Change is part of life all around us. Change is the divine, mother force that creates, shapes and sustains the physical world we live in from the distant and giant galaxies to microscopic life forms around us. What is our attitude towards change? Could it be the defining factor explaining the circumstances of our past […]

The French revolution inspired Beethoven, the young revolutionary leader Napoleon captivated his imagination, earned his adoration and gave him hope for fundamental and positive transformation to a better world. It appeared that democracy for Europe was within reach. Unfortunately, it all came to an end for Beethoven when Napoleon, who was called to fight the […]

In the Armenian Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Matenadaran there is a peculiar and precious manuscript kept under the number N6288. It is better known as the Gospel of Haghpat. It was created in 1211 A.D. in the monastery of Haghpat by the request of Ani resident Sahak. Once completed the manuscript was taken to Ani […]

One of the characters of Bill Watterson’s comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes” is a stuffed tiger named Hobbes. Hobbes takes on lifelike proportions when he is alone with a six-year-old Calvin. In one of the stories Hobbes asks Calvin what he is doing for his New Year’s resolution. Calvin responds that he did not make […]

When was babies were brought to church to be baptized, standing next to baptismal font something very interesting and important happened when the priest asked our godfathers the same question three times, over and over, “Godfather, what does this child request”. And each time the godfather would reply quoting the words of St. Paul “faith, […]

Through today’s Gospel reading the church invites us to reflect on the message of the Parable of Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-31). It is a story about a steward who was accused by the landowner of squandering the properties he was managing. He was summoned to a meeting by the landlord and asked to present his […]

During the Great Lent everything around us appears to transform. We intentionally do things that subdue our mood by abstaining from foods and things we enjoy. The black closed curtain separates us from the altar, clergy start using black vestments. The monotone penitential hymns, the dim and dark churches and vigil services usher in sober […]

On Monday morning, after the hassle of who wears what and eats what at school, as we were driving to school Emma suddenly with a very concerned voice said “I still don’t know what my Lent is going to be”. At first, I did not even understand what it meant. She explained that she was […]

What happens to us when we are confronted by unexpected and dire turn of events in our lives? What goes on deep inside the ocean of the human psyche when the very existence of our most cherished values, values forming the bases of our identity and defining who we truly are, are questioned, threatened and […]