Messages Written by Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan

PLAYFUL PEACE

Did you know that the Armenian word for peace, Khaghaghoutiun [Խաղաղութիւն], which we hear so often during Badarak, comes from the root word khaghal [խաղալ] meaning “to play.” Isn’t that amazing? Peace, at its very core, is tied to this idea of pure, childlike playfulness.

Think about the way children play. They aren’t burdened by yesterday’s worries or tomorrow’s fears. They’re just enjoying the moment —laughing, running, and soaking in every bit of joy life has to offer. And that’s the heart of true peace. It’s a peace that renews your joy, refreshes your soul, and allows you to move through life with a light, playful spirit.

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PRESS PLAY ON TODAY

Do you remember the cassette tapes? Back in the day, if you wanted to hear your favorite song again, you had to hit the rewind button. And sometimes, if you weren’t careful, you’d go too far back, and then you’d have to fast-forward and try to find the right spot. It wasn’t instant like today’s streaming, you had to be patient.

But do you know what was even worse? When the tape got tangled. You’d take out the cassette, grab a pencil, and start winding it back, trying to fix it. Some of you remember those days! But here’s the thing: life is not a cassette tape. There’s no rewind button to undo the past, no fast-forward to skip ahead to the good parts. All you have is this moment.

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THE MELODY WITHIN

I remember vividly the first time I heard Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. I was just a teenager, not knowing much about classical music. But when those notes filled the room, it was like they reached into the deepest part of my heart. I was captivated, and in that moment, I made a decision: I was going to learn to play that piece on the piano.

Here’s the thing—I had never touched a piano before. Not a single lesson, not a clue where to start. But something about that melody stirred my soul, and I couldn’t let it go. I got the music score and went to work. Day by day, I figured it out. I struggled to read the notes. My fingers stumbled over the keys. But six months later, after countless hours of practice, I could play the Moonlight Sonata by heart.

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TRAVELERS THROUGH TIME

Ever since H.G. Wells published “The Time Machine” in 1895, people have been fascinated by the idea of traveling through time. The thought of stepping into a machine and witnessing the distant future or revisiting the past stirs our imagination. But the truth is, we are all time travelers.

Every second, we move forward, journeying toward an inevitable destination—one not crafted by human hands but by the eternal will of God. Unlike the fictional travels of Wells’ time traveler, our journey is real. We are moving through time at a steady pace, one heartbeat at a time, one breath after another. And at the end of this earthly voyage lies something beyond imagination: Eternity.

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FROM BELLS TO SIRENS

When I lived in Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia, every morning, I would wake up under the great ring of the Cathedral bells. Those bells were calling the brotherhood to prayer, reminding us that before we do anything else, before we start our day, we come before the Lord. They called us to worship, to seek God, to remember what truly matters.

Now, here I am in New York City, and no bells are ringing me awake! Instead, I wake up to the shriek of an ambulance or the wail of police sirens. At first, it felt jarring, even unsettling. Where was the peace? Where was that gentle, holy invitation?

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SEVAN’S KHATCHKAR: A WITNESS OF FAITH

At the ancient Sevan Monastery in Armenia stands a remarkable khachkar—a cross-stone unlike any other. Most Armenian cross-stones don’t depict Christ on the cross because our faith doesn’t stop at the crucifixion. We don’t dwell on the suffering; we celebrate the victory! We proclaim the risen Christ, the triumphant King! But this one, dating back to the 13th century*, is different.

Carved into this stone, we see Jesus crucified. And at the bottom, we see the harrowing of hell—the moment when Christ, in His power and glory, descends to set the captives free! This is a reminder, my friend, that even in what looks like defeat, God is working a victory!

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HAD JESUS TOLD IT DIFFERENTLY

When Jesus told the story of the Prodigal Son, He was painting a picture of God’s limitless, extravagant love! But imagine if the story had gone differently if the father had been like so many in the world today:

The son, broken, worn out, and desperate, finally makes his way home. He’s standing at the door, knocking, waiting, hoping for mercy. But instead of running to embrace him, his father cracks open a window and looks down with suspicion.

“Oh, it’s you,” he says. “Spent everything, I suppose? Look at you! What a mess. What do you want now? A handout? You had your share. And now, when you’re in need, suddenly you remember where home is.”

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FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

These two photographs, placed side by side, tell a story far beyond what the eye can see. One, nearly a century old, captures my grandfather, Jirayr Parsamyan (third from the left), standing with his friends—survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Though they had lost so much, they never lost their faith. The other photograph? It shows me standing in the very same place where I was ordained first as a priest, and later as a bishop. Together, these images witness God’s unwavering hand, faithfully guiding our family through the generations.

My grandfather was forced to flee his homeland, Western Armenia, because of the first genocide of the 20th century perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey from 1915 to 1923. He walked through suffering, through hardship…

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OUR FUTURE IS IN GOOD HANDS

Yesterday, I had the joy and privilege of spending time with the bright and dedicated students of Gevorgyan and Vazgenyan Seminaries who are preparing to serve Christ and His Armenian Church. Walking through the halls of this sacred institution, I was reminded of my own seminary days—the long hours of study, the deep theological discussions, and the fervent prayers that shaped my journey.

Meeting these young seminarians, I saw the next generation of leaders, young men who have answered God’s call, and who have stepped into their divine assignment. They could be anywhere, doing anything, but they have chosen to dedicate their lives to something greater than themselves. They are preparing to bring hope, healing, and truth to a world that desperately needs it!

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THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

I was just fourteen years old when I first stood on the altar of St. Sarkis Church in Yerevan, wearing a robe that felt too big for my shoulders but a heart that burned with a calling I didn’t yet fully understand. I remember the scent of the incense, the flickering candlelight, and the way my voice trembled as I joined in the hymns. In those moments, I had no idea where God would take me.

Years have passed since that day. Life has taken me across continents, through trials and triumphs, through moments of doubt and seasons of great faith. And now, I find myself back in that same sacred space—not as the young altar boy, but as a bishop—I kneel once more before the same altar and worship the same faithful God.

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