We
did it! The annual 30 Hour Famine, organized by In His Shoes took place on April 26 and 27 at Glendale Community College. This year over 40 people fasted in what has become one of the traditions of the In His Shoes campaign to aid world hunger.
Participants
spent 30 hours fasting and learning about the pain and struggle of the
rest of the world. Under the direction of Fr. Vazken Movsesian, the
Famine participants
heard from various professionals regarding activism in their communities
and their world. The speakers included Dn. Vahe Abovian, Christopher
Armen, Esq., Anush Avejic, David Mgrublian and Richard Melikian. The
evening hours were spent in meditation, song and prayer. Armenian folk
singer Gor Mkhitarian, fasted with the group and gave a very personal
and small recital for the group, inviting members to jam along. Artist
Gregory
Beylerian made the tradition complete by leading the drum
circle.
After 30 hours the famine ended by breaking the fast - breakfast - over the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Communion was administered at the St. Peter Armenian Church Youth Ministries Center in Glendale, where the congregation became the first to hear the announcement: $125,000 was collected by these amazing people. (Subsequently, the amount increased to $178,000 through the generosity of new donors.)
Fr. Vazken, in his sermon, recounted how the Turks had wanted to annihilate Armenians to the extent of having only one Armenian left, and that one in a museum. He said, that not only are we now surviving, we are creating, we are giving. The sons and daughters of the "Starving Armenians" are now feeding the world with this outreach program which has collected well over a half-a-million dollars since its inception.
Long time In His Shoes member Ani Burr, took on the project and organized the famine this year. At the end of the famine, both Ani and Suzie Shaterevyan, CIO of IHS, were decorated with the IHS cross, a special symbol of distinction given to leaders who move the community to action.
Participants
in the famine included Robert Sammis, a member and pilgrim from the St.
Mark's Episcopal Church as well as Rev. Suzanne Commons, from the Church
of Truth in Pasadena.
Join MyChurch to read blogs and extensive stories and coverage of the famine. More pictures to come soon.
Pictured above - in a victory pose are the participants and three young participants - Anna, Zarouhi and Yeraz. A moment of escape from hunger - Karine Armen and Michael Youssefpour dance, while Dolce Wang and Hagop Seropian music-away some free time.
A Silent Auction kicked off the fundraising drive on April 20. Hosted by Margaret & David Mgrublian, at their Pasadena home, supporters of the Famine gathered for an afternoon of information gathering and fellowship. See the pictures on MyChurch.
Good will always win over evil; Love will always triumph over hate...
LISTEN! Directions for Genocide Deliverance - Fr. Vazken's speech at UCSB
An Open Letter from Fr. Vazken...
Dear Famine Participant/Supporter and Friend,
Whether you’re ‘doing’ the Famine, or you’re still considering it, I just want to impress upon you how vital and important your participation is this year.
We are holding the Famine on April 26 to coincide with the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. While many people know that 1.5 Million Armenians were slaughtered by the Turks, many people forget that millions were sent out as refugees, trying to create a life without any resources. The world looked and dismissed our grandparents as “Starving Armenians.”
Through the Famine, we, as children of the “Starving Armenians” are feeding the starving world. 29,000 children die of hunger and hunger related diseases every day. These are kids like our grandmothers or grandfathers – trying to make it in a world that could care less about them. Every dollar you collect goes to aid them!
Think about it… how many people have the opportunity to save a life? And you… you get to save 10’s, 100’s and maybe even a 1000 lives by participating in this year’s 30 Hour Famine. Is there any greater response to Genocide than this? To be a living testimony to the power of Love!
No matter what your reason for doing or supporting the Famine, I believe God has ordained us to do this work. God is asking us to walk in the shoes of others, especially those children that are hungry, because we were once hungry.
If you’re doing the Famine, look forward to our 30 Hours together. If you’re supporting the Famine – please join us in Pasadena on Sunday, April 20 for our Wine & Cheese Reception and Silent Auction. See our website for details. And for everyone, please join us on Sunday, April 27 for the victory celebration during church services at 11:00AM.
I pray that God give you the strength and endurance for this great challenge.
Prayerfully ~ Fr. Vazken Movsesian
Donate to the Famine now! (Secure)
April events - for the In His Shoes Mission
Complete list on Diocesan Website
April 4 - Burbank High School;
April 12 - CSULA;
April 16 - Calabasas High School;
April 20 - Seattle Armenian Church; April 21 - Homeless Feed;
April 22 - Glendale Community College; April 23 - UCLA; April 24 - USC
Armenian/Episcopal Commemoration - April 23
Thousands
Celebrate Resurrection at Youth Ministries
It was an Easter season like no other, as thousands of faithful passed through the Armenian Church Youth Ministries' Center in Glendale throughout Holy Week. Between Palm Sunday and Easter an uninterrupted flow of people came to the many services that the church offered, along with some very prominent and high ranking clergy of the ancient Armenian Orthodox Church.
