HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

“I thank my God every time I remember you. Whenever I pray for all of you, I always pray with joy…” (Philippians 1:3-4).

What a powerful statement of gratitude! Paul’s heart overflowed with thanksgiving, not for things, but for people—the people God placed in his life. That same feeling is in my heart, my friends, during this beautiful season of Thanksgiving.

I, too, thank God for each one of you: for your faith, your dedication, your kindness. I thank Him for your prayers, your love, and the way you encourage one another and me. Each of you is a blessing, and it brings joy to my heart to think of you, because I know I’m blessed to walk this journey of faith with a wonderful clergy and faithful of the Eastern Diocese.

Week after week, Sunday after Sunday, I have the privilege of visiting your parishes. I see firsthand your commitment to the Gospel, your devotion to the Church, and your love for one another. You open your doors, and even more importantly, you open your hearts to welcome me, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

And as we celebrate this season of Thanksgiving, let’s remember that our greatest strength and blessing comes from the Lord’s table. Every time we gather for Badarak, we are united in His presence. The bread and the cup remind us that we are one body in Christ, drawing strength, hope, and joy from being in communion with Him.

So, as we gather around our Thanksgiving tables with family and friends, let us remember the Lord’s table in the Armenian Apostolic Church that unites us all. It’s at this sacred table that we find the grace to keep going, the courage to face life’s challenges, and the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends. May this season fill your hearts with gratitude, your homes with love, and your spirits with joy. And may God bless you and your loved ones richly, today and always.

With gratitude and love,

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
November 28, 2024