan's effort to devolve power inside the USSR during Khrushchev's constitutional reform drive, what a confederal model could have meant, and why it stalled. We discuss Mikoyan's role in Armenia's cultural thaw, including rehabilitations tied to his 1954 Yerevan speech. Shakarian details his research trail across Russian and Armenian archives, 1960s Artsakh petitions, Mikoyan's stance toward the Armenian Church, and how his Armenian identity surfaced during Cold War crises.TopicsResearch journey, archives Moscow and YerevanMikoyan's vision of confederation for the USSRArtsakh's status within Soviet constraintsDe-Stalinization and Armenia's cultural thawMikoyan's stance toward the Armenian ChurchGuestPietro ShakarianHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianKey Questions DiscussedHow far did Khrushchev's reforms move the USSR toward a confederation, and why did it fail in practiceWhat “radical devolution of powers” would mean for union and republic relationsWhich Armenian writers and officials were affected by post-Stalin rehabilitationsWhat new evidence from Moscow and Yerevan archives changes prior scholarshipHow Mikoyan's Armenian identity and stance toward the Church shaped decisions and relationshipsReferenced Articles and SourcesAnastas Mikoyan, an Armenian Reformer in Khrushchev's Kremlin – AmazonPrior Groong episode with Pietro Shakarian (Episode 28)Episode 480 | Recorded: October 18, 2025https://podcasts.groong.org/480Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Ajapahyan Sentenced, Moldova, EPC, Peace Act, Dismantling the Armenian MilitaryGroong Week in Review - October 5, 2025TopicsAjapahyan Sentenced: 2 Years in JailMoldova Election LessonsEPC in Copenhagen, WSF in WarsawPeace ActDismantling Armenia's MilitaryGuestBenyamin PoghosyanHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 477 | Recorded: October 6, 2025https://podcasts.groong.org/477Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Clint and Wendy engaged in a detailed discussion about religious practices and traditions, particularly focusing on Catholic veneration of Mary and comparing it to other faiths like Mormonism. They explored various aspects of religious art, symbolism, and cultural significance, including observations from Wendy's visits to different churches and her experiences discussing faith with family members. 

Conversations on Groong - September 4, 2025In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with international human rights lawyer Robert Amsterdam about the arrest and pre-trial detention of Armenian businessman and Church benefactor Samvel Karapetyan. We explore how Armenia's courts are being used in a campaign of lawfare targeting political opponents and the Armenian Apostolic Church, following growing tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government and religious leaders. Amsterdam discusses the legal inconsistencies, the weaponization of pre-trial detention, and how these actions violate international norms. We also examine the broader consequences for Armenia's legal system, religious freedom, and international reputation.Topic: Arrest of Samvel KarapetyanPre-trial detention practicesLawfare and double standardsArmenia's global consequencesGuest: Robert AmsterdamHosts: Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 468 | Recorded: September 4, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/468VIDEO: https://youtu.be/0aa4tvYVL7M#Lawfare #Armenia #ReligiousFreedom #PoliticalPrisoners #SamvelKarapetyanSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Pashinyan vs. the Church, India Armenia, NGOs and Foreign Influence, Trump CorridorTopicsPashinyan vs. The Armenian ChurchIndian-Armenian RelationsNGOs and Foreign InfluenceU.S. Geopolitics and the Trump CorridorGuestChristine ArakelianHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 462 | Recorded: August 15, 2025Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Artsakh Negotiations, Armenian Domestic PoliticsTopicsArtsakh NegotiationsArmenian Domestic PoliticsGuestArthur KhachatryanHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 455 | Recorded: July 25, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/455Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Groong Week in Review - July 6, 2025In this episode of the Groong Podcast, we are joined by Arthur Martirosyan for a Week in Review covering Armenia's shifting geopolitical landscape and domestic upheaval. The discussion explores the controversial proposal for a U.S.-controlled corridor through Syunik, tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan, and Pashinyan's escalating confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church. The show also examines Armenia's foreign policy confusion, including talk of joining the SCO, while cracking down on opposition voices—most notably the stripping of immunity from Seyran Ohanyan and Artsvik Minasyan. Against this backdrop, the episode questions the erosion of sovereignty, the use of legal tools for political ends, and the uncertain future of Armenia's democratic and constitutional order.TopicsConstitution DayWestern Controlled Syunik?What was Kallas Doing in Yerevan?Russian-Azerbaijani RelationsCoup d'Etat? Or Coup d'Église?GuestArthur G MartirosyanHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 452 | Recorded: July 7, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/452Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Today we speak to independent researcher  Dickran Khodanian. He tells us why Orthodox priests in Armenian are getting raided and arrested on suspicion of planning an armed uprising. No ads and tons of exclusives: www.patreon.com/popularfront Discounted internet privacy for all our listeners: www.protonvpn.com/popularfront - Info: www.popularfront.co - Merch: www.popularfront.shop - News: www.instagram.com/popular.front - Jake: www.jakehanrahan.com    

Groong Week in Review - June 29, 2025TopicsIran WarIran-Azerbaijan RelationsRussian-Azerbaijani TensionsRussian-Armenian RelationsPersecution of The Church ContinuesKaja Kallas in ArmeniaOIC DeclarationGuestDziunik AghajanianHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 451 | Recorded: June 29, 2025Subscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Groong Week in Review - June 22, 2025This Week in Review episode features Sergei Melkonian and covers a turbulent week in Armenia and the region. As Israel and the U.S. launched a short but intense war on Iran, Armenia found itself navigating heightened regional risks, a rising refugee flow, and diplomatic silence. Meanwhile, domestically, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan escalated a political and cultural confrontation with the Armenian Church, arresting billionaire Samvel Karapetyan after he publicly defended the clergy. Dozens of opposition figures were also detained, including members of the ARF and the Srbazan Movement. As Pashinyan visited Istanbul for a quiet meeting with Erdogan—coinciding with an anti-Armenian declaration by the OIC—his government cracked down at home, drawing criticism for politicizing national security and purging dissent.TopicsIsrael and IranCrackdown on the OppositionPashinyan in IstanbulThe Kitchen SinkGuestSergei MelkonianHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 449 | Recorded: June 25, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/449VIDEO: https://youtu.be/KqlQ13gkIIc #IranIsraelWar #ZangezurCorridor #SamvelKarapetyan #ChurchCrackdown #SrbazanMovementSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Groong Week in Review - June 8, 2025In this Week in Review episode, Groong hosts unpack a tense week in Armenian politics and society. Prime Minister Pashinyan intensifies his attacks on the Armenian Church, while the ruling Civil Contract party faces mounting criticism over corruption and nepotism. The opposition RPA nominates a symbolic candidate for prime minister amid an unlikely impeachment effort. Meanwhile, Armenia's economy shows cracks beneath reported growth, Georgia tightens trade routes, and demographic warnings grow starker as birthrates plummet and emigration continues. The episode also touches on global shifts, including the Ukraine war and Poland's presidential pivot, framing Armenia's challenges in a broader geopolitical context.TopicsUkraine's War, Poland's Pivot?Status Check on the EconomyRPA Names PM CandidateArmenia's Demographic ThreatsThe Kitchen SinkGuestHrant MikaelianHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 444 | Recorded: June 9, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/444VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ZeOxwQm2DJ8#ArmeniaPolitics #ArmeniaEconomy #ukrainewar #armenianchurch #PopulationDeclineSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Groong Week in Review - June 1, 2025In this episode of Groong's Week in Review, recorded on June 2, 2025, guest Benyamin Poghosyan joins hosts Hovik Manucharyan and Asbed Bedrossian to unpack a tense and volatile week in both regional and domestic politics. The conversation opens with rising tensions in the Ukraine war, as drone strikes reach deep into Russia, Germany lifts missile restrictions, and Trump labels Putin “crazy,” all while Iran nuclear talks remain frozen under hardline U.S. demands. The focus then shifts to the South Caucasus, where Turkish FM Hakan Fidan met Lavrov in Moscow to push the “3+3” platform and floated Istanbul as a summit venue for global powers. Meanwhile, Erdogan, Aliyev, and Pakistan's PM Sharif staged a PR spectacle in Lachin to inaugurate a third airport in occupied Artsakh, signaling strategic realignments. Back in Armenia, the Pashinyans launched harsh verbal attacks on the Armenian Church just as Baku's Grand Mufti claimed Etchmiadzin as Azerbaijani land, prompting questions of tacit coordination. The episode also revisits the impeachment debate versus opposition planning for the 2026 elections, probing whether security and corruption can drive real political traction. Finally, the hosts spotlight the rise of regime-aligned oligarch Narek Nalbandyan, whose sweetheart deals, state-enabled asset grabs, and government-backed expansion raise serious concerns about the erosion of anti-corruption values in Armenia today.TopicsStatus of Ukraine and US-Iran CrisesHakan Fidan in MoscowErdogan, Aliyev, Sharif in LachinAzerbaijan and Pashinyan Attack the Armenian ChurchImpeachment vs. ElectionsThe Kitchen SinkGuest: Benyamin PoghosyanHostsHovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 442 | Recorded: June 2, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/442VIDEO: https://youtu.be/oo_B7xhOVlMSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Conversations on Groong – April 29, 2025Topics:    Vatican's alliance with Azerbaijan    Whitewashing of Artsakh's ethnic cleansing    Global silence on Armenian Genocide    U.S. policy under Trump and risks to ArmeniaGuest:Alberto M. FernandezHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 431 | Recorded: April 29, 2025https://podcasts.groong.org/431VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ma7QlJRzjTISubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