On Holy Tuesday, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, officiated and blessed the participants in the 10 Maidens service. He commented that only a handful of Armenian Churches throughout the world commemorated the service, namely in the monasteries and on this obscure corner in Glendale. And so too, through the week, the small outpost in Glendale, known as the Youth Ministries Center became a focal point for people to connect to their ancient roots while living the expressions of their faith in the 21st century.
From the ancient monastery of St. James in Jerusalem, His Eminence Archbishop Aris Shirvanian was the guest celebrant at mass on Holy Thursday - recreating the institution of the Last Supper. During the evening remembrance of the Passion of Jesus Christ, Fr. Vazken, washed the feet of the youngest of the parishioners, in a gesture to remind the people of Christ's humility.
On Great Friday, Fr. Vazken was at the St. Mark Episcopal Church in Glendale. His sermon is part of our archives. (Click here)
His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the highest ranking clergyman in the Western Hemisphere, was the guest preacher - with his words which ushered in the message of Good News: Christ is Resurrected.
The Easter Service at the Youth Ministries created traffic jams both in and outside of the building. Both levels were filled to capacity. The Parish Council, anticipating the crowds had set up simultaneous broadcasts throughout the building.
Did you miss anything? Not if you're here on this website... just click here for SERMONS or sign up for ALL the action at http://www.mychurch.org/StPeterArmenianChurchGlendale
While you're there don't forget to subscribe for FREE Podcasts - which delivers the weekly sermons directly to your computer, iPod or mp3 player.
The Lenten season gave us a unique opportunity for introspection. At the Youth Ministries Center, our organization is always evaluated internally to insure the best in quality for the people we serve as well as our workers. Services are held four times a week, giving workers a chance to enhance their spiritual life with prayer and mediation.
Equally important for our center is the virtual community which keeps growing daily. We have participants from every continent save Antarctica. To this end, we expanded our electronic outreach by working with MyChurch.org, a social networking community for churches. The service is sponsored through the In His Shoes Ministries and sign-up is free to all who wish to be a part of this growing community. Press on the "MyChurch" button on the top of this page to sign up.
Currently there are discussions about the role of the church in issues as pertinent as the War in Iraq and the Genocide in Darfur. Pictures, articles, events, dialog and even Lenten recipes are all waiting for you. Here is a sampling of some of the blogs. Follow the links to read more.
Skid Row - The Movie by Anush Avejic
Women in the Church - part II by Linda Zadoian
Take two Nareg and call me by Fr. Vazken Movsesian
Lent and the Texas Giant by Jeff Andonian
These are only a few of hundreds of blogs, commentaries and information - check them all out. Stay abreast of the events in your particular area and be a part of this dynamic community. Its free, fast and exciting.
Most recently: Preparations for Famine '08 are underway. Get info Pictured above: participants of the 2008 MLK Retreat
Also Check out Fr. Vazken's Sermons - now available as a PodCast or on the MyChurch network.
We have begun to podcast these sermons. You may visit this link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/FrVazkensSermons
to subscribe to podcasts of Fr. Vazken's sermons using any of the available podcatchers, such as iTunes, Google, MyYahoo!, etc.
China, Religious Freedom, Spielberg, Darfur & Genocide
At first glance, the weekly question for "In Theory" might not have made sense for the Armenian Church. China's freedom and the Armenian Church? But our philosophy of walking "In His Shoes" is never more pronounced....
Q: Amid China’s rapid economic growth, the government’s control of religion has reportedly softened slightly. What does the prospect of a religiously free China mean to you and your faith?
A:Religious freedom everywhere is important
to me and my faith. In the Armenian Church, we have never taken that
freedom for granted because we’ve had to struggle to attain and maintain
it. But even more, religious freedom in China strikes a reverberating
chord for us in the Armenian Church.
As we know (and has been articulated by the U.S. State Department) there
is a genocide going on in the Darfur region of Sudan. Today, China is
one of Sudan’s largest suppliers of arms, and in return Sudan is China’s
largest overseas oil project. Official data shows that China now takes
40% of Sudan’s oil output. China can and must play a role in bringing an
end to the genocide in Darfur.
In
our particular parish and through our youth ministry, we vigilantly
follow the news from Darfur and campaign for peace in the region. Being
descendants of genocide survivors ourselves, there is a moral
imperative, no less dictated by our faith, that we stand in the shoes of
others who are going through the sufferings we’ve endured.
And our motivation to do so comes from the possibility of what might
have happened had the world disarmed Turkey at the time of the Armenian
Genocide (1915).
With religious freedom in China, I’m hoping that the same Christian
mandate that moves us to search and work for peace will lean heavily on
the government to end the Darfur genocide. George Bernard Shaw reminds
us, “Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” The
Christian Church, at this vital point in history and the history of the
people of China, cannot bask in its newfound freedom. It must rise to
the occasion and talk the talk of Christ. Religious freedom in China is
only as important as we take this responsibility seriously, in an effort
to bring peace.
