Messages Written by Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan

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 …

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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…

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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,

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 …

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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 …

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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?”

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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 …

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