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.

WAITING PATIENTLY WITH HOPE

Have you ever heard of the modern-day prayer? It goes this way: “Lord, give me patience, and I want it right now.” Patience is not a virtue our society seems to favor. Few of us like to wait – it reminds us we’re out of control. When we are waiting, it may feel like nothing is happening. Sometimes, when we pray, and the answer doesn’t come right away, we start to wonder, God, are You even listening?

But the Bible tells us that waiting is not wasted time. When we’re waiting, God is working. And patience is not just about waiting. It’s about how we wait. Do we spend that time worrying, getting anxious, pacing the floor? Or do we use that time to deepen our trust, to lean into God, and to grow in faith?

THE BEAUTY OF THE HEART

We live in a world that’s obsessed with appearances. Everywhere we turn, society places an immense value on how we look—our bodies, our clothes, the cars we drive, and even the homes we live in. People may judge us by what we wear, how much we’ve achieved, or how we present ourselves.

But God has a different perspective. The Bible tells us about God’s criteria for beauty: “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). It’s easy for people to overlook you, to discount you because you don’t fit their mold. But God sees your heart. He sees you when you choose to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. That’s what matters to God.

RECHARGE YOUR INNER BATTERIES

Rechargeable batteries are nothing new. Way back in 1859, a brilliant French physicist named Gaston Plante came up with an early version of them. Now, imagine how surprised Plante would be if he could see our world today, a world so dependent on his invention. Batteries are essential to our modern life—they power our vehicles, devices, computers, children’s toys… These little boxes of energy keep things running smoothly, but they need to be recharged, or they’ll run down and die. And isn’t it always at the worst possible time?

THE FACE OF CHRIST

In his work “Christ,” Ivan Turgenev recounts a mysterious vision he had in December 1878, in which he found himself as a young boy in a ground-level church in his village. He describes the scene vividly: ancient icons lit by thin red candles, each surrounded by a rainbow crown of small flames. It was dark and dim in the church, filled with people, all village folks with blond heads, swaying like ripe wheat in the wind.

Suddenly, a man came and stood next to him. Though Turgenev didn’t turn to see him immediately, he felt it was Christ…

HARMONY IN UNITY

Yesterday, we experienced something truly special at St. Vartan Cathedral; our choir sang without any instruments, just pure voices lifting up in acapella worship. As I stood there, listening to their voices rise and fall in perfect harmony, I was reminded of something profound about our walk with God.

How often do we fall into the trap of thinking we’re not enough? We tell ourselves, “If only I had more time, more resources, more talent—then I could truly serve God, then I could truly make a difference.” We think we need all the bells and whistles—the perfect circumstances, the right tools, the best opportunities—to worship, to serve, to be effective.

CHOOSING LOVE OVER JUDGMENT

Our society is quick to judge. Just turn on the TV, scroll through social media, and you’ll see it everywhere—people tearing each other down, pointing fingers, casting blame. It’s almost like it’s become second nature to us. But that’s not the life God has called us to live.

God has called us to a higher standard. He’s called us to love, to build each other up, and to see the best in one another. That’s not always easy in a world where judgment is so prevalent, but it’s the path that leads to true peace, true joy, and true fulfillment.

KEEP SWINGING

Sometimes in life, we feel like we’re up against impossible odds. We’ve given it our all, but the breakthrough seems far off. We’re like a baseball player who keeps swinging but can’t seem to hit that home run. It’s in those moments that we need to dig deep, trust in God’s plan, and remember that victory might be just one swing away.

Last Saturday, with the parishioners of Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Armenian Church we had a day out at the ballpark to watch the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals are a team that knows something about perseverance…

JOURNEY OF FAITH

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been constantly on the move—traveling from New York to Chicago and Racine, then to Canada and Armenia. As I was flying back from Armenia, I found myself with ample time—16 hours, to be exact—to reflect on the journey of life. Isn’t life itself a journey? We’re constantly moving, going from one stage to the next, often unsure of what lies ahead. Yet, we trust that every step is part of a greater purpose.

Today’s Gospel reading gives us a beautiful example of someone also on a journey—Mary, the Mother of our Lord.

ARARAT’S TESTIMONY

This morning, as I was flying back to New York from Armenia, I looked out of the airplane window and saw the magnificent Mount Ararat. What a sight! This mountain stands as a living reminder of God’s unwavering promises and the incredible resilience of His people. It was on these very slopes that Noah’s Ark came to rest after the great flood, a story that speaks volumes about God’s faithfulness and the strength of those who trust in Him (Genesis 6:11–9:19).

Mount Ararat is more than just a mountain. It’s a beacon of hope, a symbol that no matter how turbulent life’s waters might be, God’s promises…

RESTORATION AND RENEWAL

Today, with Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, we visited the Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral, and our hearts were filled with awe and gratitude. The cathedral, which has been the spiritual heart of the Armenian Church for centuries, is now almost ready to reopen its doors after extensive renovation. The ancient stones, which have witnessed the prayers, hopes, and tears of countless generations, now shine with renewed brilliance.

As we prepare for the grand opening in September, I can’t help but reflect on what this moment means for each of us.