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‘The Chosen’ Actress Elizabeth Tabish Talks New Film
THE BETWEEN BORDERS STORY
The film is based on the true story of Ivan and Violetta Petrosyan, a young, Armenian couple raising their two young daughters in Azerbaijan, which borders Armenia. Though born in the former country and at peace there for decades, tensions over disputed land build as the Soviet Union crumbles in the late 1980’s. As if overnight, Armenians are suddenly considered outcasts, facing discrimination, property damage, and threats at best; violence and death at worst. The Petrosyans realize that they must leave their homeland and seek refuge with friends of the family in Volgograd, Russia. Life there isn’t much better, as they again are met with disdain, and forced to live in poverty. One thing, however, is very good in their new location: Christian missionaries. They serve as buffers between the Petrosyans and corrupt authorities, and invite them to church, where they explain the gospel. Violetta comes to faith in Jesus, while Ivan stays on the fringes, worried his wife has fallen prey to another system of belief that will let her down, as communism has. In time, he also seeks the counsel of the pastor, and finds reason to hope in God.
At the invitation of one of the missionaries, an American, whose West Virginia church offers to support the Petrosyans, they travel to the U.S. to seek asylum – and a better life. Their hopes appear dashed, however, when an unsympathetic U.S. immigration attorney twists their story, determined to see their plea for asylum denied. She offers them a deal to stay in America only until “things improve” in Russia, at which time they must return, with no chance for asylum. Seeing no future for their family in such a deal, the Petrosyans turn it down, their fate now resting in the hands of the judge.
A number of things drew Elizabeth to this role, she says. First, she was approached by friend and co-writer, Isaac Norris, whose own father was one of the Christian missionaries depicted in the film. Also, Elizabeth is of Armenian (and Italian) descent herself, making the context of the story all the more meaningful to her. Next, her great-grandmother grew up in Tehran, Iran, and felt like a refugee throughout her adult life. Elizabeth admired how she rose above discrimination, and demonstrated strength through her love of family. Lastly, Elizabeth said she relates to the character of Violetta, who also shows a deep love for her family, doing everything possible to better their lives. Audiences can see Between Borders, a Fathom movie event, in theatres across the nation from Sunday, January 26 through Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
HER HOPES FOR VIEWERS
The stability and strength that Violetta displays in the film come from her new relationship with God, Elizabeth explains, and are not based on circumstances changing, or even the prospect of a new life in America, though that is her hope. She may well have to return to Russia, poverty, and mistreatment, but her undergirding faith gives her hope, no matter. That perspective is what Elizabeth hopes viewers come away with after watching the movie. Also, she hopes people will realize what a great country the U.S. is, despite its many problems, and the
contributions of countless legal immigrants and refugees who’ve enriched it with their culture and hard work.
ONE OF THE CHOSEN
Cast as Mary Magdalene in the immensely-popular, crowd-funded, Bible TV series, The Chosen, Elizabeth says it’s a great honor to play this woman who was so significant to Jesus. She loves hearing how people are moved by a scene or episode and how some who are not believers become curious about the gospel. “Though it’s a job, and we do what is written for us, there’s a heartbeat through it all,” she says, referring to the faith of the cast and the affect it has on them while portraying Christ’s disciples.
Her favorite episode thus far is the very first one, in which Jesus calls her by name, though He had no earthly way of knowing it. His simple words demonstrate not only omniscience, but what she needed most – divine love. That love would set her free from sin, demonic possession, and the search for her true identity and purpose.
Season five of The Chosen will be released in theaters in late March before it begins streaming. It’s summed up this way by The Deseret News: “The table is set. The people of Israel welcome Jesus as king while his disciples anticipate his crowning. But — instead of confronting Rome — he turns the tables on the Jewish religious festival. Their power threatened, the country’s religious and political leaders will go to any length to ensure this Passover meal is Jesus’ last.”
To find out more about Elizabeth Tabish and her up-and-coming projects click the link! www.elizabethtabish.com
CREDITS
Actress, plays “Violetta,” in Between Borders (Pinnacle Peak and StoryLight Productions, 2025) based on the true story of an Armenian refugee family in the late 80’s / Plays “Mrs. Grady” in the recent movie, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, 2024 / Plays “Molly Garner” in The Shift, 2023 / Renowned for her portrayal of Mary Magdalene in The Chosen, 2017 – present / Notable appearances in the TV series The Son and Panic / Began her career in the film and commercial industry, appearing in various commercials, independent films, and network television projects / Master of Arts in Theater and a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies from Oklahoma State University / Award-winning filmmaker who has directed numerous independent short films exploring female archetypes / Married to Stan Mayer
Healing Provided Confidence in God
“I started experiencing feeling a little tired and fatigued. And then I started getting some tightening in my esophagus in my throat, like near where your thyroid would be.” Michele Justice recalls, “And it was affecting my vocal cords and my speaking. I was experiencing some hoarseness, it was making me concerned, especially in the industry that I'm in, where I work, very physical work for a living in the cleaning, you know, cleaning industry. And this had been quite a few months of feeling that way. I knew I had an upcoming appointment with the doctor for your routine well check and bloodwork. So I was looking forward to that to address that with her. And when they did the blood work, they found that my thyroid, the antibodies of my thyroid were elevated."
