Spiritual Discussions (archive)
An investigation into central fundamental issues such as the meaning of life, our calling, the search for truth, the choice of the spiritual way. Additionally, we investigate other themes, such as dogmatic purity and the recognition of one’s own tradition. All these and more are discussed by the participants of Spiritual Discussions.
What are the Church’s responses to these challenging questions? What is the relationship between the spiritual and material aspects of life? Is it possible to reach perfection in this life? How does one carry out the commandments of Christianity? What should be our attitude towards various sects? How should we protect our children and ourselves from “spiritual deformations”? Thorough responses and discussions to these questions and other important issues will be heard in Spiritual Discussions.
Envy
Mortal sins are the basic temptations of human nature and are the source of all other sins. Why is envy considered a mortal sin? Envy is the result of lack of love. The more spiritually awakened people are, the more they depart from envy. Envy and malice poison a person both physically and spiritually.
- Speaker: Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan
- Host: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
Corruption
What is corruption from the Christian point of view. Justice is the basic principle of organizing public life. Semantic differences between law and right. Humans have the awareness of justice and right through the natural law. How to fight corruption.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Manuk Hergnyan
Optimism
What is optimism and how it differs from Christian hope. Salvation is the final goal of humans. Optimism should be based on the sense of reality. Overcoming hardships invigorates the true hope.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Money and Wealth
Material and spiritual wealth according to the Bible. Wealth is for doing good, but it often becomes an instrument of evil. The more humans grow spiritually, the more they become unattached to material goods.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Manuk Hergnyan
National Pride
What is national pride from the point of view of Christianity? Manifestations of pride in everyday life. The unity of public and individual interests. The semantic connotations of the words “dignity” and “pride.” Why and how did nations emerge historically?
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Manuk Hergnyan
Suffering
Conscious suffering leads to happiness. Ways to overcome suffering according to Isaac of Nineveh. Are there eternal evil and eternal bliss? How to explain the importance of suffering to children?
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Manuk Hergnyan
Dreams and Visions
What are the causes of dreams and visions? St. Grigor Tatevatsi's classification of dreams. Dreams reflect the spiritual state of a person. What is a dream in psychology? How to treat dreams according to the Church Fathers. How to distinguish divine and demonic dreams?
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Temptation To Sin
Temptation to sin is the demonic influence in our live. The traps of temptation to sin. External and internal temptations to sin. Types of temptations to sin in the modern world. Why do temptations to sin spread so quickly?
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian Host:
- Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Godliness and Godlessness
The human soul has a longing for the divine․ Causes of godlessness. The Holy Bible about godlessness. The role of doing good in the life of a Christian․ How to overcome unbelief.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Depression
What is depression from the point of view of the Orthodox faith? Causes of depression. Joyful mourning of repentance and depressive sadness of sin. How to prevent depression. Prayer as the most important way to avoid evil. The three degrees of repentance.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Profanity
The nature of the sin of profanity. Profanity is related to demonic forces. Profanity as offense to people and to God. Profanity is incompatible with sanctity of family. How to fight against profanity. The importance of forgiveness in Christian life.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Praise and Flattery
Explanation of the sin of flattery. Christian life as a quest for God's glory. How does praise differ from flattery? The role of humility in spiritual life. Spiritual and social harms of flattery.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Holy Trinity
The doctrine of the Holy Trinity. The way of human salvation. Christianity as a philosophical system. The Church as the continuous presence of the Holy Spirit. The revelations of the Holy Trinity in the Bible.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Resurrection of the Dead
The eschatological future of humanity. Resurrection of the dead as a feature of the Christian faith. Spiritual and physical death. The miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ as victory over death.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Loneliness
Christian explanation of loneliness. External and internal isolation. How to overcome the feeling of loneliness.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Apostolicity
What is apostolicity? Importance of the apostolic ordination. Apostles as the foundation of the Church. The relation of Armenian identity to the apostolic faith.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Patience
Christian understanding of patience. Sectarianism and its relation to impatience. The positive results of patience. Similarities and differences between patience and meekness. Patience as a path to the realization of virtue.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Peace
Peace as a key theme in spiritual life. The riotous nature of evil. Secular and Christian perceptions of peace. Interrelation of love and peace.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Drinks and Drunkenness
The positive and negative references of the Holy Scripture about drinks. Wine as a symbol in the Old and New Testaments. How to get rid of drunkenness?
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan
Holiness
The meaning of the word “holiness.” God as the source of holiness. The meaning and purpose of human existence? The role and significance of the intercession of the saints. Manifestations of holiness.
- Speaker: Fr. Mesrop Aramian
- Host: Deacon Ara Nalchajyan