On Tuesday April 29, we held the first of a transformative 6-part series entitled, “Pasta with our Pastor.” This unique and powerful series delves into the connection between Armenian Chirstian spirituality and psychology., while enjoying a delicious meal, lovingly prepared by Yn. Annie and Der Nareg.
During Tuesday evening’s session, about 40 parishioners gathered to share a scrumptious pappardelle with shredded beef in a ragu sauce, accompanied by an angel hair pasta with capers, olive, and tomatoes and salad. With our appetites heartily satisfied, Der Nareg began the session aimed at nourishing our souls and minds. The evening’s focus was on “Identity & Well-Being.”
Der Nareg launched the discussion with an explanation of “Chirstian anthropology “vs “Secular Anthropology.” Secular anthropology is based on the concept of evolution and survival of the fittest, whereas Christian anthropology offers a profound and hopeful view of who we are – rooted not just in biology, but in divine design, purpose and a destiny to experience eternal life with God. At the heart of Christian anthropology is the belief that we are created by God, and that our existence is neither random nor accidental. From the moment of creation, we reflect God’s image and are always illuminated in His love. Der Nareg pointed out that this Christian anthropology is at the root of ethical philosophy in that it shapes how society understands what is good, right, and just.
Upon establishing the root Truth that we are created in God’s image, redeemed, and destined for eternal communion with God, Der Nareg addressed the foundations of psychological health, which is influenced from the first moments of life. Der Nareg emphasized that a child is a gift from God, and that parents are the custodians of this gift, responsible for fostering a healthy spiritual and emotional environment in which the child can grow. He talked about the different attachment styles, both functional and dysfunctional, between parent and child, and how these significantly impact a child’s behavior into adulthood. The ultimate point made by Der Nareg is that no parent is perfect, and that childhood traumas are not uncommon – what’s most important is to have the self-knowledge to understand the roots of our behavior and recognize our capacity to make positive choices with the understanding that God’s light is there to illuminate our path. We are never stuck – we have the ability to learn and grow from suffering, and find our way towards God’s will. Der Nareg talked about the ability to “rewrite our history”, meaning the power to look back on traumas within the lens of our Chirstian framework – with the knowledge that we are the loved children of God. Reflecting upon our own history from this position of spiritual strength can be most restorative. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
At this point, Der Nareg transitioned to the significance of our spiritual faith in nurturing our well-being. “You are God’s masterpiece.” (Ephesian 2:10). The core message is that our worth is not earned or revoked. It is given through union with Christ. Our identity, our spiritual identity, is not based on past wounds, sins, achievements, performance or roles, but on being known, loved, and chosen by God. And it is through God’s love and grace that we confront and work through our pain, recognize that our pain and suffering serve to enlighten us and find our purpose. This restorative spiritual understanding gives us a powerful perspective and resilience through our holistic journey of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
With tremendous wisdom and understanding, Der Nareg has intentionally designed a series that holistically integrates the enrichment of our body, mind, and soul, with our faith at the very foundation of our well-being. Please join us for this transformative experience. We look forward to seeing you next Tuesday for Part 2, focusing on, “Emotional Healing & Spiritual Growth.”