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
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c. 1995 Fr. Vazken Movsesian
Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org
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Repaying a Favor
	A few days ago, a lady from the Coptic Orthodox Church pulled 
up in front of the church in her car. She was delivering icons from her 
church to ours. She explained that these icons, eight in all, were a gift 
from the Coptic Community to the St. Andrew church. 
	The set includes three large icons depicting Christ as the Light of 
the World; Asdvadzadzin, the Holy Mother of God; and the 
Transfiguration; along with a set of small icons of the Holy Evangelists. 
They are hand painted on gold leaf and certainly are a welcome addition 
to our church.
	For me, more important than the gift of the icons themselves is 
her (and her church's) motive in making this gesture. The Coptic 
Orthodox Church is one of the Churches in communion with the 
Armenian Church. A few years ago, when their local community needed 
a place to celebrate their worship, St. Andrew opened its doors and for 
the past two years, they have been faithfully celebrating the Liturgy once 
a month at St. Andrew. Last month, they purchased a church building and 
began worshiping there. As a gesture of thanks to St. Andrew, they 
donated these icons which will now be a constant reminder of the Coptic 
Orthodox's presence and love.
	Not too long ago, we were in the same situation. When we were 
constructing our church building, the Serbian Orthodox community 
opened its doors to us. We used their church for over two years, until we 
moved into our present building. At the time, we made a promise to the 
Serbians that we would repay their kindness by opening our doors to 
other communities who were in need of a place for their worship. Today, 
we have kept our promise--not only to the Copts, but to the Ethiopian 
Orthodox Church as well, which meets under our dome for their worship. 
And I am certain, that the time will come when other churches will be 
asking the Copts and the Ethiopians to use their sanctuary and the cycle 
will continue.

"You received without payment; give without payment." (Matt. 10:8)
	I am moved by the gesture made by the Copts, because it is an 
opportunity to remind us of Christian giving. The Christian is called to a 
life of giving. We are asked to give without expectation of receiving, but 
we find that in life whatever we have given is always returned sooner or 
later. Giving and receiving are part of the same equation. It is difficult for 
us to understand this concept, because it goes contrary to the principals of 
profit motive indoctrinates us day-in and day-out. In industry, you give 
and you expect a return on our investment. In Christian life, you give -- 
you invest -- but have no way of monitoring your return, but it happens. 
When parents give and sacrifice for their children, it is not for any 
personal expectation, but they are rewarded when the children reach an 
accomplishment or arn to give to their children. So it is with God, who 
gives love without expectation and is rewarded every time you and I do 
something for others -- for "the least of His children" (Matt 25:40). 
	God's rewards are subtle. The rewards for your generosity and for 
your care may not be seen immediately -- and therefore cannot be 
expected -- but will come in the smile of a child's face, in the flowering 
of a plant, in the strengthening of your family, in the productivity of your 
church, in the growth of our community.  
	May God bless you always, and continue to inspire us to give.
	-- Fr. Vazken