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.

EVERY BREATH IS A GIFT

During the [COVID 19] pandemic, a story went viral that touched millions of hearts. A 93-year-old Italian man recovered from Covid-19 and was given a hospital bill, including 500 euros for a day on a ventilator. As he read the amount, tears streamed down his face. The doctors rushed to comfort him, saying, “Sir, if this is too much, we can work something out.” But the man shook his head and said, “No, I’m not crying because I can’t pay the bill. I’m crying because for 93 years, I’ve breathed the air God gave me—free of charge. And I’ve never stopped to thank Him.”

How often do we pause to thank God for the things we don’t even notice? The air we breathe, the beauty of a sunrise, the laughter of a loved one—all of it is a gift. Genesis 2:7 says, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” …

OVERCOMING DOUBT

When we face challenges, there’s always that temptation to doubt, to hesitate, to second-guess ourselves. We make decisions, and right afterward, we start asking ourselves, “Did I make the right choice? Is this the right thing to do? Did I hear from God clearly?” And sometimes, even when we pray, we wonder, “Is God really listening? Will He answer me? Can I trust that He will fulfill His promises?”

In the New Testament, the apostle James tells us, “Ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:6-8).

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

“I thank my God every time I remember you. Whenever I pray for all of you, I always pray with joy…” (Philippians 1:3-4).

What a powerful statement of gratitude! Paul’s heart overflowed with thanksgiving, not for things, but for people—the people God placed in his life. That same feeling is in my heart, my friends, during this beautiful season of Thanksgiving.

I, too, thank God for each one of you: for your faith, your dedication, your kindness. I thank Him for your prayers, your love, and the way you encourage one another and me. Each of you is a blessing, and it brings joy to my heart to think of you, because I know I’m blessed to walk this journey of faith with a wonderful clergy and faithful of the Eastern Diocese.

THE FRAGRANCE OF VICTORY

In ancient Rome, when a victorious commander returned from battle, the whole city would gather for a grand celebration called a “Triumph.” This wasn’t just any parade. It was a spectacle of victory. The streets were lined with cheering crowds, soldiers marched in their shining armor, and most importantly, incense was burned everywhere. The fragrance of that incense filled the city, proclaiming to everyone that victory had been won.

St. Paul uses this imagery to describe what it means to live in victory through Christ. He writes, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).

HEAVEN IS CHEERING YOU ON

When I was a kid, I practiced judo for seven years. I loved everything about it—the techniques, the discipline, the competitions. There was something special about stepping onto that mat, facing an opponent, and giving it my all. But what made it even more extraordinary was looking over to the sidelines and seeing my mom, my dad, and my brother watching. Just knowing they were there gave me a boost. It didn’t matter how tired I was or how tough my opponent seemed—their presence gave me strength I didn’t even know I had.

In our spiritual life, we have a cheering section, too. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:1, “We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.” That means we’re not running this race alone. Heaven itself is watching over us, cheering us on, saying, “You can do it! Keep going! Don’t give up!”

LET GO OF WORRY

How many times do we find ourselves stuck in a cycle of “what ifs”? What if I don’t get that job? What if the doctor’s report isn’t good? What if my kids don’t turn out the way I hoped? The truth is, worry is like sitting in a rocking chair—it gives you something to do but takes you nowhere.

Lord Jesus said it plainly: “And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Another translation says, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25). In other words, He’s telling us not to stress over things we can’t control. Our worry isn’t adding value to our life—it’s draining it.

ENGRAVING GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

In the Old Testament, the walking stick—the staff—wasn’t just a tool for walking because they were nomadic people. They engraved the moments of God’s deliverance on their staff to remember what God had done. It was their way of saying, “This far, God has brought us.” It became a living story, a record of God’s faithfulness.

When Moses stood at the edge of the Red Sea, with the waters blocking the way and the Egyptians chasing behind, he didn’t just hold up a stick. He lifted up a reminder of God’s faithfulness. That staff carried the memory of God’s promises—the plagues in Egypt, the miracles, the wonders. Moses was saying, “God, You’ve done it before. You delivered us from Pharaoh’s hand, and I know You’ll do it again. Open the way!” And God, faithful as always, parted the sea.

GRAVITY OF HIS LOVE

Have you ever felt like life is spinning out of control? Like everything is pulling you in different directions, and you’re barely holding it together? Maybe it’s the pressures at work, challenges in your family, or the weight of an uncertain future. You think, “How can I keep going when it feels like everything is falling apart?”

Friends, you don’t have to hold it all together by yourself. Because the One who created this universe, the One who spoke life into being, is the same One who is holding you right now. Colossians 1:17 tells us, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” That means God, who set the world in motion, doesn’t step back and watch from a distance. He’s right here, holding you, guiding you, and keeping you steady.

RUN LIGHT, FINISH STRONG

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:2).

I love how this verse compares the Christian life to running a race. It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon. It’s not about how fast you start; it’s about how strong you finish. You’ve got to be focused, determined, and ready to endure. But here’s the key: to run your best race, you have to let go of the weight.

Think about a runner preparing for a marathon. They don’t show up wearing a backpack full of rocks. They don’t lace up heavy boots or layer on bulky clothes. No, they strip down to the essentials—lightweight shoes, breathable gear, everything designed for speed and endurance. Some even shave their heads to reduce resistance! Why? Because every ounce matters. The lighter they are, the faster and farther they can go.

SHARE GOD’S LOVE

On that great day of judgment, a man found himself standing before the Lord. As he waited in line, he started to feel uneasy. He overheard the Lord speaking to those in front of him: “Enter, for I was hungry, and you gave me food.” To another: “Come in, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” And to yet another: “You visited me when I was sick.” Our friend inched forward, growing more and more discouraged. He thought, “I haven’t done any of those things”. His heart sank as he realized his life didn’t seem to measure up to these high standards.

Finally, it was his turn. He looked up at the Lord, expecting disappointment, maybe even judgment. But the Lord’s face shone with kindness, and He looked at the man with a knowing smile and said, “Like you, I was once dejected and downcast, and you lifted my spirit. I was depressed, and you made me laugh.”…