Mystery of Power By Rev. Jirair M. Sogomian

With the approach of the quadrennial Presidential election and all the display of power-politics that goes with it, and with the recent events in the Middle East which display the sad vulnerability of human power - whether it be the vulnerability of an armored battleship that belongs to a superpower, or the unpredictability of the stock market which toys with the financial power of the few - my thoughts are once again focused on the mystery of power. What is this thing called power that manifests itself in so many different contexts and shapes to control human life and to condition the future of billions of people that are totally at the mercy of the few powerful people in this world? Even though we publicly decry the ravages of human power when used indiscriminately by sinful people, who are unaware of their human limitations and fragility, we proceed in our individual lives to seek that same power which we condemn in others, be it limited in its scope and inconsequential in its influence!

The coming elections give us a chance to bestow power on those whom we hope will be more benevolent and sensitive to the needs of the majority. In a democracy, at least for a short period of time, we become aware of the power of our vote, and it pleases us to know that in some infinitesimal way, we are the king-makers, the shapers of the future destiny of this great country. And we hope against hope that if we place the right people in positions of power, then perhaps our world will be a better place - a place where justice and peace prevail, making life desirable and joyful for all people!

In the Gospel of Mark, in spite of the repetitious and clear instructions of Jesus regarding his understanding and exercise of power, two of his disciples who belonged to his inner circle, bluntly ask him to share in his power. "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And what is it that they want Jesus to do? They want to keep their inner-circle-privileged positions when Jesus makes it to the top! They believe that they are able and willing to do whatever it takes (including drinking the cup that Jesus will drink, and being baptized with the baptism of Jesus -- even though they do not understand what it means) to remain in the inner powerful circle around Jesus!

In retrospect, we seem to understand their ambition as well as their naiveté. They have a profound faith in the extraordinary power of their Master, and they have no doubt that with his ability and charisma, he will make it to the top! Can you blame them for wanting to continue to share in his glory? They already had a foretaste of it in being included among the few that Jesus took with him to special places and events, when the rest were left behind, a bit sore and perhaps jealous of them. They seem to believe that the kingdom of God their teacher has been teaching and preaching about, will be a glorified version of the world they were presently living in. Hence, their desire to be part of it!

For one more time, Jesus desperately tries to explain to them that in the new world where God will reign supreme, things will be the exact opposite of what they are now. That the way God has designed this new world, power will belong not to those few who are at the top - the rich and famous with whom everyone wants to be associated, but to those who are quietly and unassumingly seeking to serve others, rather than clapping their hands for service! That fame and greatness will belong to those humble and self-effacing people who have caught the spirit of Christ - the spirit of servanthood and sacrifice compelled by the love of God!

As many times as we have heard this radical teaching of Jesus, we must confess that it's full impact has either escaped us, or its unreasonable and illogical nature has helped us develop a shield of resistance to it. We are so convinced that this kind of power will never float in the world we live, that all we give to this teaching of Christ is lip service and a condescending nod! Yet, whether we want to understand it or not, believe in it or not, what will transform our world is not the trickle-down power from the top, but the power of sacrificial servanthood that will rise up from the humblest nothings at the bottom, to embrace the masses disillusioned by humanly-devised power. On our Annual Rededication Sunday this November, let us submit ourselves to this power of Jesus, which alone can transform our world into the kingdom of God!

Note: Rev. jirair M. Sogomian is the pastor of the Armenian Martyrs' Congregational Church of Philadelphia, PA

AMAA'S "LITTLE VIRTUOSOS" OF ARMENIA A HUGE HIT By Charles DeMirjian

This is the story of a small miracle that rose out of a great tragedy. From the deafening rumble and rubble of the earthquake that ravaged Armenia in 1988 has evolved, by the grace of God, sweet music performed by even sweeter children.


On October 15, during the Sunday morning worship service at 11:00 a.m. the Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church will hold a memorial service to mourn the passing and celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Movses B. Janbazian.

Fostered by the Armenian Missionary Association of America and now known as the "Little Virtuosos" of Armenia, the gifted children who comprise this group include a few who were infant survivors of the earthquake. Today's six "Little Virtuosos", ranging in age from 9 to 14, have been on a world tour presenting a delightful concert of chamber music. Audiences everywhere have responded with unbridled enthusiasm.

Thus it was that on Saturday evening, October 21, 2000, these precocious youngsters performed at the Armenian Presbyterian Church of Paramus, N.J. The concert provided, in fact, an entertaining and inspiring climax to two days of the AMAA's annual meetings convened at its Paramus headquarters.

It is essential to picture the players; six beautiful children with bright angelic faces and more than a bit of mischief in their eyes. The girls were neatly attired in black jumpers and white blouses, the boys in black trousers, vests and bow ties. All appeared quite at ease with a confidence that belied their youth.

The challenging two-part program was a potpourri of more than 20 well-loved classics especially transcribed for the ensemble of three violins, cello, flute and piano. While most of the selections were upbeat and lively, both sections of the program began with, respectively, the "Hayr Mer" and "Sourp, Sourp" for which the audience stood in quiet reverence. Played entirely from memory, the concert mainly featured the complete ensemble but also showcased trios, duets and soloists.

Selections ranged broadly by period and style from Dvorák and Khachaturian to Vivaldi and Ravel. Among several pieces by the master Komitas, perhaps the one that best expressed the Armenian ethos was the soulful "Krounk". In general, however, the program was designed to spotlight the virtuosity of the young players and included such crowd-pleasers as a Fantasy from Bizet's "Carmen". With each successive piece, the large, appreciative audience became more demonstrative. A final standing ovation, punctuated with lusty bravos, brought the "Little Virtuosos" out for a dazzling encore, Khachaturian's rhythmically famous "Sabre Dance".

The young players, faces flush with pride - and not a little relief - were pleasantly surprised and rewarded with bouquets and gifts brought to each of them by the lovely young women of the church. Immediately after, in the parish hall the same gracious ladies served a lavish aprés-concert treat of fruit, pastries and coffee to the attendees, yet abuzz with excitement.

All of the "Little Virtuosos" of Armenia attend the Tchaikovsky Intermediate School of Music in Yerevan. They are the musical progeny of their brilliant artistic director and arranger, Samvel Avanesyan and his wife, Araksi Avanesyan, who is also piano accompanist. The players are: Hrachia Avanesyan, violin, and, at 14, the most advanced and prominently featured member; Lusine Abaghyan, 13, violin; Sevak Avanesyan, 11, cello; Marina Manukyan, 12, piano; Susanna Vardanian, 12, violin, and Lusine-Melik Vartanesyan, 9, flute.