RESTORATION AND RENEWAL

Today, with Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, we visited the Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral, and our hearts were filled with awe and gratitude. The cathedral, which has been the spiritual heart of the Armenian Church for centuries, is now almost ready to reopen its doors after extensive renovation. The ancient stones, which have witnessed the prayers, hopes, and tears of countless generations, now shine with renewed brilliance.

As we prepare for the grand opening in September, I can’t help but reflect on what this moment means for each of us. Just as this sacred cathedral has undergone restoration, there are times in our lives when we, too, need to be renewed. We might feel worn down by the trials and challenges of life, but God is always at work, ready to restore us, to renew our spirits, and to bring us back to a place of wholeness.

In the book of Isaiah, God says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). God is in the business of making all things new. He takes what is old, worn out, and broken, and He breathes new life into it. Just as the stones of this cathedral have been carefully restored, God is working on the stones of our hearts, shaping us into the people He created us to be.

You might be going through a season where you feel like you’ve lost your shine. Maybe life has taken a toll on you, and you feel like those ancient stones—worn out, tired, and in need of repair. But here’s the good news: God is the Master Restorer. He can take the broken pieces of your life and put them back together in a way that’s more beautiful than before.

Friends, trust in God’s restoring power. Know that He’s not finished with you yet. He’s still working on you, renewing you, and preparing you for something greater. Just as Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral stands as a testimony of God’s faithfulness throughout the ages, your life can become a living testimony of God’s grace, His love, and His restoration power.

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
August 14, 2024