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.

THE TORCH OF HOPE

St. Gregory of Narek, a great figure in Armenian spirituality, profoundly understood this dichotomy: “When your torch of hope is there, even the night is dawn for me.” (Prayer 65) These words, written with the pain and beauty of a soul intimately acquainted with suffering, remind us that it is not the absence of darkness that defines our hope but the presence of a light that darkness cannot overcome. In the quiet moments before dawn, a profound silence seems to envelop the world. During these times, the darkest hours just before the light, our hearts often grapple with the most profound despair. Yet, in this waiting, it is precisely here that we find the potential for the greatest hope.

BY HIS LIGHT I WALKED

In today’s world, where we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the darkness of uncertainty, pain, and loss, it is easy to feel lost. But remember, no matter how thick the darkness around us may seem, the light of God never diminishes. His presence is a constant source of comfort and guidance. When we place our trust in Him and truly believe in His almighty power, He leads us from darkness into His marvelous light.

IN THE NAME OF JESUS

When growing up, did your family ever tell you to “uphold the family name?” “uphold the honor of your family name.”? Indeed, dear friends, we are called to uphold our Lord’s name to reflect how God loves, honors, and saves us. We are called to uphold our Lord’s name with our orthodox faith and righteous living. In the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “Holy be your name.” How do we make God’s name holy? It’s through our lives. We honor God’s name by what we do and how we live. But, our actions can also …

THE NAMING OF OUR LORD

In our lives, names hold a profound importance. Most of us carry names that embody meaning and history. We often name our children after our ancestors or influential figures, underscoring the value we place on names. Throughout history, names like Alexander the Great, Tigran the Great, Socrates, Julius Ceasar, Isaac Newton… have etched themselves deeply in our collective memory. Their impact was like stars shining bright, yet their legacy, in many cases, faded into darkness, leaving behind …

FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU!

Years ago, there was a ship caught in a severe storm. Everyone on board the ship was filled with fear. A sailor on board had his son with him. Someone noticed the calm the young boy was while everyone around him panicked. So, they walked over to the boy and asked, “Son, how can you be so calm in this storm? Aren’t you afraid of what might happen?”

LET US LOOK TO JESUS

Two boys were playing in the snow and decided to see who could walk in the straightest line in the snow. One boy fixed his eyes on a distant tree and walked straight towards it without looking back. The other boy kept checking his path, turning around every few steps. The first boy’s path was perfectly straight when they reached their goal, while the second’s was zigzagged. The second boy asked how the first managed such a straight line. The first replied, “I just kept my eyes on the tree and didn’t look …

WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR WITH GOD’S LOVE

Today is the last day of the year. Standing on the threshold of a new beginning, we are naturally filled with mixed emotions. There is excitement and hope but also an undeniable undercurrent of fear, primarily driven by the fear of uncertainty. The fear of uncertainty is a profoundly human experience. It’s the quiet voice that asks, “What’s going to happen next?” It’s the anxiety that keeps us awake with questions: What will happen to the financial markets? How will our personal finances be affected? …

UNDERSTANDING OUR DIVINE PURPOSE

Imagine this: Before the stars twinkled in the night sky, before the mountains rose in majesty, God thought of you. Before the universe burst into existence, you were in God’s heart. This is not just poetic imagery; it is the reality of God’s love. The entire cosmos, in all its vastness and beauty, was crafted as a home for us, the pinnacle of His creation, solely so He could express His love for us. Understanding this truth transforms us. When this profound reality sinks into our souls, it eradicates any …

THE JOURNEY OF LIFE

One of the main themes throughout the Scriptures is that of a journey. It is difficult to find the story of someone in the Holy Scriptures who is in a serious dialogue with God and is not on a journey. It appears to be the case that God is not found sitting still. Perhaps the explanation is that faith is always revealed along the way on the journey. The Book of Acts testifies that the original name of the Church was called “The Way”, and the first Christians were called “The Followers of the Way” (Acts 9:2).

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE OF BISHOP MESROP PARSAMYAN

Peace is one of the great themes of Christmas: the beautiful idea that flows through the story of Christ’s Nativity, and warms our hearts at this time of year. It was the message that the angels announced over the fields outside of Bethlehem, more than two thousand years ago: “Glory to God in the highest Heaven; and on Earth, Peace to those on whom His favor rests” (Lk 2:14). eace, of course, is something we all long for. We pray for peace among nations—for an end to hatred and conflict, and to the human waste of war. Likewise, we pray for inner peace: for