Message of Fr. Vazken Movsesian, parish priest of St. Andrew Armenian Church, Cupertino, from the Nakhagoch Newsletter. Electronic version archived on: SAIN-- St. Andrew Information Network -------------------------------------- c. 1987 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org -------------------------------------- FEBRUARY 1987 On February 8, 1987 the Bay Armenian Church community will commemorate the 35th anniversary of ordination of our Primate, Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian into the priesthood (details inside). As Primate, His Eminence oversees the Armenian churches in the Western United States. In America we have the good fortune of having freedom of religion. Unfortunately though, some abuse this privilege and therefore we have a assortment of "preachers" peddling their brand of religion. A popular notion some of them expound is that Christianity can exist outside the Church. When we Orthodox speak of "bishops," "diocese," "ecclesiastical authority," "apostolic church" we are at times questioned as to the necessity of such organization in religion. Afterall, if Oral Roberts is directly receiving orders from God* then why do we need a church? Why do we need bishops? clergy? {*On Jan. 4, 1987, Oral Roberts made the claim that if he didn't get $4.5 million for scholarships to O.R. University by March, God would take his life away.} Christianity does not and cannot exist outside of history. Jesus was a real man as well as real God. We know about Jesus and His message because the Church transmitted the Faith to us through the Holy Scriptures and Holy Traditions. Some history: In the first century, after the resurrection of Jesus, the Apostles began their missionary work, throughout the world. They would go from community to community, instructing the people with the Gospel message. (This is before there were "Bibles.") Before leaving a community they would establish a Church there and appoint an "overseer" or "episcopos" (=bishop) to lead the church in that region. Through a ceremony of "laying on of hands," these bishops would be given the right to act with the same love, power and authority that Christ gave the Apostles. Through Apostolic succession the right to speak in the name of Christ (Lk. 10.16), the power to forgive sins (Jn. 20:23), has been transferred to the bishops today. And the succession continues. It is in the confines of this order that we as Christians know and understand our faith. Contrary to popular belief, God did not give us the Bible. God did not give us our faith. God gave us the greatest gift of all--LIFE--His Son--Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Jesus did not give us the Bible. Jesus gave us His Body--The Church. And He makes this promise, "Éthe gates of hell will not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18) It is the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit that in it's turn gave us the Bible and the articles of faith. This is all a matter of history. With this in mind, we see that the Church, with it's structure and hierarchy, is essential to our faith. We define ourselves as Christians because of the Church. As we honor our Primate this month at the commemoration of his 35th anniversary of ordination we see the growth of our Diocese under His Eminence's leadership. I ask that you join me in prayer, that the Lord continue to shower His Grace upon this Prince of the Church so that he may continue to lead and move the Armenian Church and nation. In our prayers, let us also remember the tremendous mission of the Church in spreading the Gospel. Let us pray that God open the hearts of more men and women so they may likewise come to the service of our Holy Church. --Fr. Vazken Movsesian -------------------------------------- c. 1987 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org --------------------------------------