St. Gregory of Narek (c. 945-1003), was an Armenian saint: a monk, scholar, poet, and hymn writer. Praised as a saint by Pope St. John Paul II, who called by him the “great Marian doctor of the Armenian Church,” St. Gregory of Narek was officially proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Francis in 2015–one of the most recent additions to the list of the Doctors of the Church. Links Listen to our Way of the Fathers episode on the heresy of Eutyches and monophysitism: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/416-heresieseutyches-monophysitism-drop-in-ocean/  Listen to our Way of the Fathers episode on the heresy of rebaptism: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/410-heresies-rebaptism-and-donatists/ Listen to a lecture by musicologist Dr. Haig Utigjian on St. Gregory's Odes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xleJO1xra08 (The lecturer sings an example of a (later) melody at about minute 36) The book, The Doctor of Mercy: The Sacred Treasures of St. Gregory of Narek, by Michael Papazian: https://litpress.org/Products/8501/The-Doctor-of-Mercy A collection of books about St. Gregory of Narek, including the above: https://litpress.org/Products/SGNSET/The-Works-of-St-Gregory-of-Narek The English translation of St. Gregory's book of prayers: The Book of Lamentations: https://www.amazon.com/dp/9993085340  SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter:  https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at:  http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage:  http://www.jimpapandrea.com Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch To ask questions, make comments, or interact with Dr. Papandrea, join the conversation in the Original Church Community: https://theoriginalchurch.locals.com/ Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed:  https://www.ccwatershed.org/  

Arab states meet in Riyadh today. Christians in Jerusalem are fighting a new push by the city's municipality to pursue disputed taxes. Syria is eyeing a way forward for the country's vastly fractured military factions. This episode features Hamza Hendawi, Lizzie Porter, and Thomas Helm.

Համայնքային Յայտարարութիւն Աւստրալիոյ եւ Նոր Զելանտայի Հայոց Առաջնորդարանին կողմէ: Community announcement from the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand.

In light of the rising tide of anti-Jewish attacks and demonstrations around the world, Patrick shares this morning's Wall Street Journal editorial regarding antisemitism and issues his own stirring denunciation of Jew hatred, and urges Christians to stand up for unjustly persecuted groups like the Jews.  Tina - Should I disinvite a distant relative who claims to be a medium to our Easter Celebration? Kelly - How can Bishops lift the obligation during Covid and then reinstate it as a mortal sin if you miss it later? (06:05) The Global War on the Jews: Anti-Semitism surges, even in the West, which shows why Israel exists. (20:05) Macaria – Is it sinful to wear Jesus and pope costumes? James - It seems like the devil is trying to divide us making us upset at each other. Margaret - If I take my rosary to adoration, can I ask Jesus to Bless my rosary and not have to ask a priest to bless it? Anna - Why in the Mass is it forbidden to consecrate only one species? Amy - I work as a nurse and need to work a lot of weekends. How can I fulfill my Sunday obligation? Ann - I went to a Mass where there were relics on the Alter. Is that okay for Mass? Joan - I have been praying for the Armenian Church which is being persecuted by Hamas in a different area. That is a good example of them going to Catholics. Rose - Is it okay to buy lottery tickets from vending machines? Geri - Can Angels ready our minds?

The Key of Truth is a fascinating book, written by a sect of Armenian Unitarian Christians in the 1700s. Originally under Muslim rule, this group of Christians migrated to Russian-controlled Armenia in the nineteenth century. Sadly, they faced investigation, persecution, fines, and probably exile at the hands of the Armenian Church authorities. Although lost to history, this group of twenty-five families lives on in their intriguing and bold surviving text--the Key of Truth. Translated into English by Frederick Cornwallis Conybeare, this book testifies to a biblical unitarian community trying to survive in a hostile environment. Here's the original paper (available to read online or to download as a pdf) that accompanied this presentation. It delves into the proposal that the Key of Truth was actually a medieval Paulician document. I conclude that the arguments of Conybeare (19th c.) and Garsoïan (20th c.) fail to stand up to scrutiny, especially in light of the work of Hamilton (20th c.) and Ohanjanyan (21st c.). Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4hQa-3g_YE —— Links —— Read the Key of Truth for yourself (Conybeare translation) See my original paper (available to read online or to download as a pdf)  More Restitutio resources on Christian history Support Restitutio by donating here Join our Restitutio Facebook Group and follow Sean Finnegan on Twitter @RestitutioSF Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play them out on the air Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library. Who is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio here

