He was a man of holiness and generosity; but also a man who could countenance the cruelest violence. His very name confessed his loyalty to God—but also prefigured the loneliness that can follow any man with such loyalties. He was Elijah the Tishbite, Elijah “the Stranger”:
The yearly transition to summer is a special time in the Armenian Church calendar. In quick succession, we observe our Lord’s Ascension, Pentecost, St. Gregory’s release from the pit, and the birth of Holy Etchmiadzin.
On the Feast of Pentecost the Eastern Diocese observes “Vocations Day”: a day to reflect on how God might be calling us along a certain road in life. The Gospel of John devotes special attention to the idea of the Christian “calling”
This Sunday will begin the final week in the season known as Eastertide—called Heenoonk in Armenian to designate the period of 50 days between Easter and Pentecost.
Today, May 13, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The day marks the ascent of our Lord into heaven, on the 40th day after his resurrection.
