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.

DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?

Today is Lazarus Saturday, a powerful day in our church calendar that reminds us of one of the greatest miracles in Scripture. A day when Jesus didn’t just speak about life, but He proved He had the power to bring it. He called Lazarus who had been dead four days out of a tomb, and that man walked out fully alive.

But before that miracle ever happened, something else had to take place. Jesus looked at Martha, Lazarus’ sister, and said these words: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” Then He asked her a question: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:25).

ANOINTED FOR PEACE

For years, I thought that verse from the famous psalm was just beautiful poetry—David’s way of saying God was keeping him healthy, maybe keeping his mind strong. But I didn’t realize just how powerful that imagery is—until I learned what David, the shepherd boy-turned-king, was really pointing to.

In the Middle East, shepherds would take special care of their sheep. Because out in those dry fields and rocky hills, the danger wasn’t always a wolf or a lion. Sometimes, the greatest torment came from the smallest enemies—flies.

SECOND WIND

When I was a teenager, I practiced judo, and part of our training included running. There were times when I would run and run, and suddenly, I felt like I couldn’t take another step. My legs were heavy, my lungs were burning, and my body was shouting at me, “That’s it. You’re done.”

And yet, if I kept going just a little longer, something amazing would happen. I would catch my second wind. Suddenly, the exhaustion lifted, my strength returned, and I felt like I could run forever!

OVEN OVER MICROWAVE

We’ve all been there—waiting for a dream to come to pass, a prayer to be answered, a door to open. And if you’re like me, you probably don’t enjoy the waiting. We want things fast, quick, right now. But God doesn’t work on our timetable. He’s not rushed, not stressed. God is never in a hurry, and He’s never late. His timing is always right.

Think about baking a loaf of bread. There’s a process involved. First, you gather the ingredients, mix them together, knead the dough, and then—you wait. You put it in the oven and let the heat do its work. But here’s …

SOUL DETOX

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine recently discovered something fascinating. They found that when we sleep, our brains actually flush out toxins. While we’re resting, brain cells go to work, pumping fluid in and out, removing waste and debris. Isn’t that amazing? God designed your body to cleanse itself while you sleep.

Now, just like your brain needs that deep rest to flush out physical toxins, your soul needs deep spiritual rest to flush out emotional and spiritual toxins—fear, guilt, shame, bitterness, worry. And the way we find that rest is by getting into God’s presence, soaking in His promises, and meditating on His Word.

PLAYFUL PEACE

Did you know that the Armenian word for peace, Khaghaghoutiun [Խաղաղութիւն], which we hear so often during Badarak, comes from the root word khaghal [խաղալ] meaning “to play.” Isn’t that amazing? Peace, at its very core, is tied to this idea of pure, childlike playfulness.

Think about the way children play. They aren’t burdened by yesterday’s worries or tomorrow’s fears. They’re just enjoying the moment —laughing, running, and soaking in every bit of joy life has to offer. And that’s the heart of true peace. It’s a peace that renews your joy, refreshes your soul, and allows you to move through life with a light, playful spirit.

PRESS PLAY ON TODAY

Do you remember the cassette tapes? Back in the day, if you wanted to hear your favorite song again, you had to hit the rewind button. And sometimes, if you weren’t careful, you’d go too far back, and then you’d have to fast-forward and try to find the right spot. It wasn’t instant like today’s streaming, you had to be patient.

But do you know what was even worse? When the tape got tangled. You’d take out the cassette, grab a pencil, and start winding it back, trying to fix it. Some of you remember those days! But here’s the thing: life is not a cassette tape. There’s no rewind button to undo the past, no fast-forward to skip ahead to the good parts. All you have is this moment.

THE MELODY WITHIN

I remember vividly the first time I heard Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. I was just a teenager, not knowing much about classical music. But when those notes filled the room, it was like they reached into the deepest part of my heart. I was captivated, and in that moment, I made a decision: I was going to learn to play that piece on the piano.

Here’s the thing—I had never touched a piano before. Not a single lesson, not a clue where to start. But something about that melody stirred my soul, and I couldn’t let it go. I got the music score and went to work. Day by day, I figured it out. I struggled to read the notes. My fingers stumbled over the keys. But six months later, after countless hours of practice, I could play the Moonlight Sonata by heart.

TRAVELERS THROUGH TIME

Ever since H.G. Wells published “The Time Machine” in 1895, people have been fascinated by the idea of traveling through time. The thought of stepping into a machine and witnessing the distant future or revisiting the past stirs our imagination. But the truth is, we are all time travelers.

Every second, we move forward, journeying toward an inevitable destination—one not crafted by human hands but by the eternal will of God. Unlike the fictional travels of Wells’ time traveler, our journey is real. We are moving through time at a steady pace, one heartbeat at a time, one breath after another. And at the end of this earthly voyage lies something beyond imagination: Eternity.

FROM BELLS TO SIRENS

When I lived in Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia, every morning, I would wake up under the great ring of the Cathedral bells. Those bells were calling the brotherhood to prayer, reminding us that before we do anything else, before we start our day, we come before the Lord. They called us to worship, to seek God, to remember what truly matters.

Now, here I am in New York City, and no bells are ringing me awake! Instead, I wake up to the shriek of an ambulance or the wail of police sirens. At first, it felt jarring, even unsettling. Where was the peace? Where was that gentle, holy invitation?