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.

GREAT LENT – DAY 35: SUNDAY OF THE ADVENT

For thousands of years, believers have looked up at the sky, waiting for God’s revelation. As the prophet Isaiah exclaimed, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down” (Isaiah 64:1). This expectation and longing were first fulfilled with the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The heavens opened, and God’s Only Begotten Son took on human flesh, born in a manger in Bethlehem. We are told in the Gospels that people joined the angels above, singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors!” (Luke 2:14). The One who split open the heavens and came down to earth on that silent night in Bethlehem also promised that in the last days, He will come again to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 24:36-44).

GREAT LENT – Day 28: SUNDAY OF THE JUDGE

In his Gospel, St. Luke introduces the parable of the “Unjust Judge” by first telling us the meaning and context of the parable: we must always pray and not lose heart. The circumstances around which Jesus tells this parable and how St. Luke records it for his audience show that the parable is directly connected to their reality, where the audience had concerns regarding prayer. Our Lord Jesus Christ encourages His disciples to be steadfast in their prayer life and not to lose heart since perseverant and steadfast prayer is not an easy task.

Perhaps for some, it is easy to pray, but the difficulty arises when they do not receive the answers to their prayers within their desired timeframe. When we pray for the healing of a loved one and no positive results are observable, we experience frustration. When we plead to God to deliver us from hardships and then find ourselves in difficult circumstances, it may feel as though water is poured on the flames of our prayers, extinguishing that fire.

GREAT LENT – Day 21: Sunday of the Steward

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager, as with other parables found in the Gospels, is about the Kingdom of God. Through the observable realities in the parable, Jesus reveals the invisible truths. Many have wondered as to why our Lord Jesus describes the dishonest manager as an example to emulate. It is important to note that our Lord Jesus does not praise the dishonesty but the shrewdness of the manager and his resourcefulness and approach to money. “And his master commended the dishonest manager because he …

SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON

The Parable of the Prodigal Son as a whole is considered to be a wise masterpiece amongst short stories. Only our Lord Jesus Christ, who knows the human heart, can describe so well the journey of repentance and the path to return to life. In this story, Christ describes the passions and desires of the young man who departs from his father’s home and finds himself in extreme poverty after throwing away his inheritance. He slips into desperation, living in squalor and eating from the pods of the pig…

“BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB I KNEW YOU…”

“Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.’” (Jeremiah 1:4-8)

SUNDAY OF EXPULSION – ARDAKSMAN GIRAGI

Many believe that God sent Adam and Eve away from the Garden merely because of the sin of eating the forbidden fruit. Certainly, they did not obey God’s word, and due to their disobedience, they were expelled from the garden. However, their disobedience was only one of the reasons for their expulsion. The more crucial reason was that they did not accept their sin, and they did not claim responsibility for their own wrongs. The Holy Scriptures tell us that after they had sinned, God asked Adam, “Have you …

DEATH OF MESROB MASHDOTS

On February 17, AD 440, St. Mesrop Mashtots was called to be with the Lord. Today, we pause to honor his memory and seek his intercession, celebrating a saint whose life and legacy continue to shine a light on the path of faith and cultural identity for our people. While visiting the Mother See for the Supreme Spiritual Council meeting, I was blessed with the profound privilege of paying respects at the resting place of this great Saint of the Armenian Church. Standing in this sacred space this morning, I …

POON PAREGENTAN

Poon Paregentan, similar to Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday,” occurs on the Sunday before the Great Lent (Medz Bahk) in preparation for Easter. We celebrate Poon Paregentan (meaning vitality or the good life), which leads us into the longest season of fasting, known as the Great Lent. The Sunday prior to this great feast is when we remember the Good Life in paradise prior to Adam and Eve’s expulsion…

WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!

Our world is filled with uncertainties beyond our control. Throughout history, wars, economic downturns, and pandemics have been a constant in human existence. Christians turn to the Holy Scriptures for guidance in these uncertain times. A poignant story from the Soviet era vividly illustrates this faith. On November 15, 1982, Victoria Petrovna stood solemnly before the coffin of Brezhnev, who had presided over an atheistic regime. As soldiers moved to seal the coffin for transport to the mausoleum, Brezhnev’s wife unexpectedly made the sign of the cross over his chest. In the heart of the Kremlin,

ST. LEON AND HIS COMPANIONS

Today, as we remember St. Leon (Ghevont), the priest, and his companions, we are reminded of the profound sacrifice and unwavering faith that have shaped our history and sustained our Armenian spirit through the ages. St. Ghevont’s life and actions during the Vartanantz war stand as a beacon of courage and divine commitment, illuminating the path of righteousness for all of us, especially those called to serve in the priesthood.