Christian preaching through images and colors; the role of sensual perception in strengthening one’s faith. The presence of prayerful state and faith-related feelings in the process of icon creation. Choosing the materials and surface for painting. Armenian iconographic traditions and armenification of the icons of the Lord and saints.

• Speaker: Tatev Petrosyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

Childbearing as a God-given commandment.  “With God’s power I gave birth to a man” (Gen. 4:1). Childbearing in the center of Biblical and patriarchal life: Abraham and Sarah, Elkanah and Hannah, Zechariah and Elizabeth. Difficulties of becoming a mother and the strengthening of faith. Annunciation of the Mother of God. Parenthood as godlikeness.

• Speaker: Fr. Husik Dokholyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

The holiness of marriage union in all religions and cultures. The Family of the Paradise; marriage as a blessing. What values make the core for building a Christian family. Biblical examples for the respectful and healthy marital relations. Spiritual consultation for marriage problems. Poisonous union: marriage as a heavy burden. Instructions for the Holy Matrimony.

• Speaker: Fr. Arnak Harutyunyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

Pan-national pilgrimages of the Easter period. The difference between pilgrimage and religious tourism; the important role of a tour guide. Visits to religious venues as a strengthening factor for the knowledge of homeland and for national identity and faith. Expansion of humans’ spiritual horizon through visits to pan-Christian as well as non-Christian centers.

• Speaker: Nadia Hovhannisyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

Holy Easter as the finale of Holy Week events. The Passion Friday and the mystery of the Lord’s triumphant cross. “If we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him” (Rom. 6:8). Easter joy after the grave grief: “You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy... and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:20, 16:22).

• Speaker: Fr. Harutyun Sepanyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

The allegory of the bride and bridegroom in the Song of Songs. The image of the king entering Jerusalem; Christ and the anticipations of the Jews. The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Lk. 20:9-16). The contrast between the triumphant entrance to Jerusalem and the excruciating road of the cross. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). “The Lord is near” (Phil. 4:5).

• Speaker: Fr. Arnak Harutyunyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

Explanation of the Biblical readings for the Sunday of Advent (Is. 56, Col. 2, Mt. 22-23). The prophetic picture of the Lord’s first coming, and the anticipation of the Second Coming. The sudden coming, judgment, and recompense. Deprivation of the Jewish people of their birthright, and the pagans’ adoption by God.

• Speaker: Fr. Husik Dokholyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

The youth of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Unions of youth at churches; diocesan unions; The World Youth Union of the Armenian Church. “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecc. 12:1). A young person’s involvement in the Church life; possible hindrances. Spiritual food, warm environment and happy leisure awaiting the youth inside the Church.

• Speakers: Gertsina Petrosyan, Elen Tsaturyan, Lilit Mkrtchyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

Allegorical interpretation of the Parables of the Steward and of the Poor Lazarus (Luke 16). Each of us as a steward of our own life. The correct use of material riches. The necessity for using God-given spiritual gifts and capacities. Awareness of the impending judgment.

• Speaker: Fr. Husik Dokholyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

Physical and spiritual illness. The spiritual reason of a disease. The weakness of the body and the strengthening of the soul. “I am the Lord, who heals you” (Exodus 15:26). Illness as a sobering means. The virtue of caregiving for the sick. Death as a recovery from a long illness.

• Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:43-45). “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The mutual service in church and society. “Serve one another humbly in love” (Gal. 5:13).

• Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

The significance of the Battle of Avarayr; the cumulative character of Vardan Mamikonyan. The faith component of Vardanants War. The motto “For Faith and for Motherland.” The perception of the motto “Conscious death is immortality.” The name day of Armenian men and of the whole nation.

• Speaker: Fr. Husik Dokholyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

Despair as a sin, strengthening the hope through increasing the faith. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (John 15:13). “Hope does not put us to shame” (Rom. 5:5). “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Rom. 12:12).

• Speaker: Fr. Arnak Harutyunyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

Compassion as a spiritual virtue. God’s never-ending compassion and mercy for humanity. The highest expression of Lord’s love and compassion: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Rom. 12:15). The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

• Speaker: Fr. Arnak Harutyunyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

Parish as a basic unit of the Universal Church. The tradition of the church parish in dioceses of the Armenian Church in Armenia and Diaspora. Involving lay persons in the church administration. Requirements for productive functioning of parish organizations.

• Speaker: Fr. Diradur Sardaryan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

St. Basil’s homily on the words “Give heed to yourself.” The necessity of introspection and spiritual vision in our lives. “Be attentive to yourself, that is, neither to what is yours nor to what is around you, but be attentive only to yourself.” “Examine what sort of being you are. Know your own nature, that your body is mortal, yet your soul is immortal.” “Be attentive to yourself that you may be attentive to God.”

• Speaker: Fr. Mikayel Gevorgyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

The perception of New Year’s Day in the Christian world. The meaning of the feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra. Advice to not perceive Christmas as just a beautiful fairy tale. New Year’s rush and the Nativity fast. The mystery of the Eve of the Holy Nativity. Feast for the soul.  

• Speaker: Fr. Mikayel Gevorgyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

Human strive for the union with God through dedicating oneself to prayer and solitude. The birth of the eremitism in Christian world. The formation of monastic orders. Examples of modern monasticism and eremitism. The elimination of monasticism in Soviet period and the ways of its restoration in Armenia.

• Speaker: Marianna Apresyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

What is the difference between spiritual discussions and ordinary conversations? The ability of spiritual discussions to revolutionize lives. What does a clergyman transmit during a discussion? The difference between a sermon and a discussion. Citing Church Fathers, their lives, teachings, and theology in the course of a spiritual discussion. The instruction and conclusion of the spiritual discussion.

• Speaker: Fr. Mikayel Gevorgyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan

The law of exact retaliation in various religions and cultures. The new interpretation of the Old Testament law in the Sermon on the Mount. Love and forgiveness instead of antagonism. „Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you“ (Mt. 5:44).

• Speaker: Fr. Arnak Harutyunyan
• Host: Deacon Vardan Aslanyan