Messages Written by Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan

CULTIVATING FAITH IN THE NEXT GENERATION

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4)

A Sunday school teacher once had a discussion with a person who firmly believed that children should not be given formal religious instruction but should be free to choose their own religious faith when they reached maturity.

The teacher, not wanting to disagree outright, decided to demonstrate her point. She invited the person to see her garden. As they walked in, the visitor was taken aback. “Do you call this a garden?” he exclaimed.

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THE BEST IS YET TO COME

There was an elderly clergyman who fell seriously ill. His right side was completely weakened; he couldn’t walk, and his eyes could barely see. One of his clergy brothers came to visit him. They sat together, reminiscing about the past. With a heavy sigh, the visiting brother said, “Hayr Soop, our best days are behind us.” But with a sudden burst of strength, the ailing clergyman lifted his head, looked towards the heavens, and said, “No, my dear brother, our best days are yet to come when we shall see our Lord Jesus Christ in His glory, standing at the right hand of God.”

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THE FLAME OF HOPE

Four candles were placed on an altar, their gentle flames casting a warm glow in the silent room. In the corner, a child was hiding near the light and warmth of the candles, staring calmly without blinking. The surroundings were so silent and calm that the child heard the candles’ burning shutters as whispers speaking.

The first candle said, “My name is Peace, but I no longer desire to burn. The world is filled with conflict and strife. My light has lost its purpose.” And with that, the candle extinguished itself.

The second candle spoke, “I am Faith, but …

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TRANSFORMED BY HIS GLORY

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. In Matthew 17, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up to a high mountain. There, He is transfigured before them: His face shines like the sun, and His clothes become dazzling white. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appear, talking with Him. Overwhelmed, Peter suggests building three shelters. As he speaks, a bright cloud envelops them, and a voice declares, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

Imagine standing on that mountain, seeing the radiant glory of our Lord, His face …

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A LESSON FROM THE LIBERTY BELL

One of America’s most cherished symbols of freedom and independence is the Liberty Bell, cast way back in 1751. When I visited Philadelphia, I made sure to see the Liberty Bell. It’s a majestic sight, but you can’t help but notice something – the crack. Actually, it has several cracks. Right after it was cast, it developed its first crack. Over time, these cracks have become a part of its story.

Those cracks in the Liberty Bell remind us that freedom isn’t perfect. It’s not without its challenges and struggles. But those cracks also remind us of something else. Even though the Liberty Bell is cracked, it still rings.

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THE MASTER KEY

At our diocesan center, we have many keys for all the entrance doors. Each key is designed to fit a specific door. If you don’t have the right key, you won’t be able to open that door and gain access. But when I was elected as your bishop, I was given the master key that opened them all. This master key is unique—it can unlock any door in our center, no matter how complex the lock.

Life is filled with difficult doors of decisions and circumstances, and each one requires a different key. We all face situations that seem impossible to unlock.

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GUARD YOUR HEART

Our heart is like a garden. What we plant in it will determine what grows. If we plant seeds of faith, hope, and love, we’ll see a harvest of blessings, peace, and joy. But if we let weeds of doubt, bitterness, and negativity take root, they’ll choke out the life God wants us to experience.

The Bible says, “Keep your heart with all diligence” (Proverbs 4:23). That means we have to be proactive. We can’t just let anything and everything into our hearts. We need to be careful about what we watch, what we listen to, and who we allow to influence us.

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CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES

Chapter 13 of the Book of Genesis provides a perfect example of how our choices define our destiny. It tells the story of two men, Abraham and Lot, who were both believers but had very different outcomes.

Abraham, a man of faith, left his homeland of Ur and ventured into the unknown because he trusted God’s promises. He focused on the spiritual, knowing that where God leads, blessings follow. And we see that God rewarded Abraham’s faithfulness, making him the father of many nations. Abraham’s life was marked by peace, prosperity, and God’s favor.

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HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

While in Armenia for the Supreme Spiritual Council meeting, I had the blessing of ordaining seven new priests at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan today. Each of these seven young men who knelt before the altar embodied a unique calling, a divine purpose that God had planted in their hearts.

Father’s Day is a celebration of fatherhood, and this year, it took on a new meaning for me: I became their spiritual father, consecrating them and dedicating them to the Lord. As I laid my hands on each candidate, I felt a profound sense of responsibility and joy.

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FATHER’S LOVE

The Spanish have a touching story about an estranged father and son. When the son, Paco, leaves home after a severe argument, the father looks for him everywhere. After months of searching in vain, he takes one last desperate step: he publishes an announcement in one of Madrid’s daily newspapers. The statement reads: “Dear Paco, I will wait for you at the entrance of the Almudena Cathedral on Saturday afternoon. Everything is forgiven. I love you. With longing and love, Your Father.”

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