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. 1989 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org -------------------------------------- February 1989 St. Vartan and the Jehovah's Witness One evening, I was working in the office when I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door to find two middle aged women standing before me. Each had a purse on their left hand and a stack of printed material in the other hand, almost as if this ensemble was a uniform. One of the ladies began, "We're going door to door and noticed the sign on your door said, 'Armenian Church.'" I quickly explained that these were temporary offices while our Church was being constructed on Stelling Road. "We're going door to door," she continued, "talking with people about their beliefs. Wouldn't you like to see a world without earthquakes and wars?" I realized then that the word "Armenian" was more the issue than "Church." "Yes, I would." "We'de like to give you some of these booklets." She ruffled through a stack of Awake magazines. And so began the famous Jehovah's Witness appeal. We were familiar with their door to door solicitations at our homes, but now Churches? Before she could go on any further, I explained that the Jehovah's Witness belief was heresy. Her ears perked up. The fundamental question is this: Is Jesus Christ God incarnate? For the Jehovah's Witness, the answer is simply no. Hence, they aren't even Christians! After a brief quasi-theological discussion, I made it known that the Orthodox belief we expound has been with our Church for almost two centuries. Just as these evening callers were about to leave the other lady turned to me and said, "You know, we have many Armenians in our assembly." This month the Armenian Church remembers one of Her greatest heros, St. Vartan Mamigonian. We've all heard his name, and many know his story. In 451 he commanded the Armenian troops into battle against the Persians who were demanding that we change our religion and follow them. Outnumbered 3 to 1 we lost the battle but won the war. We were able to remain Christian. The Christian religion has been so dear to our people, it has been the life blood of our nation. It's value has been so dear that we've sacrificed life for it. In our day and age, we often hear of our saints but fail to make the connection with everyday life. With all the comforts of life in America, we are seldom asked to deny our religion. Yet the message of Armenian converts to Jehovah's Witness was startling and a sad revelation that the Vartanantz battle has been lost to some degree in the 1980's. Before the battle, St. Vartan tells the Persians, "Our religion is not like a garment that we might change according to the circumstances; it is part and parcel of our bones and blood and personalityÉ We serve you loyally in your army and pay you taxes faithfully if you leave us alone in the matter of religion. If you try to force your will upon us we are ready to suffer and to be tortured and even to die. However, you should know in advance that there is no power on earth which can force us to change our religion because our covenant is not with man but with the Almighty God." The Vartanantz battle is being fought again today as it has been fought not only in 451, but throughout the centuries. Today we are being coerced by fads and money, hiding under the guise of religion. The example of the Saints is not bound by time. The message is clear today "Our religion is not like a garment that we might change according to the circumstancesÉ" Sure in America we are guaranteed the freedom of conscience, yet the lure of cults is great.. Willingly we give in. This is not an indictment exclusively on the individual, but also on our Church in modern times. Further, St. Vartan's battle was clear cut. We knew who the enemy was. Today, cults pop up, and may invoke the name of Jesus Christ, but they are far from Christian, and anything but orthodox. Central to our Church is Jesus Christ. No and, ifs or buts about it! He is the foundation and the cornerstone. There may be times when other religions may seem appealing. The grand appearance of other churches may be very alluring. But remember, your Church has lived the Gospel for two centuries. It is not a shirt or a tie that can be discarded. It is "part and parcel of our bones and blood and personality." Attend and commune regularly. --Fr. Vazken-------------------------------------- c. 1989 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org --------------------------------------