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 LORD’S INTENTIONS FOR US

A gardener once observed a bird trying to build a nest on a pile of broken branches from an apple tree. When the bird flew away, the gardener went and destroyed the bird’s nest. The next day, the bird attempted again to build its nest on the same pile of brittle, broken branches. The gardener once again went and destroyed it. The next day, he saw the bird building its nest on one of the other trees in his garden. He looked up, smiled, and left the bird alone. It must have seemed to the poor bird that the gardener was the cruelest man in the world. But the gardener knew

THE FOUR EVANGELISTS

In Christian tradition, the Four Evangelists are often symbolically represented by four living creatures as described in the Book of Ezekiel (1:5–14) and the Book of Revelation (4:6–8): a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. These symbols capture the essence of the message and the character of the Gospel each Evangelist conveys.
In the Armenian Church, we celebrate the Feast Day of the Four Evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Through their divine inspiration and human experiences, these extraordinary men crafted the Gospels, Աւետարան/Avedaran in Armenian.

A DIVINE HOMECOMING: BISHOP MESROP’S RETURN DIVINE LITURGY

The Primate, who had been consecrated as a bishop at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin a week earlier by His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the special badarak before a large gathering of clergy and lay people from near and far. A most blessed and joyous homecoming took place on Saturday, October 14, when newly-ordained Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan returned to New York City’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral to celebrate his first episcopal Divine Liturgy as bishop of the Eastern Diocese.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF THE AREA GATHER AT ST. VARTAN

The religious leaders of the area, with whom we share not just a geography but also a commitment to love and service, joined together in St. Vartan Cathedral to extend a warm welcome to me in my new role as the newly ordained bishop of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. Their presence was a testament to the unifying power of faith and the collaborative work we all aspire to undertake for the glory of God and the betterment of His people.

FIRST EPISCOPAL BADARAK IN DIOCESE

“Having received grace and mercy from you, Lord, we gratefully glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.”

These beautiful words from our Liturgy express my feelings at this sacred hour. Today I am overcome with a spirit of thanks to the Lord—who took my life in His hands, shaped my soul, inspired my heart, rescued me from the shadow of death—and guided me, step by step, to this ministry in His service.

My gratitude to God is accompanied by the warmest thanks to my parents, my family, and my friends of a lifetime. They encouraged me to answer God’s call and have walked beside me, along this journey, nourishing my soul with their continuous support every single day.

HE KNOWS YOUR WORTH

Have you ever questioned your worth? Have you ever felt rejected, overlooked, or underestimated by the world? In society, value is often determined by material wealth or societal status. We are continually appraised by the size of our bank accounts, the labels on our clothes, or the number of followers we have on social media. But God’s economy is different. He’s not looking at your bank account or your list of accomplishments; He’s looking at you—the real you,..

REMEMBERING 9/11

On this day, September 11, my thoughts naturally drift back to where I was years ago—within the walls of Sevan Seminary in Armenia. It was a place where I was surrounded by the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and a deeper understanding of God. Yet, as news broke of the horrifying events, a silence that was unlike any other fell over us. The contrast between our peaceful environment and the chaos unfolding in the world was jarring.

EPHPHATHA: A SPIRITUAL ROADMAP

In the Gospel of Mark 7:34, Lord Jesus performs a miraculous healing; He heals a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. This miracle is more than an episode of history frozen in time. For us, as Christians, it is an invitation to a spiritual life, an entire roadmap pointing us toward the sacred journey we’re all meant to undertake. Let’s explore this invitation, this spiritual program, step by step together.

HONORING THE BIRTH OF MARY

We remember the birthdays of those who are significant in our lives. We also remember the birthdays of significant people in our spiritual lives. The most crucial figure for Christians is undoubtedly our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birth we commemorate on Christmas Day.
Next in importance to Jesus in the spiritual lives of many Christians is Mary, His mother. While we can’t ascertain her exact birth date, September 8th is traditionally the day to celebrate her birth.

FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE

There are moments in life when it feels as though nothing will ever be the same again. One might feel shattered, too afraid to even hold on to hope. While we may intellectually understand that brighter days will come, our overwhelming despair makes it nearly impossible to move beyond our grief and sorrow. In such times, the music of the soul ceases, and the heart loses its joy.

The Prophet Jeremiah encapsulated such despair in his book of “Lamentations,” a collection of sorrowful songs dedicated to Jerusalem after its destruction by the Babylonians. While acknowledging God’s power and justice, Jeremiah …v