Today we celebrate the Independence Day of Armenia. I think of the independence of Armenia as a testimony, as a declaration that no power, no empire, no obstacle can erase the destiny God has placed on His people. It’s about God’s faithfulness. It’s about His hand guiding a nation through valleys, through fires, through long nights of captivity, and bringing them into the morning of new life. After nine hundred years without sovereignty, after centuries of oppression and stru

It is always a joy to be back in Chicago. Whenever I visit, I am reminded of the beauty and energy of this great city. One of the city’s most familiar landmarks is Cloud Gate, better known as “The Bean.” People gather around its polished surface to see themselves reflected alongside Chicago’s beautiful skyline. But the reflection is not always accurate. Depending on where you stand, you may appear taller, shorter, wider, or strangely curved. The image may be real, but it is d

Two weeks ago, while I was in Van preparing to leave the hotel for our pilgrimage to Varagavank, I felt a quiet prompting: “Take your Banageh with you.” The Banageh, or Enkolpion, is the episcopal medallion bearing the image of the Holy Mother of God holding the Christ Child. While traveling in Turkey, I had generally kept visible religious symbols discreet. So instead of wearing it, I slipped it into my pocket and went to join our pilgrims. I did not know why I felt I should