BISHOP MESROP PARSAMYAN, DIOCESAN PRIMATE

Messages Written by Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan is the Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, one of the main branches of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the United States. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, he studied at the Gevorgian Theological Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin and later pursued advanced theological education in Europe. Ordained as a celibate priest in 2003, he served Armenian communities in Armenia, France, Switzerland, and eventually the United States, where he became known for his pastoral leadership, teaching, and outreach work.

As Primate, Bishop Mesrop oversees Armenian churches and clergy across the eastern United States, guiding religious, cultural, and educational programs for Armenian Americans. Since his election in 2022, he has focused on engaging younger generations, strengthening Armenian Christian identity in the diaspora, and expanding the Church’s presence through media and community outreach. He also represents the Armenian Church in interfaith and public settings, helping preserve Armenian spiritual and cultural traditions in American society.

SEVAN’S KHATCHKAR: A WITNESS OF FAITH

At the ancient Sevan Monastery in Armenia stands a remarkable khachkar—a cross-stone unlike any other. Most Armenian cross-stones don’t depict Christ on the cross because our faith doesn’t stop at the crucifixion. We don’t dwell on the suffering; we celebrate the victory! We proclaim the risen Christ, the triumphant King! But this one, dating back to the 13th century*, is different.

Carved into this stone, we see Jesus crucified. And at the bottom, we see the harrowing of hell—the moment when Christ, in His power and glory, descends to set the captives free! This is a reminder, my friend, that even in what looks like defeat, God is working a victory!

HAD JESUS TOLD IT DIFFERENTLY

When Jesus told the story of the Prodigal Son, He was painting a picture of God’s limitless, extravagant love! But imagine if the story had gone differently if the father had been like so many in the world today:

The son, broken, worn out, and desperate, finally makes his way home. He’s standing at the door, knocking, waiting, hoping for mercy. But instead of running to embrace him, his father cracks open a window and looks down with suspicion.

“Oh, it’s you,” he says. “Spent everything, I suppose? Look at you! What a mess. What do you want now? A handout? You had your share. And now, when you’re in need, suddenly you remember where home is.”

FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

These two photographs, placed side by side, tell a story far beyond what the eye can see. One, nearly a century old, captures my grandfather, Jirayr Parsamyan (third from the left), standing with his friends—survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Though they had lost so much, they never lost their faith. The other photograph? It shows me standing in the very same place where I was ordained first as a priest, and later as a bishop. Together, these images witness God’s unwavering hand, faithfully guiding our family through the generations.

My grandfather was forced to flee his homeland, Western Armenia, because of the first genocide of the 20th century perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey from 1915 to 1923. He walked through suffering, through hardship…

OUR FUTURE IS IN GOOD HANDS

Yesterday, I had the joy and privilege of spending time with the bright and dedicated students of Gevorgyan and Vazgenyan Seminaries who are preparing to serve Christ and His Armenian Church. Walking through the halls of this sacred institution, I was reminded of my own seminary days—the long hours of study, the deep theological discussions, and the fervent prayers that shaped my journey.

Meeting these young seminarians, I saw the next generation of leaders, young men who have answered God’s call, and who have stepped into their divine assignment. They could be anywhere, doing anything, but they have chosen to dedicate their lives to something greater than themselves. They are preparing to bring hope, healing, and truth to a world that desperately needs it!

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

I was just fourteen years old when I first stood on the altar of St. Sarkis Church in Yerevan, wearing a robe that felt too big for my shoulders but a heart that burned with a calling I didn’t yet fully understand. I remember the scent of the incense, the flickering candlelight, and the way my voice trembled as I joined in the hymns. In those moments, I had no idea where God would take me.

Years have passed since that day. Life has taken me across continents, through trials and triumphs, through moments of doubt and seasons of great faith. And now, I find myself back in that same sacred space—not as the young altar boy, but as a bishop—I kneel once more before the same altar and worship the same faithful God.

THE MOTHER WHO HEALS AND UNITES

This morning, I woke up to the sound of the bells of Holy Etchmiadzin. I arrived at the Mother See last night for the Supreme Spiritual Council meeting. As the bells chimed, I felt the weight of centuries in their echoes. These bells proclaim the endurance of a people, the unbroken faith of a nation. This is where you realize that faith isn’t just an idea; it’s living, breathing, and holding us together like a mother embracing her children.

Etchmiadzin, this holy sanctuary, has been the soul of our people. She has stood steadfast through the storms of history, watching over her children who have lived through the centuries with many pains and only little joys. She has witnessed our triumphs, but more often, she has wept with us in our suffering. And yet, she has never abandoned her children.

WALKING THE STRAIGHT PATH OF FAITH

I heard about two boys who were playing in the snow. They decided to have a little competition to see who could walk the straightest line. One boy kept stopping, turning back to check his path. But the other boy never looked back. He locked his gaze on a tree in the distance and walked straight toward it. When they reached the end, the first boy’s line was perfectly straight. The second boy’s path was all over the place. He asked, “How did you do that?” His friend said, “I didn’t look back. I kept my eyes on the tree.”

That’s a picture of how we are to walk in faith. Some people start out strong, but along the way, they get distracted. They start looking back at past mistakes, past hurts, and past regrets. They keep questioning, “Am I on the right path? Did I make the right decisions?”

BISHOP MESROP’S LENTEN MESSAGE 2025

We have entered the Season of Lent, and I want you to know that I will be praying for each and every one of you as you take this journey of reflection and preparation for the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ at Easter.
Great Lent is a time of many rich traditions in our Armenian Apostolic Church. It’s a time to engage in prayer, fasting, and giving—practices that open the door to God’s grace. I encourage you to take part in them and to be enriched in your spiritual life. Open yourself to the great love that God has for you. Listen for His voice and where it calls you.

Lent also reminds us of our need for repentance and the honest recognition that we are sinners who fall short of God’s glory. To many in the modern world, the very concept of sin seems old-fashioned. Yet, sin is part of our human nature; brokenness is our human condition.

A NEW SHEPHERD FOR GOD’S FLOCK

Last Saturday was a powerful, unforgettable day. My heart is still overflowing with joy and gratitude because I had the honor of performing my first priestly ordination in our Diocese at St. Sahag Armenian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. We’ve been blessed to witness a divine mystery unfolding right before our eyes: Deacon Serop Krajekian has been transformed into a new creation in the Lord, Father Nersess.

A new priest means a new chapter, a new outpouring of grace, a fresh wind of the Spirit. Just as a baptism fills a family with joy, just as a wedding brings celebration, the St. Sahag community, our Eastern Diocese, and the entire Armenian Church rejoice because God has raised up a shepherd to lead His flock.

A LEGACY OF FAITH AND COURAGE

Today, we celebrate the feast day of St. Ghevont, the priest, and his clergy brothers. In the fifth century, when our people faced one of the greatest threats in their history and the Persian Empire sought to erase Armenia’s Christian identity, St. Ghevont and his clergy brothers stood boldly with the Armenian army for their faith and their nation, defying impossible odds.

On the eve of the Battle of Avarayr, May 24, AD 451, when the enemy was closing in, St. Ghevont gathered the soldiers, celebrated Badarak, administered Holy Communion, and even baptized those who had not yet been received into the church. And with his words, he reminded them about the love of God and that no battle, no hardship, not even death itself, could separate them from His love.