Messages Written by Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan

HEAVEN IS CHEERING YOU ON

When I was a kid, I practiced judo for seven years. I loved everything about it—the techniques, the discipline, the competitions. There was something special about stepping onto that mat, facing an opponent, and giving it my all. But what made it even more extraordinary was looking over to the sidelines and seeing my mom, my dad, and my brother watching. Just knowing they were there gave me a boost. It didn’t matter how tired I was or how tough my opponent seemed—their presence gave me strength I didn’t even know I had.

In our spiritual life, we have a cheering section, too. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:1, “We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.” That means we’re not running this race alone. Heaven itself is watching over us, cheering us on, saying, “You can do it! Keep going! Don’t give up!”

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LET GO OF WORRY

How many times do we find ourselves stuck in a cycle of “what ifs”? What if I don’t get that job? What if the doctor’s report isn’t good? What if my kids don’t turn out the way I hoped? The truth is, worry is like sitting in a rocking chair—it gives you something to do but takes you nowhere.

Lord Jesus said it plainly: “And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Another translation says, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25). In other words, He’s telling us not to stress over things we can’t control. Our worry isn’t adding value to our life—it’s draining it.

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ENGRAVING GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

In the Old Testament, the walking stick—the staff—wasn’t just a tool for walking because they were nomadic people. They engraved the moments of God’s deliverance on their staff to remember what God had done. It was their way of saying, “This far, God has brought us.” It became a living story, a record of God’s faithfulness.

When Moses stood at the edge of the Red Sea, with the waters blocking the way and the Egyptians chasing behind, he didn’t just hold up a stick. He lifted up a reminder of God’s faithfulness. That staff carried the memory of God’s promises—the plagues in Egypt, the miracles, the wonders. Moses was saying, “God, You’ve done it before. You delivered us from Pharaoh’s hand, and I know You’ll do it again. Open the way!” And God, faithful as always, parted the sea.

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GRAVITY OF HIS LOVE

Have you ever felt like life is spinning out of control? Like everything is pulling you in different directions, and you’re barely holding it together? Maybe it’s the pressures at work, challenges in your family, or the weight of an uncertain future. You think, “How can I keep going when it feels like everything is falling apart?”

Friends, you don’t have to hold it all together by yourself. Because the One who created this universe, the One who spoke life into being, is the same One who is holding you right now. Colossians 1:17 tells us, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” That means God, who set the world in motion, doesn’t step back and watch from a distance. He’s right here, holding you, guiding you, and keeping you steady.

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RUN LIGHT, FINISH STRONG

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:2).

I love how this verse compares the Christian life to running a race. It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon. It’s not about how fast you start; it’s about how strong you finish. You’ve got to be focused, determined, and ready to endure. But here’s the key: to run your best race, you have to let go of the weight.

Think about a runner preparing for a marathon. They don’t show up wearing a backpack full of rocks. They don’t lace up heavy boots or layer on bulky clothes. No, they strip down to the essentials—lightweight shoes, breathable gear, everything designed for speed and endurance. Some even shave their heads to reduce resistance! Why? Because every ounce matters. The lighter they are, the faster and farther they can go.

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SHARE GOD’S LOVE

On that great day of judgment, a man found himself standing before the Lord. As he waited in line, he started to feel uneasy. He overheard the Lord speaking to those in front of him: “Enter, for I was hungry, and you gave me food.” To another: “Come in, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” And to yet another: “You visited me when I was sick.” Our friend inched forward, growing more and more discouraged. He thought, “I haven’t done any of those things”. His heart sank as he realized his life didn’t seem to measure up to these high standards.

Finally, it was his turn. He looked up at the Lord, expecting disappointment, maybe even judgment. But the Lord’s face shone with kindness, and He looked at the man with a knowing smile and said, “Like you, I was once dejected and downcast, and you lifted my spirit. I was depressed, and you made me laugh.”…

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CASTING INTO HOPE

Fishing is hope experienced. A fisherman casts his line into the water, not because he sees the fish, but because he believes they’re there. Even when the waters are calm and the bites are slow, the true fisherman doesn’t pack up and go home. He stays, expectant. If you ask him, “How can you fish all day without catching anything?” he’ll smile and say, “Hold on, I think I felt something.” And even if the line goes slack, his response is, “He’ll be back!” That’s hope. That’s faith in action.

And as Christians, hope isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s a confident expectation rooted in the promises of God. Paul said it like this in Romans 8:24-25: “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

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KEEP THE TORCH BURNING

In ancient Greece, the runner who won the Olympic race was not the man who crossed the line in the shortest time, but the man who crossed it in the shortest time with his torch still burning. It was a test not only of speed but of endurance, strength, and focus. The race wasn’t about simply finishing; it was about carrying the flame with you, no matter what you faced along the way.

Friends, life is much like that race. We are moving toward our purpose, striving to cross the finish line. But God isn’t just looking for us to complete the race; He wants us to keep our flame burning. When we start our journey, that torch is lit with passion, faith, and joy. But sometimes, along the way, the winds of life start blowing hard. Maybe it’s the winds of disappointment, or maybe it’s the storm of struggles that seem unending. Sometimes, it’s the simple weariness of carrying that torch day after day.

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GOD’S UNFINISHED MAP

This map, displayed in Veharan at Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, is known as Hamatarats Ashkharhatsuyts (World Map). Crafted by Thomas Vanandetsi in 1695 in Amsterdam, it’s the first map ever printed in the Armenian script. It was one of the first printed in Europe to include both geographic details and the stars above.

Crafted with care and incredible precision, it shows us just how skilled and visionary Thomas Vanandetsi was. But there’s something curious about this map—it’s unfinished. The western part of the United States and the eastern part of Australia are missing. Not because Thomas Vanandetsi made a mistake but because, in his time, those lands were still undiscovered! They hadn’t yet come into view.

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A SACRED CONNECTION

During the recent Bishop’s ordination, I had the blessing, the honor, to wear a special cuff, the pazban, on my right arm. This wasn’t just any cuff. This was the very same one that once adorned the arm of Khrimyan Hayrig (1820-1907), the beloved Catholicos of all Armenians. He was a man after God’s own heart—a true shepherd, a beloved father to our people, a leader of unwavering courage and compassion.

As I placed this pazban on my arm, I felt a rush of reverence. In that moment, it felt like more than just fabric and threads. This cuff had been woven with prayers, with the humility and strength of those who wore it before me. It symbolized the dedication, the tears, and the selfless love of our spiritual ancestors, who witnessed Christ through trials and triumphs.

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