Michele continues, “So my husband and I prayed together about it, and we agreed in prayer that the Lord would touch and I receive healing for that area of my body.” She says, “I watch the 700 Club on a regular basis in the afternoons. And this particular day I was, you know, looking forward to the prayer time at the end of the hour, toward the end of the show. I put my hands across my esophagus where I felt like I had all that pain and pressure. And as I was doing that, Ashley Key had received a word of knowledge."
Ashley said on the 700 Club, “Yeah, I believe some of you just put your hand over your throat, like where your esophagus is, and you've been having a lot of trouble in that part of your body. It's hard for you to swallow. It's hard for you to talk. I'm not sure if there's a tear in your esophagus area, but I believe God is literally healing that for you right now And in the name of Jesus.”
“And I could feel, you know, the power of God and this excitement come over me thinking, yes, at last relief,” says Michele. “And I just felt instant relief. And I didn't feel that pressure swallowing any more. I didn't have a hard time talking. I noticed I was talking more clearly. I didn't have that strain or hoarseness. And when I returned to the doctor, she saw that the thyroid had improved in the bloodwork. I really was grateful to receive that touch from God. Our prayers had been answered. We didn't doubt that they would be, but we were excited that they were answered to that level. It provided confidence in God and that He was well aware of my circumstances and taking care of the problem. So that was wonderful. And the relief I received, grateful to God for that.”
Battling Snakes and Poison—Just for a Drink!
The only source of water for Idealis was a river in their remote village in Indonesia. But the path there can be dangerous.
Idealis explained, “When we went to the river to collect water, we often found snakes along the way. It took an hour to get water.”
Idealis lives with his mom, who is a widow.
His mother said, “The river water is contaminated because people put poison in it to kill fish. It makes the water smell bad and makes us sick when we drink it.”
Idealis explained, “When I drank the river water, I often got dizzy and got headaches. Also, my skin gets itchy when I wash there. I prayed every day that God would send us someone who could help us get clean water.”
Then Operation Blessing met with Idealis and his mom. We built a Water Harvesting System for him and 33 other families in their village. We installed pipes, tanks and water chlorination to make the collected water safe to drink.
“Thank you for the clean water,” said Idealis. “Now, I'm no longer tired of fetching water because there is water near my house. Thank you, Operation Blessing.”
What a beautiful example of how CBN partners share the love of Jesus around the world with people in need! If you’re not yet a partner, we invite you to join us today. Help bring God’s love through initiatives like clean water wells, medical missions, feeding programs, and so much more—all in the name of Jesus! Join us today and become a part of what God’s doing through CBN partners.
A Heartwarming Visit to Tony Facio Pediatric Hospital
In the heart of Costa Rica, the Tony Facio Pediatric Hospital became a beacon of hope and faith for many families facing unimaginable challenges. The pediatric ward was filled with children battling various diseases—some curable with strong treatment, others without hope. It was in this setting that a special Superbook event took place, bringing light and comfort to those in need.
The event featured a screening of the Superbook episode “The Fiery Furnace.” This episode tells the inspiring story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who faced a blazing furnace but were not alone—God was with them. The children, accompanied by their parents, watched intently, and even some doctors joined in for the screening.
As the episode unfolded, the message of God's unwavering presence in the midst of trials resonated deeply. The Superbook team shared with the children and their families that “God could save us from anything, but what if He doesn't?” This profound question led to a discussion about God's perfect purposes and how every challenge, trial, or battle we face allows us to have a testimony and a story of great value. The team emphasized that “God never leaves us in the midst of these battles,” but rather, as in the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, He goes into the fire with us.
The atmosphere was filled with a mix of emotions as the team invited everyone to consider having this God in their lives—the God who enters the fire with us and uses every situation for His perfect plans and awesome testimonies. Then they opened the floor for prayer requests, and several tearful mothers courageously shared their needs. It was a touching moment as the team prayed for these mothers and their children, presented the Gospel, and invited them to make Jesus their Lord and Savior.
As the Superbook team wrapped up their visit, there was a sense of renewed strength and hope among everyone present. The children, despite their illnesses, showed incredible resilience and courage. Their mothers, though tearful, found comfort in the prayers and the message of God’s unwavering presence. Even the doctors and staff were moved by the message and the sense of community that filled the room. It was a testament to the power of faith, community, and the incredible love of God.
We invite you to join CBN Animation’s mission of reaching children around the world with the Gospel. Whether through sharing this story, accessing Superbook resources for your own family, or donating to CBN Animation’s Superbook ministry through the link below, your support can help extend this impact to countless others. Together, we can bring the light of God's love to children around the world, one story at a time.