-Fr. Vazken Movsesian (GNP - In Theory) 9Feb 08
Keep pressing... "Luminaries press Olympic China over Darfur"
12 Feb 08 - US filmmaker Steven Spielberg Tuesday abandoned his role in the Beijing Olympics, as a host of prominent figures accused China of not doing enough to press its ally Sudan to end devastating violence in Darfur.
"Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these ongoing crimes but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more to end the continuing human suffering," Spielberg said in a statement.
"I have decided to formally announce the end of my involvement as one of the overseas artistic advisors to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games."
And there's more... http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080213/ts_afp/uschinasudanunrestdarfuroly_080213040036
Martin Luther King Jr.
RETREAT focuses on THREE
Champions for justice, equality and self-determination, Martin Luther King Jr., Hrant Dink and Catholicos Mugrdich Khrimian were the focus of this year's retreat: "A Call to Conscience"
January 19 - 21, 2008 ~ Ventura, California
Participants came away from the 5th Annual "Martin Luther King Retreat" energized and renewed. The theme of the retreat this year was "A Call to Conscience." By looking at some of the fundamental writings and speeches of Dr. King, the retreat participants examined their own calling in the world.
Along
with Dr. King's legacy, the works of Hrant Dink and Catholicos Mgrdich Khrimian
were examined for their direction toward self-determination. During the Sunday
morning liturgy, special requiem prayers were also offered to these giants of
justice, marking the 40th year of passing for Dr. King, the first anniversary of
death for Dink and 100 years since the Venerable Khrimian "Hayrig"'s passing.
The retreat was organized by the In His Shoes Ministries as part of its ongoing commitment toward peace through justice. The retreat took place at the Ventura Marriott hotel. Celebrating 25 years in the priesthood, Fr. Vazken Movsesian served as the retreat master.
To receive one of the study guides, write to info@inhisshoes.org
Read what they're saying - on the MyChurch blogs.
Martin Luther King Jr. Retreat - Download the Flyer
Hear Now: Fr. Vazken's Theophany (Christmas) Sermon - Streaming Audio
Christmas
Eve Service
It was a time to sit back
and contemplate the miracle of LOVE on Christmas Eve. And the Youth
Ministries' Center became the spot. Worshippers came to sing and watch
as Baby Jesus was laid in the manger. Daron Momjian, son of Shahe & Arpi
Momjian (pictured to the left), played the part of Jesus.
When the wise men came from the East, though, they were carrying some very rare gifts. Ruby Alice Geragos, Arlin Jonathan Telimi and Alique Shant Zadoian - were "baby gifts" for the baby. Representing gold, frankincense and myrrh, these four babies were brought to the makeshift manger by their fathers representing the wise men.
Pictured to the right with their treasurers, Robert Telimi, Mike Geragos and Shant Zadoian.
For more pictures check out MyChurch or follow this link.
Peace on Earth: A Worthy News Item?
In
this week's "In Theory" section, columnist clergy were asked about the
top religion stories of 2007:The
Religion Newswriters Assn. picked evangelicals’ struggle to select a
presidential candidate as the top religion story of 2007. What do
you think was the top religion story of the year?
A:
Meanwhile, under the tree, toys
are piling up. A steady group of people (and kids) have been placing toys for
the annual 
Ministries' Truck - graciously donated by Peggy & Mike Geragos
(driving with Ruby Alice on board). The Montrose Parade is the largest outdoor Christmas gathering for the
Glendale community. 
The Giving Season: Extending One's Handouts ... Question
of the Week: 
Armenian
Patriarch at the Jefferson Memorial
The first
25 years are the difficult ones..." -
Rev. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian in comments directed to Fr. Vazken at the
conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, marking 25 years of priesthood in the
Armenian Church. 
7x77 Forgiveness Conference serves as an appropriate backdrop for this
video. The artist was gracious enough to allow a sneak preview of the video
this evening - and of course, now it can be viewed on the net:
gatherings on Wednesday, August 29, for young professional. The first
speaker of the 
summer conferences once again
this year with hundreds of young people coming to the New Rochelle, NY
seminary to learn and grow in the Christian fellowship. At the
invitation of the Dean of the Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan
and the Director of Recruiting, Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, the In
His Shoes Mission was invited to present a talk to the college students.
Fr. Vazken and Susan Movsesian attended the conference and presented a
talk on Genocide and the Christian Response. Using lessons learned in
Rwanda and from the 7x77 conference, Fr. Vazken challenged the students
to think beyond the conventions of the church and their faith. Pictured
to the right are the participants of the conference in a photo with
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese.
Congratulations!
events such as the 
force
one of being at a wedding full of joy or just like I said
before, I felt like we were all in Heaven. 
