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.

TRAVEL LIGHT

I recently got my travel statistics from Delta and United—37 trips and 103,000 miles in 2024! That’s a whole lot of packing and unpacking! I actually get excited about packing. There’s something about getting ready, organizing what you need, and making sure you’re prepared for where you’re going.

But here’s what I’ve learned—packing well isn’t just about what you take; it’s about what you leave behind. No one brings their entire closet on a trip. You don’t carry unnecessary weight. You bring what’s essential, what will serve you on the journey.

And life is no different. Each of us is on a journey toward the destiny God has prepared for us. Yet, too often, we’re carrying things that don’t belong—burdens that weigh us down, regrets that linger too long, and fears that steal our joy. We carry anxiety over things beyond our control, bitterness over wounds that should have healed, and past failures that God never asked us to bear.

TRUSTING GOD’S GREATER PLAN

Back in 2014, I was serving as the Locum Tenens, the acting Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of France. I was young, 33 years old, and full of vision, ready to step into the role of Primate. My name was considered for the election, but according to the bylaws, you had to be at least 35 years old to qualify. I was two years too young. It felt like a disappointment. I thought, Lord, why would You put this opportunity in front of me if I wasn’t able to take it?

But if I had been elected there, I would have stayed in France. I would have never come to America. I would have never stepped into the calling I’m living today, serving as bishop of one of the biggest and most vibrant Armenian dioceses in the world. And let me tell you, my time in France was a blessing. I treasure the people and the community. But God had a greater plan. What I once saw as a setback was really God leading me to something greater than I ever imagined!

KEEP YOUR FORK!

Week after week, I have the privilege of visiting our parishes, celebrating Badarak with our beloved communities. After Badarak, we gather together for fellowship where we share a meal. When the dishes from the main course are being cleared away, someone will inevitably lean over and say, “Srpazan, keep your fork.”

Now, whenever I hear those words, I know something good is coming. That means the best part of the meal isn’t over. That means dessert is on its way—maybe a rich, velvety chocolate cake, or a warm kadaif or kunefeh, fresh out of the oven. Keep your fork is a sign that something even sweeter is ahead!

FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

Today, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord, the moment when the forty-day-old baby Jesus was brought to the temple by His mother, Mary, and Joseph. They came to fulfill the law, to offer a sacrifice, to do what was expected. But what seemed like an ordinary ritual became an extraordinary revelation!

Because in that temple, there were two people who had been waiting, watching, believing. Simeon, a devout man, and Anna, a prophetess—two people who refused to give up, who held onto hope when it seemed like nothing was changing. And on that day, their faith was rewarded!

THE POWER OF FOCUS IN YOUR LIFE

When I was a kid, I loved playing with a magnifying glass. I’d use it to focus sunlight on a piece of paper. At first, the light didn’t seem to do much. But when I held that magnifying glass just right, the light became so focused that it could start a fire! I didn’t fully understand it back then, but it taught me a powerful truth: light, when focused, has incredible power.

Think about it. Diffused light can brighten a room, and that’s good. But focused light? It can start fires. Concentrate it even more, and it becomes a laser that can cut through steel, heal disease, and reach the stars. The same is true about our lives. When we scatter our energy, we may accomplish a little here and there, but we’ll never see the extraordinary. But when we focus, when we fix our attention on what truly matters, there’s no limit to what God can do through us.

FLOURISH LIKE THE PALM TREE

One of the most beautiful promises in the Scriptures is in Psalm 92:12: “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.” Palm trees are strong and resilient, standing tall no matter what comes their way. The palm tree has a unique ability: it can bend, but it doesn’t break. When the storms come, the winds may howl, and the palm may sway, but when the storm passes, that tree stands back up, tall and strong, as if nothing ever happened.

There are times in life when the winds blow hard against us—winds of disappointment, winds of struggle, winds of change. And we feel like we’re bending under the pressure. We feel the weight of what we’re going through, and it’s pulling us down. But if we’re rooted in God, if our trust is in Him, we’re not going to break, were going to bounce back to stand tall again.

MASTERPIECE IN MASTER’S HANDS

Yesterday, a Stradivarius violin was sold at Sotheby’s for a staggering $11.25 million. Can you imagine? A single instrument, but so rare, so valuable, that people were willing to pay millions just to own it. But that reminded me of a powerful story about a different Stradivarius violin.

In the early 20th century, the renowned violinist Fritz Kreisler shocked an audience during a concert. Standing before them, he raised his violin high and, to their horror, smashed it over a chair! Gasps filled the room. The audience could hardly believe what they had witnessed. A Stradivarius—one of the finest violins in the world—destroyed in an instant!

THE CLOSER YOU GET

When I was 14 years old, I visited Sevan Monastery for the first time with the youth group of the Araratian Diocese. We were driving toward the Peninsula, and as we got closer, the view became more and more beautiful. The sparkling lake, the green hills, the dramatic cliffs, and finally, the magnificent Monastery—it all seemed to unfold in breathtaking glory the closer we got.

That’s exactly what happens when you get closer to God. The closer you get to Him, the more of His goodness and beauty you will see. The more you look to Him, the more you seek Him, the more His light will illuminate your life.

The Bible says in James 4:8, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” That’s His promise to us. When you make the decision to pursue God, to seek Him in prayer, worship, and obedience, life takes on a whole new beauty….

THE WHISPER OF THE DOVE

Have you ever tried to watch a dove in its natural setting? They’re not like loud birds that demand attention. Doves are quiet, almost shy. If you want to see their beauty, you’ve got to slow down, quiet yourself, and watch without disturbing them.

The Bible often uses the dove as an image for the Spirit of God. Because the dove teaches us something profound about how we need to approach God. When Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove (Matthew 3:16). God was showing us something about His Spirit—that His presence is gentle yet powerful. It’s inviting but not forceful.

And just like observing a dove, connecting with the Holy Spirit requires something special from us. If you want to experience His presence, you’ve got to pause, be still, and remain attentive.

LIFE’S SURPRISE TESTS

One of the most memorable and fearful times that I remember when I attended school some thirty-five years ago in Yerevan was the day when I walked into the Algebra classroom, sat down, and heard those words: “Clear your desk, take out a sheet of paper and a pen. There will be a test today.”

Have you ever been there? You’re going about your week, everything feels smooth and steady, and then, out of nowhere, you’re hit with a surprise test. Maybe it’s a call from the doctor with news you weren’t ready for. Maybe it’s a challenge at work you didn’t anticipate. Or maybe it’s a disagreement with someone you care about deeply. Life has a way of surprising us with its tests.