Now Online: "The Gift of Armenian Theology and Liturgy to the Wider Church"

11/29/2009

November 29, 2009

Is the Armenian Church’s rich liturgical and theological tradition for Armenians only? Or does it have relevance for the world at large?

Professor Maxwell Johnson, Professor of Liturgical Studies at the University of Notre Dame, delivered a lecture at St. Nersess Seminary last week entitled, The Gift of Armenian Sacramental Theology and Liturgy to the Wider Church.

Dr. Johnson is a Lutheran Pastor and one of the world’s leading authorities on the origins and development of early Christian Liturgy and the history and theology of baptism.

In a fascinating and spirited presentation, Professor Johnson focused on the ecumenical significance for the Armenian theological heritage and liturgical traditions focusing on three areas: Armenian baptismal theology, the sacramentality of the unfailing Word in Armenian liturgical prayers; and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. "In these areas the Armenian Church's tradition can assist the wider church in its own identity an mission today," Dr. Johnson said.

The next lecture in the Seminary's 2009-2010 lecture series entitled, The Armenian Church: A Distinctive Voice, will take place on Monday, December 14 at 7:30PM. Dr. Roberta Ervine, Professor of Armenian Studies at St. Nersess, will lecture on How Armenians Read the Bible.

2 Comments

Apple Orchard to the World link

5/14/2016 12:32:52 am

God does not break bread because he doesn't want anyone to eat it. Neither does God plant an apple tree in a garden so that He can hide it behind a shed. Surely, does God dig a hole in the center of a village to build a well so that He may then say, "Stop! Do not drink!" Behold my Brothers and Sisters, God has not just given the Armenian a single loaf of bread, but he has given us a entire oven, an Orchard, and not just a well but an entire River too. We are His people and he has placed us here in North America to be an oven, an orchard, and a river for all of those around us. How do I know this? I know this because our tears are so vast that they can water an entire orchard. The well that is our sorrow is not hole in the ground; it is so deep that it is abyss that goes to the bottom of the earth, yet joy still springs up from us. The River that is us is the 1, 500 years that the Holy Spirit has been poured into us. No other people can feed all nations. No other people have a well so deep that all people on this earth can drink from it, and no people who have ever lived have been filled with the Holy Spirit as much as have the sons and daughters of the Mountain. Surely God has made us the strangest creates because we have the longest arm of any creature God has ever created. So stretch, - stretch, reach out not just to your neighbor, but reach out across the earth. Why? Because no one else can push their finger out that far. God cast his apples from the Mountain so that they could plant a seed wherever they fell, not fall to the dry American sand and rot. We are our Father, Hayr's Children, why are we here? To heal this country and to save it.

The Donkey and the Tuba link

5/14/2016 12:48:16 am

Do Armenians have something to share to the world?

The Parable of The Donkey and the Tuba

There were these two very old fellows, one a Syrian Christian monk and the other, his friend, an old Armenian monk. Which was which, frankly, I don't remember. They were on their way to a boys’ soccer game at their favorite orphanage. Sorry, but I cannot remember if it was in this place, that place, or just over the fence.

In either case, sure enough, there was this old wooden cart right in the middle of the road, kaschmutza. One wagon wheel had fallen off it, probably from the weight of all the band instruments, – the trombones, the trumpets, kettle drums, and the 3 tubas, as you know those kinds of things are quite heavy. They are very popular instruments although Hayr mer likes my duduk. I think.

And, right there, trying to fit the wheel back on without unloading the whole orchestra were these 3 pastors. Fine looking, healthy fellows – ready to do God’s will. However, they just could not get the axle up into the right position because of all the weight. Still, they kept trying. Plus, to add to their woes, the donkey that had been pulling the cart had dropped dead from exhaustion. There it was, on its side and still in its harness. Dead as the Pharaoh and quite sideways.

As if an old stone could talk, the old Syrian fellow spoke up saying in his broken English, “So, you three brothers looking for help with that axle?” The two old timers started to roll up the sleeves of their worn cassocks. After all, two very, very old monks made up one readly old tired one. The three replied, “No, no, – we got it, – but thank you.”

Then the Armenian monk added, “Are you sure? 10 hands are better than 6?” Yet, the Syrian Christian and the Armenian looked at each other a little perplexed. Even if they put the wheel back on, the 3 no longer had a donkey to pull the cart; the wheel at that point was rather irrelevant, or so they thought. Clouds were coming and it looked like it was about to rain something awful.

The pastors again replied, “No, that is okay, but thank you for asking.”

The two monks looked at each other for a moment and then the Armenian monk turned to the 3 pastors and asked, “Okay, you don’t want help with the axle; so, how much for your dead donkey?” The 3 pastors completely stopped struggling with the axle and wheel because they thought the question was so odd. All 3 turned and looked at the two old men and asked, “What? The donkey is dead. What kind of old fools would want to buy a dead donkey in the middle of nowhere?” The Syrian monk, hearing their loud silence, replied, “We would. How much?” The 3 missionaries looked at each other for a moment, then turned to them and said, “You can have him. He’s dead.”

So they all shook hands on it, and, once it was understood by all that the donkey then belonged to the Oriental Orthodox Communion, the Armenian monk then bent down, whispered something into one of its ears, and lo and behold, the donkey jumped up! Then, the two monks busied themselves untying and unhooking the fellow from his one wheeled burden. The two pulled the donkey aside and the Armenian took off his black monk hat and put it right on top of the head of the donkey. He tore two holes in it so the donkey’s ears would stick right through. The 3 pastors were utterly astounded.

Then the old Syrian monk broke the silence. Turning his head up he looked at the rain clouds that had gathered, and while still looking up at the impending storm that was right over their heads he asked the 3 other men of God, “Okay, now that we are Christian business partners, – how much for one of your tubas?” We have come here to pray, but it looks like you have come here only for business. And they old men let the donkey go exactly where the Lord led it to go - that way!

Now Online: "The Gift of Armenian Theology and Liturgy to the Wider Church"

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Now Online: "The Gift of Armenian Theology and Liturgy to the Wider Church"

Leave a Reply.

Archives

Categories

Directions to the Seminary

486 Bedford RoadArmonk, NY 10504

Contact Us

486 Bedford Road
Armonk, NY 10504