This is part 21 of the Early Church History class. In the fifth century Christians waged a theological civil war that ended in a massive church split. The issue was over the dual natures of Christ. How was he both divine and human? Did he have a human soul and a divine soul? Did his two natures fuse into one new nature? Although such abstruse distinctions would hardly get anyone's blood boiling today, these doctrinal distinctives resulted in a zero sum war for supremacy involving not only theological argumentation, but also political conniving and outright gangster tactics in the battles that led to the famous Council of Chalcedon in 451. Though church history textbooks often whitewash this period of theological creativity, this episode will give you a brief but unapologetic overview of the major players and their deeds in the dual natures controversy. Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKQafdCPXAk&list=PLN9jFDsS3QV2lk3B0I7Pa77hfwKJm1SRI&index=21&pp=iAQB —— Links —— More Restitutio resources on Christian history See other classes here Support Restitutio by donating here Join our Restitutio Facebook Group and follow Sean Finnegan on Twitter @RestitutioSF Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play them out on the air Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library. Who is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio here —— Notes —— Options for Two Natures Athanasius (c. 357) affirmed Jesus as God and man but did not explain how the natures united. He called Mary Theotokos (God-bearer). Apollinarius of Laodicea (d. 382) said the Word became flesh without assuming a human mind (Apollinarianism). Gregory of Nazianzus (d. 390) condemned Apollinarius and said that what God has not assumed, he has not healed. Eutyches of Constantinople (380-456) said the divine and human natures combined to form one new nature (Eutychianism/Monophysitism) Nestorius (c. 429) denied Mary as Theotokos, calling her instead Christotokos, and allegedly taught that Christ had two distinct natures in two persons (Nestorianism/dyophysitism). Leo I said Christ had two natures united in person, though the two natures remained distinct (Chalcedonian dyophysitism). Condemning John Chrysostom John Chrysostom represented the Antiochene school of thought (as opposed to the Alexandrian). 397 Chrysostom became bishop of Constantinople. Eudoxia, wife of the emperor Arcadius, worked with Theophilus of Alexandria to depose Chrysostom. 403 Synod of the Oak deposed Chrysostom. 404 Chrysostom exiled. 407 Chrysostom marched to death Condemning Nestorius 428 Nestorius became bishop of Constantinople. He immediately began persecuting “heretics” as a defender of orthodoxy. 429 Anastasius of Antioch preached in Constantinople that no one should call Mary Pulcheria, sister of emperor Theodosius II, worked with Cyril of Alexandria to depose Nestorius. 431 1st Council of Ephesus deposed Nestorius. Condemning Flavian 446 Flavian became bishop of Constantinople. 448 Held a synod that interrogated and condemned Eutyches 449 2nd Council of Ephesus reinstated Eutyches and condemned Flavian. Dioscorus of Alexandria instigated violence against Flavian that resulted in his death. Known to history as the “Robber Synod” Chalcedon 450 Theodosius II fell from his horse and died, leaving Pulcheria, his sister the nun, to marry Marcian, the new emperor. 451 Marcian and Pulcheria called the council at Chalcedon to reverse the 2nd Council of Ephesus and depose Dioscorus. Pope Leo's tome was read and accepted. After much debate, they codified the definition of Chalcedon, declaring Mary as Theotokos and Christ as having two natures in one person. When Nestorius read Leo's tome, he agreed with him and called it orthodox. Several important groups of churches, both Nestorian and Monophysite, rejected Chalcedon, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Armenia, Syria, and Persia. Review Deciding how the divine and human natures worked in Christ became the chief focus for many Christians in the fifth century. Apollinarius of Laodice proposed that the logos (Word) replaced the human mind, the rational part of the soul, in Christ (Apollinarianism). Eutyches proposed that Christ was one nature after the union of the divine and human (monophysitism). Pope Leo I said the two natures retained their distinctive characters in the one person of Christ (dyophysitism). Nestorius allegedly taught that the two natures in Christ were not united in one person (Nestorianism), though this was probably a misrepresentation of Cyril of Alexandria. Powerful Alexandrian bishops worked with powerful empresses to outmaneuver and depose Constantinopolitan bishops John Chrysostom in 404 and Nestorius in 431. Nestorius tried to steer people away from calling Mary Theotokos (God-bearer) by calling her Christotokos (Christ-bearer), but this offended many. Alexandrian bishops from Theophilus to Cyril to Dioscorus increasingly used gangster tactics to intimidate, coerce, beat, and even kill their theological-political opponents. The Chalcedonian definition of 451 condemned Nestorius and Eutyches while endorsing Cyril and Leo, promoting a diophysite statement of two natures in one person, united but not confused. Though trumpeted as "orthodox", Chalcedon alienated a huge portion of Christianity, including the Coptic Church, Ethiopian Church, Syrian Church, Armenian Church, and Assyrian Church.

Father Garabed Kochakian has authored several books for the Diocesan Department of Christian Education about Ecumenism in the Armenian Church and published books on Art and Iconography in the Armenian Church. As a specialist in Armenian Sacred Art and Theology, Father Garabed presently delivers lectures on Armenian Art, Illuminated manuscripts, and Armenian Ecclesiastical Architecture to various groups and parishes of the Diocese and for universities. In addition, he conducts Illuminated manuscript painting workshops for adults and children. He has painted Icons for seven of the parishes in the Eastern Diocese and continues to paint Icons and Illuminations in the Armenian tradition.​ In this episode, Father Garabed and I discussed the images, objects, and architecture of our shared Armenian Apostolic Christianity.

Bible Study: (2:35) Heb 2:5-12 Father explains his pro-Talmudic reading of today's text Mk 1:21-28 What does it mean to teach with authority?  What's the best way to rebuke the Devil?  Letters (19:11) - Can Father explain the 'Come Holy Spirit' prayer (33:44) - There is a parishioner wears a shirt that says 'protect trans kids.' What should I do?   Word of the Day: Hierarchy (39:21) Callers (43:59) - How to judge rightly in terms of giving money to priests? (47:16) - Husband and I going on a cruise, and one of the Sundays, we're not going to be able to go to mass.  Is that okay? (48:52) - A friend is w/the Armenian Church, he goes to communion at the Catholic Church, is that okay, or how to advise him?

*) Ukraine's Zelenskyy says Russian strike at school killed about 60 Sixty civilians have died in the bombing of a school in eastern Ukraine's Lugansk region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is appalled by the reported attack which hit a school where many people were apparently seeking shelter from the ongoing fighting. Guterres reiterated, in a statement, that civilians and civilian infrastructure must always be spared in times of war. *) Putin to mark Soviet Union's WW2 victory over Nazi Germany President Vladimir Putin will lead anniversary celebrations of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany as Russian forces fight Ukrainians in one of the deadliest European conflicts since World War Two. Putin has in recent years used Victory Day to needle the West from a tribune in Red Square before a parade of troops, tanks, rockets and ballistic missiles. *) Philippines votes for new president in 'most consequential election' Filipinos have begun voting for a new president with the son of an ousted dictator and a champion of reforms and human rights as top contenders. Monday's election pits Vice President Leni Robredo against former senator and congressman Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the son and namesake of a dictator. Opinion polls put Marcos, popularly known as "Bongbong", leading his rival by over 30 percentage points, having topped every poll this year. *) Dozens killed in 'CODECO militia' raid on DRC gold mine Raiders have killed at least 35 people in an attack on a gold mine in Ituri, in Democratic Republic of Congo, local sources said. One local official of the rural Mungwalu settlement in Djugu, Ituri, said the militia carried out the attack on the artisanal mine. 29 bodies had been retrieved, while another six burnt bodies had been found buried at the site. And, finally... *) Türkiye inaugurates renovated Armenian church in Diyarbakir Türkiye has officially reopened a 16th-century Armenian church that had been damaged by terrorists before restoration by the Turkish government. Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said everyone “shares the excitement” of the renovated Armenian Church in Diyarbakir which will reopen for worship. The historic church in Diyarbakir's Sur district was damaged by PKK terrorist attacks in 2015.

