Next Step #803 – June 18, 2025

War and peace, as the world bunkers up for more aggressive rhetoric. Is it Pandora’s box? Or is there a way of go back to the message of overcoming violence with love? Compassion as measured through shoe sizes. The torture a prisoner in our midst. Fr. Vazken reflects about the 17th anniversary of the Next Step the purpose of this podcast today.

Artist Rendering: Suzie & Fr. Vazken recording the Next Step in the early days of Epostle at the Glendale studio

Next Step #802 – May 17, 2025 – Unapologetic Apologies – Pope Leo XIV’s papacy begins with a message of peace offered by the pontiff. Fr. Vazken breaks it down, and shares thoughts about the office of the successor of St. Peter and the Bishop Rome. “Unity in Essentials, Liberty in Secondary Matters, Charity in all things.” Who is the Bishop of the Ararat Valley? Synodality: The Catholics Discover what we’ve known. Unapologetically Fr. Vazken shares wishes and prayers to and for the Pope. And then… Apologetically a  look at genocide happening now, Gaza included. How the world stays silent in the face of atrocities of the magnitude of genocide. Why “Never Again” didn’t mean never again. No politics just human compassion is the call of the day. And more…

Humanitarian: Non political

Next Step #801 – April 25, 2025 – Another opportunity lost: 110 years since the Armenian Genocide and still self-pitying and at a loss of words (read: nerve) to talk about other genocides, falling victim of politics and political correctness. Humanitarian issues becoming politics. A first look at the passing of Pope Francis and his legacy of humility.

Next Step #800 – February 22, 2025 – Back on track, episode #800 is a recharge, realignment and recommitment to the goals and purpose of the Next Step. The Armenian Genocide Memorial in Montebello is designated as a California Historic Landmark. Fr. Vazken shares his thoughts as he sits through a ceremony that recalls the past, praises the present and offers questionable options for the future. Remembrance of the opening days in 1968. In this episode you’ll hear a move from hopelessness to a realignment of purpose for the Next Step podcast and his ministry.

Next Step #799 – December 21, 2022 – The Winter Solstice signals the birth of the Sun days begin to grow longer in the Northern Hemisphere. In a comparison of Sunlight with Sonlight, Fr. Vazken shares some ideas that prepare and challenge the listener to tap into the Christ light within. Welcome to Noor.

Next Step #798 – November 28, 2024 – The Thanksgiving edition. Transition moments of life – from mom, to the Nairi Computer, to politics, to wars. The Forest-Gumpish nature of the priesthood embraced. Being there. A look at angels and the aftermath of the US elections.

Pre-election Bouquet

Next Step #797 – October 31, 2024 – Less than a week before the US Elections. Thoughts in a changing world. The voice of moral authority in a silent world. A pipeline from floods to draught? Here’s the plan: Drop the war. The myth of end times explored and exposed. And more…

Next Step #796 – September 28-29, 2024 – Fr. Vazken is in Between Two Services – the Blessing of the Holy Muiron and the Consecration of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, on its reopening. What we learned from exploring the Muiron Service and the Holy Cross – messaging from Varak. Pontifical Hymn, Seminarians at the Vasgenian Seminary at Lake Sevan.

Now I Understand

Next Step #795 – August 29, 2024 – It’s the question that has bother him from the beginning of time: How can they let this happen?

Next Step #794 – June 18, 2024 – Sixteen Years Later and beginning year #17