Talk with Fr. Barouyr

This week, Fr. Barouyr is joined by Deacon Garo Balian. Dn. Garo attended seminary in Bikfaya and is currently the administrator, choir director, and full-time Deacon at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Dearborn, Michigan. They talk about some of then differences between church in the Middle East and the US, including how much easier it is for the faithful to attend churches in the Middle East. Fr. Barouyr highlights how this reflects the flexibility of the church mission to the context. They next discuss some of the pastoral differences between the Middle East and the US, like the busyness of people’s work schedules. The church, therefore, has to make an extra effort to make the church feel like home to the parishioners. Dn. Garo also talks about the St. Sarkis Church Youth Group and its vital role in the mission of the church, and how it focused on the needs of the youth, and directed by the youth.

This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about renewal in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Fr. Barouyr highlights the importance of connecting the church with the youth, and the challenges it faces in doing so. He exhorts us to push for change at our parishes, including new approaches to connect with the younger generation. He cautions us that without connecting with more of the faithful, the church will become a cultural relic. Finally, Fr. Barouyr exhorts us to pray for the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into the Armenian Apostolic Church.

This week, join Fr. Barouyr for his sermon from St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church in Hollywood, California. He discusses not just the miraculous feeding, but the symbolism. The 5 loaves symbolizes the Law. The 2 fish symbolize the prophecy of the Old Testament. Moses was given two pillars upon which the Jewish people were saved in the desert: God’s word and sacrifice. Jesus turned this on its head, as illustrated by His words during the Last Supper: “this is my blood of the New Covenant.” This forms the basis for the Divine Liturgy. In order to allow Jesus into our lives, we have to prepare our hearts with His words.

This week, join Fr. Barouyr from St. Gregory the Illuminator in San Francisco. He discusses the parable of the wheat and the weeds, starting by asking the question, why does God allow weeds to be planted in our lives? He talks about what the weeds signify individually in our lives, and what they signify more broadly. He highlights that God, like the farmer, allows us all a lifetime to come to Him, as His intention is to save us all.

This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a sermon from Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Fresno, California. Fr. Barouyr discusses the event in Matthew when Jesus and His Apostles are picking and eating grain from a field on the Sabbath. Fr. Barouyr explains that the Bible doesn’t exist to judge us, but to save us. Further, this event reminds us that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbarh, as described in the Old Testament. Jesus is among us every day, humbling Himself to gather our grains.

This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about gratitude. Gratitude extends beyond giving thanks, and moves us into action. True gratitude isn’t just a feeling, it’s action directed at others. Fr. Barouyr encourages us to be grateful and show our gratitude with our actions.

This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about Jesus’s High Priestly Prayer, which is recounted to us in John 17. Fr. Barouyr discusses the background - that this prayer comes during the Last Supper, the culmination of Jesus’s earthly teachings. He breaks the prayer down into three parts: prayer centered around Jesus, prayer centered around the Disciples, and prayer centered around all believers. Fr. Barouyr explains how Jesus turned the hour at the cross from defeat into triumph; how He formed a bridge between God and the Disciples; and how unity with God was extended to all believers. Finally, Fr. Barouyr describes the Last Supper as an invitation to all of us to join in unity with Christ.

This week, by listener request, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about the Desert Fathers. Fr. Barouyr sets the stage by recounting the modern day history behind the founding of St. Anthony’s Monastery, in the Arizona desert, and the miraculous discover of water running beneath it. He delves into the history behind the Desert Fathers, as well as their spiritual motivations behind withdrawing to the desert. The desert served as a spiritual laboratory, a fertile ground for encountering God. Christ also withdrew to the desert. The silence and emptiness allow our souls to experience the Psalmist’s line, “be still, and know that I am God.” Further, they reinforce that even in barren places, God brings living water.

This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about Jesus’s trip to the Temple with Peter, told in Matthew 17:24-27. Fr. Barouyr explains the context of the time, when the Temple Tax signified duty, belonging, and obedience. Fr. Barouyr then explains further the meaning behind the fish paying His Temple Tax: 1) Jesus stayed obedient to the law and paid his Temple tax, not from his pocket, but from the fish; 2)He is both king and High Priest; and 3)Christ is the creator, willing the fish to pay His Temple Tax. Further, the fish is used as a symbol, its Ancient Greek forming an acronym meaning Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Further, Christ commands Peter to catch the fish, symbolizing salvation, just after Peter recognized Him as the Messiah. Finally, this symbolizes Christ paying the taxes for the sins of all.

This week, join Fr. Barouyr for a discussion about the priestly calling. He talks about how the paths for the priesthood in the Armenian Church, how to discern the calling, and to understand how those who feel the calling fit in. Fr. Barouyr talks about some of the differences between celibate and married priesthood, and that those who feel the calling should search their souls deeply.