By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Narrated By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Produced by Vardan Sargsyan ISBN: 978-0-934728-05-8 “We American-Armenians of the early third millennium have the rare opportunity to restore our Church to its traditional stature in Armenian life,” writes Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan, in his thoughtful consideration of the present status—and future potential—of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of America's Eastern Diocese. Inspired by the Apostle Paul's classic vision of the Church in the Epistle to the Ephesians, Building Up the Body of Christ: The Treasure of the Armenian Church for Our People Today presents a vision for his flock that encompasses the full spiritual richness of the Armenian Church's mission, rooted in the richly fertile soil of her culture and tradition. Bishop Daniel's message to individual faithful, local church parishes and the Diocese overall is ambitious in scope and urgent in tone. His heartfelt exhortation concludes with practical guidance on questions of education, service, worship, outreach, and governance. “We want our Church to be a place of dignity, holiness and hope in a world where these virtues are in short supply,” he writes; “a community where the laurels of Armenia's Christian past are made relevant and life-giving today. We want our Church to be a portal to all that is genuinely good and just, a pathway to God and to the splendors of eternity. This is the vision of Building Up the Body of Christ.”

By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Narrated By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Produced by Vardan Sargsyan ISBN: 978-0-934728-05-8 “We American-Armenians of the early third millennium have the rare opportunity to restore our Church to its traditional stature in Armenian life,” writes Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan, in his thoughtful consideration of the present status—and future potential—of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of America's Eastern Diocese. Inspired by the Apostle Paul's classic vision of the Church in the Epistle to the Ephesians, Building Up the Body of Christ: The Treasure of the Armenian Church for Our People Today presents a vision for his flock that encompasses the full spiritual richness of the Armenian Church's mission, rooted in the richly fertile soil of her culture and tradition. Bishop Daniel's message to individual faithful, local church parishes and the Diocese overall is ambitious in scope and urgent in tone. His heartfelt exhortation concludes with practical guidance on questions of education, service, worship, outreach, and governance. “We want our Church to be a place of dignity, holiness and hope in a world where these virtues are in short supply,” he writes; “a community where the laurels of Armenia's Christian past are made relevant and life-giving today. We want our Church to be a portal to all that is genuinely good and just, a pathway to God and to the splendors of eternity. This is the vision of Building Up the Body of Christ.”

By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Narrated By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Produced by Vardan Sargsyan ISBN: 978-0-934728-05-8 “We American-Armenians of the early third millennium have the rare opportunity to restore our Church to its traditional stature in Armenian life,” writes Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan, in his thoughtful consideration of the present status—and future potential—of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of America's Eastern Diocese. Inspired by the Apostle Paul's classic vision of the Church in the Epistle to the Ephesians, Building Up the Body of Christ: The Treasure of the Armenian Church for Our People Today presents a vision for his flock that encompasses the full spiritual richness of the Armenian Church's mission, rooted in the richly fertile soil of her culture and tradition. Bishop Daniel's message to individual faithful, local church parishes and the Diocese overall is ambitious in scope and urgent in tone. His heartfelt exhortation concludes with practical guidance on questions of education, service, worship, outreach, and governance. “We want our Church to be a place of dignity, holiness and hope in a world where these virtues are in short supply,” he writes; “a community where the laurels of Armenia's Christian past are made relevant and life-giving today. We want our Church to be a portal to all that is genuinely good and just, a pathway to God and to the splendors of eternity. This is the vision of Building Up the Body of Christ.”

By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Narrated By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Produced by Vardan Sargsyan ISBN: 978-0-934728-05-8 “We American-Armenians of the early third millennium have the rare opportunity to restore our Church to its traditional stature in Armenian life,” writes Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan, in his thoughtful consideration of the present status—and future potential—of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of America's Eastern Diocese. Inspired by the Apostle Paul's classic vision of the Church in the Epistle to the Ephesians, Building Up the Body of Christ: The Treasure of the Armenian Church for Our People Today presents a vision for his flock that encompasses the full spiritual richness of the Armenian Church's mission, rooted in the richly fertile soil of her culture and tradition. Bishop Daniel's message to individual faithful, local church parishes and the Diocese overall is ambitious in scope and urgent in tone. His heartfelt exhortation concludes with practical guidance on questions of education, service, worship, outreach, and governance. “We want our Church to be a place of dignity, holiness and hope in a world where these virtues are in short supply,” he writes; “a community where the laurels of Armenia's Christian past are made relevant and life-giving today. We want our Church to be a portal to all that is genuinely good and just, a pathway to God and to the splendors of eternity. This is the vision of Building Up the Body of Christ.”

By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Narrated By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Produced by Vardan Sargsyan ISBN: 978-0-934728-05-8 “We American-Armenians of the early third millennium have the rare opportunity to restore our Church to its traditional stature in Armenian life,” writes Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan, in his thoughtful consideration of the present status—and future potential—of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of America's Eastern Diocese. Inspired by the Apostle Paul's classic vision of the Church in the Epistle to the Ephesians, Building Up the Body of Christ: The Treasure of the Armenian Church for Our People Today presents a vision for his flock that encompasses the full spiritual richness of the Armenian Church's mission, rooted in the richly fertile soil of her culture and tradition. Bishop Daniel's message to individual faithful, local church parishes and the Diocese overall is ambitious in scope and urgent in tone. His heartfelt exhortation concludes with practical guidance on questions of education, service, worship, outreach, and governance. “We want our Church to be a place of dignity, holiness and hope in a world where these virtues are in short supply,” he writes; “a community where the laurels of Armenia's Christian past are made relevant and life-giving today. We want our Church to be a portal to all that is genuinely good and just, a pathway to God and to the splendors of eternity. This is the vision of Building Up the Body of Christ.”

By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Narrated By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Produced by Vardan Sargsyan ISBN: 978-0-934728-05-8 “We American-Armenians of the early third millennium have the rare opportunity to restore our Church to its traditional stature in Armenian life,” writes Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan, in his thoughtful consideration of the present status—and future potential—of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of America's Eastern Diocese. Inspired by the Apostle Paul's classic vision of the Church in the Epistle to the Ephesians, Building Up the Body of Christ: The Treasure of the Armenian Church for Our People Today presents a vision for his flock that encompasses the full spiritual richness of the Armenian Church's mission, rooted in the richly fertile soil of her culture and tradition. Bishop Daniel's message to individual faithful, local church parishes and the Diocese overall is ambitious in scope and urgent in tone. His heartfelt exhortation concludes with practical guidance on questions of education, service, worship, outreach, and governance. “We want our Church to be a place of dignity, holiness and hope in a world where these virtues are in short supply,” he writes; “a community where the laurels of Armenia's Christian past are made relevant and life-giving today. We want our Church to be a portal to all that is genuinely good and just, a pathway to God and to the splendors of eternity. This is the vision of Building Up the Body of Christ.”

