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.

HOW GOD WORKS THROUGH US

The other day, I was at the airport, sitting in the lounge, grabbing a quick lunch between flights. Like I always do, I made the sign of the cross and blessed my food. It wasn’t anything grand or dramatic, just a simple act of faith—acknowledging God’s goodness in providing my daily bread. But as I did, I noticed a lady sitting across from me. She gave me a strange look, almost as if to say, “What are you doing?” I didn’t let it bother me; I just smiled, enjoyed my lunch, and moved on.

A little while later, that same lady stood up and left. But as she walked away, I noticed something. She had forgotten her AirPods case on the couch. I grabbed it, ran after her, and said, “Excuse me, ma’am, you left this behind!” She turned around, surprised, and replied, “Thank you!” Then, after a brief pause, she added with a warm smile, “Merry Christmas.”

THE BLESSING OF WAITING

We live in a world where patience is in short supply. Fast food, instant messaging, next-day delivery—everything around us screams, “Hurry up!” But God’s way often requires us to slow down, to trust, and to wait. Waiting is not wasted time. It’s preparation time. It’s strengthening time. It’s trusting time.

The psalmist reminds us, “Wait for the Lord and be strong; let your heart be strong; wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). Waiting can feel like the hardest thing in the world. Maybe you’ve been praying for healing, and it hasn’t come. Maybe you’re waiting for a breakthrough in your career or for a loved one to turn back to God. In those moments, it’s easy to get discouraged. That’s why the Bible tells us to “be strong” while we wait.

BLESSING OF POMEGRANATES

Since 2015, we’ve embraced a beautiful tradition to welcome the New Year by blessing pomegranates. Why pomegranates? Because this fruit, so intricately woven into our Armenian heritage and Christian faith, carries profound symbolism. From its deep red color to the abundance of seeds, the pomegranate has come to represent new life, fresh beginnings, and the overflowing blessings God has in store for us.

When you crack open a pomegranate, you’re met with a burst of color and hundreds of seeds, all packed inside. It’s a visual reminder that God’s blessings aren’t stingy. God doesn’t just want to fill our lives; He wants to overflow in our lives. Ephesians 3:20 tells us He’s able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

STEP INTO THE FLOW

I recently came across a quote by French author Hervé Bazin that deeply resonated with me: “It’s not the river that runs, but the water. It’s not time that passes, but us.” Isn’t that powerful? It’s a reminder that life isn’t about watching the clock tick or the days go by. Life is about how we move through time, how we choose to live in the moments God has given us.

The river itself doesn’t move; it’s the water that carries the life, the energy, the purpose. In the same way, it’s not time that changes us—it’s how we move through the moments we’re given. Are we just standing on the banks, watching life pass us by? Or are we stepping into the flow, letting God lead us to where we’re meant to go?

MAKE ROOM FOR THE MIRACLE

“She gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7). The Son of God, the Savior of the world, was about to enter history. The long-awaited Messiah was arriving, and yet, when Mary and Joseph knocked on the innkeeper’s door, the answer was, “No room.”

But that “no” didn’t stop God’s plan. That innkeeper’s refusal didn’t stop Jesus from being born. God’s purposes are going to be fulfilled whether we participate or not. Yet the innkeeper missed out on the greatest blessing of his life. He missed the privilege of housing the Son of God.

THE GREATEST GIFT OF CHRISTMAS

On a crisp Christmas morning, a mother watched with joy as her six-year-old son eagerly unwrapped his gift. All he had asked for was a wheelbarrow, and there it was—bright red, shining under the glow of the Christmas tree. His eyes sparkled with excitement, lighting up the room brighter than any holiday sparkle.

As she prepared Christmas dinner, her son disappeared with his prized gift. Hours passed, and panic gripped her. Searching the house and yard, she found no sign of him. She ran to a pastor friend, pouring out her fears. The priest, full of compassion, offered to accompany her to the police station but suggested a quick stop at the church across the road to pray for the child’s recovery.

THE TRUE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS

There’s a beautiful story about the birth of Jesus, that teaches us an incredible truth about God’s heart. The shepherds came to see the newborn King, bringing their gifts. Some brought fruits of their labor, others brought treasures from their homes. But one shepherd stood off to the side. He was very poor, he didn’t have anything to give. Can you imagine how he must have felt? Embarrassed, overlooked, like he didn’t belong.

But then something amazing happened. Mary, holding Jesus, looked at that shepherd with compassion. She saw his empty hands, and she called him forward, and she placed Jesus into his arms. In that moment, those hands that once seemed so empty became the cradle for the greatest gift in history.

THE HELMET OF SALVATION

The head is one of the most vulnerable parts of the human body. Whether it’s a soldier in battle, a motorcyclist on the road, or a construction worker on a job site, they all know the importance of a helmet. Why? Because that helmet gives them confidence. It is their assurance that their head—their most vital and exposed part—is protected.

That’s exactly what the Psalmist is talking about when he says, “O Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer, you have covered my head in the day of battle.” (Psalm 140:7). In the spiritual lives, our “head,” representing our mind and thoughts, is a primary target of the enemy. Most of the battles we face start in the mind. The enemy knows that if he can discourage you, distract you, or fill your mind with fear, he’s already halfway to winning the fight.

COURAGE THROUGH FAITH

Fear is a universal human experience. It whispers lies into our hearts, telling us that we’re all alone, that the challenges are bigger than us, and that we’ll fail. The only weapon against fear is faith. Faith doesn’t mean you’ll never feel fear; it means you don’t have to let fear control you.

Courage, my friends, is not the absence of fear—it’s the presence of faith. Faith in a God who is always with you. Faith in His promises that He will never leave you, never forsake you, as the Holy Scriptures remind us: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God, he himself will go before you, in your midst. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

YOU ARE OF GOD

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

This verse from the first letter of St. John is a reminder of who we are and whose we are. We are not defined by the opinions of others. We are not defined by our past mistakes, our weaknesses, or our challenges. We belong to the Creator of the universe. The Almighty God has placed His Spirit inside us, and the One who is in us is far greater than anything we’ll ever face in this world.