The Celebration of Christmas: A Biblical Perspective

Wooden carved nativity scene in front of candles

OPINION – By Rachel Melikian Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate Christmas around the world; the latter celebrate secular and commercial aspects, focusing solely on decorating the Christmas tree and Santa Claus bringing gifts to them, but true Christians celebrate Christ’s birth. For the former, Christmas is a worldwide celebration of the biblical event of Jesus’ […]

Echoes from Ancient Leaves

1922 black and white photograph of Mount Ararat in Armenia, with a river and two tall trees in the foreground

OPINION By Rachel Melikian Remembering the Past Why should we remember the past, the Armenian Genocide, April 24, 1915? Several elected officials, lawyers, and hostesses raised the question this year and delivered a trite response, although good, during a remembrance ceremony marking the 108th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, […]

Artsakh is Under Siege

A flock of several dozen white birds flying against a white cloudy backdrop

Could everyone please help the people of Artsakh on the New Year?  OPINION: By Rachel Melikian An entire Republic does not celebrate Christmas, New Year’s, or Santa Claus or give gifts to children this year, and the future of the nation is uncertain because it is surrounded, running out of food and water, and the […]

Copernicus Satellites vs. Grandma’s Prayers: Atonement before Peace

By Rachel Melikian Science cannot stop wars to bring peace. It cannot extinguish a deadly wildfire when it’s out of control. Moreover, it cannot stop famine or drought from gaining abundance, nor can it fight against tsunamis and earthquakes to prevent disasters. Science can neither bring justice nor wipe out people’s sins nor buy health […]

The Story of the Armenian Van Cat

Close up of the face of an orange and white Van cat with amber eyes

By Rachel Melikian Cats are one of mankind’s best friends, and many cultures have stories about how cats came to be so revered. Armenian lore says that the Van cat came down to the Armenian Highland on Noah’s Ark. Grandma Armenia’s cat is beautiful. They are one of the most unique cats, with white fur, […]

RIP Kobe – A Tribute to a Legend

Kobe Bryant jersey

By Rachel Melikian Dedicated on the first anniversary of the death of Kobe Bryant, are my thoughts from 2020. “RIP KOBE” flash LA Metro buses’ destination signs, including the buses still parked at the depot, and then one after another, they resume their routes with the same message. This gives a remarkable impression of a […]

The Four Unseen Pillars of Father’s Day

Image by LoggaWiggler from Pixabay

By Rachel Melikian Something can stand on three pillars, but a house needs four. In the home, the father represents all four pillars, without which the home would collapse. Fathers often work silently and without expectation of praise for their sacrifices. This is the work that sustains the pillars and goes unseen on the shoulders […]

For 2020, a Virtual Vigil for Armenia’s 1.5 million Sanctified Martyrs

By Rachel Melikian The night before the Armenian Genocide commemoration on April 24 there is a candlelight vigil, but this year, 2020, the commemoration of the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was different. It was virtual, without any marches in Little Armenia, or publicly held candlelight vigil nights, due to the novel Coronavirus global […]