By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Narrated By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Produced by Vardan Sargsyan ISBN: 978-0-934728-05-8 “We American-Armenians of the early third millennium have the rare opportunity to restore our Church to its traditional stature in Armenian life,” writes Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan, in his thoughtful consideration of the present status—and future potential—of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of America's Eastern Diocese. Inspired by the Apostle Paul's classic vision of the Church in the Epistle to the Ephesians, Building Up the Body of Christ: The Treasure of the Armenian Church for Our People Today presents a vision for his flock that encompasses the full spiritual richness of the Armenian Church's mission, rooted in the richly fertile soil of her culture and tradition. Bishop Daniel's message to individual faithful, local church parishes and the Diocese overall is ambitious in scope and urgent in tone. His heartfelt exhortation concludes with practical guidance on questions of education, service, worship, outreach, and governance. “We want our Church to be a place of dignity, holiness and hope in a world where these virtues are in short supply,” he writes; “a community where the laurels of Armenia's Christian past are made relevant and life-giving today. We want our Church to be a portal to all that is genuinely good and just, a pathway to God and to the splendors of eternity. This is the vision of Building Up the Body of Christ.”

By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Narrated By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Produced by Vardan Sargsyan ISBN: 978-0-934728-05-8 “We American-Armenians of the early third millennium have the rare opportunity to restore our Church to its traditional stature in Armenian life,” writes Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan, in his thoughtful consideration of the present status—and future potential—of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of America's Eastern Diocese. Inspired by the Apostle Paul's classic vision of the Church in the Epistle to the Ephesians, Building Up the Body of Christ: The Treasure of the Armenian Church for Our People Today presents a vision for his flock that encompasses the full spiritual richness of the Armenian Church's mission, rooted in the richly fertile soil of her culture and tradition. Bishop Daniel's message to individual faithful, local church parishes and the Diocese overall is ambitious in scope and urgent in tone. His heartfelt exhortation concludes with practical guidance on questions of education, service, worship, outreach, and governance. “We want our Church to be a place of dignity, holiness and hope in a world where these virtues are in short supply,” he writes; “a community where the laurels of Armenia's Christian past are made relevant and life-giving today. We want our Church to be a portal to all that is genuinely good and just, a pathway to God and to the splendors of eternity. This is the vision of Building Up the Body of Christ.”

By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Narrated By Bishop Daniel Findikyan Produced by Vardan Sargsyan ISBN: 978-0-934728-05-8 “We American-Armenians of the early third millennium have the rare opportunity to restore our Church to its traditional stature in Armenian life,” writes Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan, in his thoughtful consideration of the present status—and future potential—of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of America's Eastern Diocese. Inspired by the Apostle Paul's classic vision of the Church in the Epistle to the Ephesians, Building Up the Body of Christ: The Treasure of the Armenian Church for Our People Today presents a vision for his flock that encompasses the full spiritual richness of the Armenian Church's mission, rooted in the richly fertile soil of her culture and tradition. Bishop Daniel's message to individual faithful, local church parishes and the Diocese overall is ambitious in scope and urgent in tone. His heartfelt exhortation concludes with practical guidance on questions of education, service, worship, outreach, and governance. “We want our Church to be a place of dignity, holiness and hope in a world where these virtues are in short supply,” he writes; “a community where the laurels of Armenia's Christian past are made relevant and life-giving today. We want our Church to be a portal to all that is genuinely good and just, a pathway to God and to the splendors of eternity. This is the vision of Building Up the Body of Christ.”

Why do people celebrate Christmas on different days? What does Christmas look like in the Armenian Church? Karin and Lori help us answer these questions.

Learn the "why's" behind the "what's" in the Armenian Church.  

Gwyn's sharing how many of the New Testament men lived out the great commission, enduring persecution even to the point of death. Find us on Facebook and Instagram Sign up for our newsletter here Send us a message to openthewordpodcast@gmail.com Peter requested to be crucified upside down. Both Peter and Paul were both eventually martyred in Rome about 66 A.D., during the persecution under Emperor Nero. Paul was beheaded by the sword. Peter was crucified upside down at his request, since he did not feel he was worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. Philip had a far reaching ministry in Carthage North Africa and in Asia Minor. He converted the wife of a Roman proconsul who retaliated by having Philip arrested, scourged and thrown into prison. Afterwards he was crucified at Heliopolis, in Phrygia A.D. 54 Mattias who replaced the Betrayer Judas in the closed group of twelve apostles to Israel was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria. Andrew was crucified by a Roman Proconsule on a X shaped cross. Andrew preached in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, and in Greece and was crucified on an “X”-shaped cross. It is known today as St. Andrew's Cross. James who was the pastor of the Jerusalem church; step brother of Jesus and author of the Epistle died in 62 A.D., by his fellow brethren he tried so desperately to reach. The Sanhedrin Pharisees and Sadducees assembled demanding him to declare from the galleries that Jesus was not the Messiah. He went to the roof and instead of blaspheming the name he shouted out Jesus is the Son of God and judge of the world. Enraged the Jews hurled him off the temple he was then beaten and as he was stoned He prayed as Jesus did, “Father forgive them they know not what they do.” He finally had his life ended with a club. James the son of Zebedee was beheaded, this is recorded in Acts 12:1-3: “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also.” Simon the Zealot was ministering in Persia, and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god according to Foxes book of Martyrs Bartholomew(Nathaniel) ministered in Asia Minor and India. Armenian Church claimed him as their founder. tradition of the church suggests he was flayed alive in Armenia. Matthew(Levi) went to Persia, Macedonia, Syria, Parthia, Media, and Ethiopia bringing good news to Kings. Thomas traveled to India, suggested that he died by Spear for his faith. James the less(son of Alphaeus): tradition suggests that he was crucified in the Sinai or in Persia or stoned to death in Jerusalem. John the Beloved was the only disciple not to be martyred. Died in Ephesus at about 100 AD. Cared for Mary till her death. led the church from Ephesus in later times. Resources Mentioned: The Voice of the Martyrs Fox's Book of the Martyrs

I talk about leaving the Armenian Church, the sinister coronavirus vaccination campaign, the decline of medical doctors, disturbing transgender propaganda, angry signs from God, the latest pronouncements from evil henchman Klaus Schwab, and a lot more. Check out my new book: https://www.rooshv.com/american-pilgrim If you're enjoying my podcasts, consider making a donation: https://bitly.com/donate-to-roosh Read new articles on my blog: https://www.rooshv.com Join the community at Roosh V Forum: https://www.rooshvforum.com

A short disclaimer: We are two friends. The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not represent the views of the Armenian Church, the Armenian Church hierarchy, or any Armenian Church parish. Our intention is to record the weekly Gospel readings as chanted in the Armenian church and spark discussion around the Gospel readings themselves.

Bill interviews Bishop Daniel Findikyan about the Armenian Church and the Eastern Diocese's “Building Up the Body of Christ” vision.

St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS), Yonkers, NY, and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Armonk, NY, celebrated fifty years of collaboration with a special event Friday, October 11, on SVOTS' campus. The event included the annual Father John Meyendorff Memorial Lecture, delivered by SVOTS/St. Nersess Alumnus His Grace, Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America and President of St. Nersess Seminary.

St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS), Yonkers, NY, and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Armonk, NY, celebrated fifty years of collaboration with a special event Friday, October 11, on SVOTS' campus. The event included the annual Father John Meyendorff Memorial Lecture, delivered by SVOTS/St. Nersess Alumnus His Grace, Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America and President of St. Nersess Seminary.

The title of this episode is Coping.It's time once again to lay down our focus on the Western Church to see what's happening in the East.With the arrival of Modernity, the Church in Europe and the New World was faced with the challenge of coping in what we'll call the post-Constantine era. The social environment was no longer favorable toward Christianity. The institutional Church could no longer count on the political support it enjoyed since the 4th C. The 18th C saw Western Christianity faced with the challenge of secular states that may not be outright hostile but tended to ignore it.In the East, Christianity faced far more than benign neglect for a long time. When Constantinople fell in 1453 to the Turks, The Faith came under a repressive regime that alternately neglected and persecuted it.While during the Middle Ages in Europe, Popes were often more powerful than Kings, the Byzantine Emperor ruled the Church. Greek patriarchs were functionaries under his lead. If they failed to comply with his dictates, they were deposed and replaced by those who would. When the Emperor decided reuniting with Rome was required to save the empire, the reunion was accomplished against the counsel of Church leaders. Then, just a  year later, Constantinople fell to the Ottomans. Many Eastern Christians regarded this calamity as a blessing. They viewed it as liberation from a tyrannical emperor who'd forced them into a union with a heretical church in Rome.The new Ottoman regime initially granted the Church limited freedom. Since the patriarch fled to Rome, the conqueror of Constantinople, Mohammed II, allowed the bishops to elect a new patriarch.  He was given both civil and ecclesiastical authority over Christians in the East. In the capital, half the churches were converted to mosques. The other half were allowed to continue worship without much change.In 1516, the Ottomans conquered the ancient seat of Middle Eastern Christianity in Syria and Palestine. The church there was put under the oversight of the Patriarch of Constantinople. Then, when Egypt fell a year later, the Patriarch of Alexandria was given authority over all Christians in Egypt. Under the Ottomans, Eastern Church Patriarchs had vast power over Christians in their realm, but they only served at the Sultan's pleasure and were often deposed for resisting his policies.In 1629, the Patriarch of Constantinople, Cyril Lucaris, wrote what was considered by many, a Protestant treatise titled Confession of Faith. He was then deposed and executed. Fifty years later, a synod condemned him as a “Calvinist heretic.” But by the 18th C, the Reformation wasn't a concern of the Eastern Church. What was, was the arrival of Western philosophy and science. In the 19th C, when Greece gained independence from Turkey, the debate became political. Greek nationalism advocated Western methods of academics and scholarship. The Greeks also demanded that the Greek Church ought to be independent of the Patriarch of Constantinople. Conservatives wanted to subsume scholarship under tradition and retain allegiance to Constantinople.During the 19th and early 20th Cs, the Ottoman Empire broke up, allowing national Orthodox churches to form in Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. The tension between nationalist and conservative Orthodoxy dominated the scene. In the period between the two world wars, the Patriarch of Constantinople acknowledged the autonomy of Orthodox churches in the Balkans, Estonia, Latvia, and Czechoslovakia.Early in the 20th C, the ancient patriarchates of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch were ruled by Arabs. But the newly formed states existed under the shadow of Western powers. This was a time when out of a desire to identify with larger groups who could back them up politically and militarily, a large number of Middle Eastern Christians became either Catholic or Protestant. But an emergent Arab nationalism reacted against Western influence. The growth of both Protestantism and Catholicism was curbed. By the second half of the 20th C, the only nations where Eastern Orthodox Christianity retained its identity as a state church were Greece and Cyprus.The fall of Constantinople in 1453 was viewed by Russian Christians as God's punishment for its reunion with the heretical Rome. They regarded Moscow as the “3rd Rome” and the new capital whose task was to uphold Orthodoxy. In 1547, Ivan IV took the title “czar,” drawn from the ancient “Caesar” a proper name that had come to mean “emperor.” The Russian rulers deemed themselves the spiritual heirs to the Roman Empire. Fifty years later, the Metropolitan of Moscow took the title of Patriarch. The Russian Church then churned out a barrage of polemics against the Greek Orthodox Church, Roman Catholics, and Protestants. By the 17th C, the Russian Orthodox Church was so independent when attempts were made by some to re-integrate the Church with its Orthodox brothers, it led to a schism in the Russian church and a bloody rebellion.Now—I just used the term “metropolitan.” We mentioned this in an earlier episode, but now would be a good time for a recap on terms.The Roman Catholic Church is presided over by a Pope whose authority is total, complete. The Eastern Orthodox Church is led by a Patriarch, but his authority isn't as far-reaching as the Pope. Technically, his authority extends just to his church. But realistically, because his church is located in an important center, his influence extends to all the churches within the sphere of his city. While there is only one pope, there might be several Patriarchs who lead various branches of the Eastern Orthodox Church.A Metropolitan equates loosely to an arch-bishop; someone who leads a church that influences the churches around it.Peter the Great's desire to westernize a recalcitrant Russia led to an interest on the part of Russian clergy in both Catholic and Protestant theology. Orthodoxy wasn't abandoned; it was simply embellished with new methods. The Kievan school adopted a Catholic flavor while the followers of Theophanes Prokopovick leaned toward Protestantism. In the late 19th C, a Slavophile movement under the leadership of Alexis Khomiakov applied some of Hegel's analytics to make a synthesis called sobornost; a merging of the Catholic idea of authority with the Protestant view of freedom.Obviously, the Russian Revolution at the beginning of the 20th C put an end to all this with the arrival of a different Western Philosophy - Marxism. In 1918, the Church was officially separated from the State. The Russian Constitution of 1936 guaranteed “freedom for religious worship” but also “freedom for anti-religious propaganda.” In the 1920s, religious instruction in schools was outlawed. Seminaries were closed. After the death of the Russian Patriarch in 1925, the Church was forbidden to name a successor until 1943. The State needed all the help it could get rallying the population in the war with Germany. The seminaries were re-opened and permission was given to print a limited number of religious books.In the late 20th C, after 70 years of Communist rule, the Russian Orthodox Church still had 60 million members.In a recent conversation I had with a woman who grew up in Czechoslovakia during the Soviet Era, she remarked that under the Communists the Church survived, though few attended services. Freedom of religion was the official policy under the Soviets. But in reality, those who professed faith in God were marked down and passed over for education, housing, and other amenities, thin as they were under the harsh Soviet heel. You could be a Christian under Communism; but if you were, you were pretty lonely.Several years ago, when Russia opened to the rest of the world, I had a chance to go in with a team to teach the Inductive Study method as part of Russia's attempt to teach its youth morality and ethics.A senior citizen attended the class who between sessions regaled us with tales of being a believer under Communism. He looked like something straight out of an old, grimy black and white photo of a wizened old man with thinning white hair whose wrinkled face speaks volumes in the suffering he'd endured. He told us that he'd spent several stints in Russian prisons for refusing to kowtow to the Party line and steadfastly cleaving to his faith in God.It's remarkable the Church survived under Communism in the Soviet Bloc. Stories of the fall of the Soviets in the early '80s are often the tale of a resurgent Church.There are other Orthodox churches in various parts of the world. There's the Orthodox Church of Japan, China, and Korea. These communions, begun by Russian missionaries, are today, indigenous and autonomous, with a national clergy and membership, as well as a liturgy conducted in their native tongue.Due to social strife, political upheavals, persecution, and the general longing for a better life, large numbers of Orthodox believers have moved to distant lands. But as they located in their new home, they often transported the old tensions. Orthodoxy believes there can only be a single Orthodox congregation in a city. So, what to do when there are Greek, Russian or some other flavor of Eastern Orthodox believers all sharing the same community?Keep in mind not all churches in the East are part of Eastern Orthodoxy. Since the Christological controversies in the 5th C, a number of churches that disagreed with established creeds maintained their independence. In Persia, most Christians refused to refer to Mary as Theotokos = the Mother of God. They were labeled as Nestorians and declared heretical; though as we saw way back when we were looking at all this, Nestorius himself was not a heretic. Nestorians are more frequently referred to as Assyrian Christians, with a long history. During the Middle Ages, the Assyrian church had many members with missions extending as far as China. In modern times, the Assyrian Church has suffered severe persecution from Muslims. Early in the 20th C and again more recently, persecution decimated its members. Recent predations by ISIS were aimed at these brethren.Those churches that refused to accept the findings of the Council of Chalcedon were called Monophysites because they elevated the deity of Christ over His humanity to such a degree it seemed to make that humanity irrelevant. The largest of these groups were the Copts of Egypt and Ethiopia. The Ethiopian church was the last Eastern church to receive State support. That support ended with the overthrow of Haile Selassie in 1974. The ancient Syrian Monophysite Church, known more popularly as Jacobite, continued in Syria and Iraq. Its head was the Patriarch of Antioch who lived in Damascus. Technically under this patriarchate, but in reality autonomous, the Syrian Church in India has half a million members.As we saw in a previous episode, the Armenian Church also refused to accept the Chalcedonian Creed, because it resented the lack of support from Rome when the Persians invaded. When the Turks conquered Armenia, the fierce loyalty of the Armenians to their faith became one more spark that lit the fuse of ethnic hostility. In 1895, 96, and again in 1914 when the world was distracted elsewhere by The Great War, thousands of Armenians living under Turkish rule were massacred. A million escaped to Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Greece, France, and other Western nations where the memory of the Armenian Holocaust lives on and continues to play an important role in international relations and the development of foreign policy.

This episode of Communio Santorum is titled, “And In the East – Part 1.”The 5th C Church Father Jerome wrote, “[Jesus] was present in all places with Thomas in India, with Peter in Rome, with Paul in Illyria, with Titus in Crete, with Andrew in Greece, with each apostle . . . in his own separate region.”So far we've been following the track of most western studies of history, both secular & religious, by concentrating on what took place in the West & Roman Empire. Even though we've delved briefly into the Eastern Roman Empire, as Lars Brownworth aptly reminds us in his outstanding podcast, 12 Byzantine Emperors, even after the West fell in the 5th Century, the Eastern Empire continued to think of & call itself Roman. It's later historians who refer to it as the Byzantine Empire.Recently we've seen the focus of attention shift to the East with the Christological controversies of the 4th & 5th Cs. In this episode, we'll stay in the East and follow the track of the expansion of the Faith as it moved Eastward. This is an amazing chapter often neglected in traditional treatments of church history. It's well captured by Philip Jenkins in his book, The Lost History of Christianity.We start all the way back at the beginning with the apostle Thomas.  He's linked by pretty solid tradition to the spread of Christianity into the East. In the quote we started with from the early 5th C Church Father Jerome, we learn that the Apostle Thomas carried the Gospel East all the way to India.In the early 4th C, Eusebius also attributed the expansion of the faith in India to Thomas. Though these traditions do face some dispute, there are still so-called ‘Thomas Christians' in the southern Indian state of Kerala today. They use an Aramaic form of worship that had to have been transported there very early. A tomb & shrine in honor of Thomas at Mylapore is built of bricks used by a Roman trading colony but was abandoned after ad 50. There's abundant evidence of several Roman trading colonies along the coast of India, with hundreds of 1st C coins & ample evidence of Jewish communities. Jews were known to be a significant part of Roman trade ventures. Their communities were prime stopping places for the efforts of Christian missionaries as they followed the Apostle Paul's model as described in the Book of Acts.A song commemorating Thomas' role in bringing the faith to India, wasn't committed to writing till 1601 but was said to have been passed on in Kerala for 50 generations. Many trading vessels sailed to India in the 1st C when the secret of the monsoon winds was finally discovered, so it's quite possible Thomas did indeed make the journey.  Once the monsoons were finally figured out, over 100 trade ships a year crossed from the Red Sea to India.Jesus told the disciples to take the Gospel to the ends of the Earth. While they were slow to catch on to the need to leave Jerusalem, persecution eventually convinced them to get moving. It's not hard to imagine Thomas considering a voyage to India as a way to literally fulfill the command of Christ. India would have seemed the end of the Earth.Thomas's work in India began in the northwest region of the country. A 4th C work called The Acts of Thomas says that he led a ruler there named Gundafor to faith. That story was rejected by most scholars & critics until an inscription was discovered in 1890 along with some coins which verify the 20-year reign in the 1st C of a King Gundafor.After planting the church in the North, Thomas traveled by ship to the Malabar Coast in the South. He planted several churches, mainly along the Periyar River.  He preached to all classes of people and had about 17,000 converts from all Indian castes. Stone crosses were erected at the places where churches were founded, and they became centers for pilgrimages. Thomas was careful to appoint local leadership for the churches he founded.He then traveled overland to the Southeast Indian coast & the area around Madras. Another local king and many of his subjects were converted. But the Brahmins, highest of the Indian castes, were concerned the Gospel would undermine a cultural system that was to their advantage, so they convinced the king at Mylapore, to arrest & interrogate him. Thomas was sentenced to death & executed in AD 72. The church in that area then came under persecution and many Christians fled for refuge to Kerala.A hundred years later, according to both Eusebius & Jerome, a theologian from the great school at Alexandria named Pantaenus, traveled to India to “preach Christ to the Brahmins.”[1]Serving to confirm Thomas' work in India is the writing of Bar-Daisan. At the opening of the 3rd Century, he spoke of entire tribes following Jesus in North India who claimed to have been converted by Thomas.  They had numerous books and relics to prove it. By AD 226 there were bishops of the Church in the East in northwest India, Afghanistan & Baluchistan, with thousands of laymen and clergy engaging in missionary activity. Such a well-established Christian community means the presence of the Faith there for the previous several decades at the least.The first church historian, Eusebius of Caesarea, to whom we owe so much of our information about the early Church, attributed to Thomas the spread of the Gospel to the East. As those familiar with the history of the Roman Empire know, the Romans faced continuous grief in the East by one Persian group after another. Their contest with the Parthians & Sassanids is a thing of legend. The buffer zone between the Romans & Persians was called Osrhoene with its capital city of Edessa, located at the border of what today is northern Syria & eastern Turkey. According to Eusebius, Thomas received a request from Abgar, king of Edessa, for healing & responded by sending Thaddaeus, one of the disciples mentioned in Luke 10.[2] Thus, the Gospel took root there. There was a sizeable Jewish community in Edessa from which the Gospel made several converts. Word got back to Israel of the Church community growing in the city & when persecution broke out in the Roman Empire, many refugees made their way East to settle in a place that welcomed them.Edessa became a center of the Syrian-speaking church which began sending missionaries East into Mesopotamia, North into Persia, Central Asia, then even further eastward. The missionary Mari managed to plant a church in the Persian capital of Ctesiphon, which became a center of missionary outreach in its own right.By the late 2nd C, Christianity had spread throughout Media, Persia, Parthia, and Bactria. The 2 dozen bishops who oversaw the region carried out their ministry more as itinerant missionaries than by staying in a single city and church. They were what we refer to as tent-makers; earning their way as merchants & craftsmen as they shared the Faith where ever they went.By AD 280 the churches of Mesopotamia & Persia adopted the title of “Catholic” to acknowledge their unity with the Western church during the last days of persecution by the Roman Emperors. In 424 the Mesopotamian church held a council at the city of Ctesiphon where they elected their first lead bishop to have jurisdiction over the whole Church of the East, including India & Ceylon, known today as Sri Lanka. Ctesiphon was an important point on the East-West trade routes which extended to India, China, Java, & Japan.The shift of ecclesiastical authority was away from Edessa, which in 216 became a tributary of Rome. The establishment of an independent patriarchate contributed to a more favorable attitude by the Persians, who no longer had to fear an alliance with the hated Romans.To the west of Persia was the ancient kingdom of Armenia, which had been a political football between the Persians & Romans for generations. Both the Persians & Romans used Armenia as a place to try out new diplomatic maneuvers with each other. The poor Armenians just wanted to be left alone, but that was not to be, given their location between the two empires. Armenia has the historical distinction of being the first state to embrace Christianity as a national religion, even before the conversion of Constantine the Great in the early 4th C.The one who brought the Gospel to Armenia was a member of the royal family named Gregory, called “the Illuminator.” While still a boy, Gregory's family was exiled from Armenia to Cappadocia when his father was thought to have been part of a plot to assassinate the King. As a grown man who'd become a Christian, Gregory returned to Armenia where he shared the Faith with King Tiridates who ruled at the dawn of the 4th C. Tiridates was converted & Gregory's son succeeded him as bishop of the new Armenian church. This son attended the Council of Nicea in 325. Armenian Christianity has remained a distinctive and important brand of the Faith, with 5 million still professing allegiance to the Armenian Church.[3]Though persecution came to an official end in the Roman Empire with Constantine's Edict of Toleration in 313, it BEGAN for the church in Persia in 340. The primary cause for persecution was political. When Rome became Christian, its old enemy turned anti-Christian. Up to that point, the situation had been reversed. For the first 300 hundred years, it was in the West Christians were persecuted & Persia was a refuge. The Parthians were religiously tolerant while their less tolerant Sassanid successors were too busy fighting Rome to waste time or effort on the Christians among them.But in 315 a letter from Constantine to his Persian counterpart Shapur II  triggered the beginnings of an ominous change in the Persian attitude toward Christians. Constantine believed he was writing to help his fellow believers in Persia but succeeded only in exposing them. He wrote to the young Persian ruler: “I rejoice to hear that the fairest provinces of Persia are adorned with Christians. Since you are so powerful and pious, I commend them to your care, and leave them in your protection.”The schemes & intrigues that had flowed for generations between Rome & the Persians were so intense this letter moved Shapur to become suspicious the Christians were a kind of 5th column, working from inside the Empire to bring the Sassanids down. Any doubts were dispelled 20 years later when Constantine gathered his forces in the East for war. Eusebius says Roman bishops accompanied the army into battle. To make matters worse, in Persia, one of their own preachers predicted Rome would defeat the Sassanids.Little wonder then, when persecution began shortly after, the first accusation brought against Christians was that they aided the enemy. Shapur ordered a double taxation on Christians & held their bishop responsible for collecting it. Shapur knew Christians tended to be poor since so many had come from the West fleeing persecution, so the bishop would be hard-pressed to come up w/the money. But Bishop Simon refused to be intimidated. He declared the tax unjust and said, “I'm no tax collector! I'm a shepherd of the Lord's flock.” Shapur counter-declared the church was in rebellion & the killings began.A 2nd decree ordered the destruction of churches and the execution of clergy who refused to participate in the official Sassanid-sponsored sun-worship. Bishop Simon was seized & brought before Shapur. Offered a huge bribe to capitulate, he refused. The Persians promised if he alone would renounce Christ, the rest of the Christian community wouldn't be harmed, but that if he refused he'd be condemning all Christians to destruction. When the Christians heard of this, they rose up, protesting en masse that this was shameful. So Bishop Simon & a large number of the clergy were executed.For the next 20 years, Christians were hunted down from one end of Persia to the other. At times it was a general massacre. But more often it was organized elimination of the church's leaders.Another form of suppression was the search for that part of the Christian community that was most vulnerable to persecution; Persians who'd converted from Zoroastrianism. The faith spread first among non-Persians in the population, especially Jews & Syrians. But by the beginning of the 4th C, Persians in increasing numbers were attracted to the Christian faith. For such converts, church membership often meant the loss of everything - family, property rights, even life.The martyrdom of Bishop Simon and the years of persecution that followed gutted the Persian church of its leadership & organization. As soon as the Christians of Ctesiphon elected a new bishop, he was seized & killed. Adding to the anti-Roman motivation of the government's role in the persecutions was a deep undercurrent of Zoroastrian fanaticism that came as a result of the conversion of so many of their number to Christianity; it was a shocking example of religious envy.Shortly before Shapur II's death in 379, persecution slackened. It had lasted for 40 years and only ended with his death. When at last the suffering ceased, it's estimated close to 200,000 Persian Christians had been put to death.[1] Yates, T. (2004). The expansion of Christianity. Lion Histories Series (28–29). Oxford, England: Lion Publishing.[2] Yates, T. (2004). The expansion of Christianity. Lion Histories Series (24). Oxford, England: Lion Publishing.[3] Yates, T. (2004). The expansion of Christianity. Lion Histories Series (25). Oxford, England: Lion Publishing.

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.netLook for The Next Step on blubrry.comNow 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 SpeechTranscript: http://www.inhisshoes.org/documents/MLK_dream.pdfHarry Hagopian Podcast MENA: http://www.premier.org.uk/menaProduced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.netLook for The Next Step on blubrry.comNow on Stitcher Radio! Play Now: 

Next Step #261: The symbiotic relationship between man and woman, Church and Christ are revealed during a Glendale wedding. Listen in as Fr. Vazken shares a story within a story. The tragedy of not forgiving and not moving forward - it effects more than you might imagine. Prayers for the graduate coming up.Song: Sarkis Kazaryan, Rachmaninoff  Anush's Pomegranate Seed: "What's Hair Got to Do with It?" Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.netLook for The Next Step on blubrry.comNow on Stitcher Radio! 

Next Step #247: Pope Benedict XVI's Twitter account puts up a vacancy sign "Sede Vacant" minutes after his last Tweet. Dynamic/Alive -It's all about moving forward. A healthy understanding to the Roman Catholic Church, for the Orthodox Christian - an Armodoxy view. Peter the Rock and the Confessional Rock: Christ the Center. Sunrise "Arevakal" Confession - "The Way, the Truth and the Life, Christ"Anush's Pomegranate Seeds: "Loving Divorce"Song: Armenian Public Radio "Retrograde" Apostolic Succession in the Armenian Church Pope Benedict's Tweets Archived Lenten Journey: http://armodoxy.blogspot.comSun Sash: http://sunsash.blogspot.comProduced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.netLook for The Next Step on blubrry.comNow on Stitcher Radio!