Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

ECHMIADZIN — On October 8, Episcopal ordinations and consecrations were held in the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin. During the celebration of Divine Liturgy in the St. Trdat Open Altar, Rev. Archimandrite Oshakan Gyulgyulyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Iraq; Proto Archimandrite Theodoros Zakaryan, Chairman of the Assembly of Directors of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem; Rev. Archimandrite Mesrop Parsamyan, Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; Rev. Archimandrite Koryun Baghdasaryan, Dean of the manor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Rev. Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia were consecrated, ordained and elevated in rank, by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

Diocesan Primates of the Armenian Church, representatives from the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, benefactors of the Mother See, pilgrims from Armenia, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, Iraq and Armenian Diocese of Syria arrived in Holy Echmiadzin on the occasion of the sacred ceremonies.

On the previous day, in the morning, the service of candidature was held in the St. Trdat Open Altar, during which the bishops reaffirmed their covenant faithfulness to the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, and signed their oaths.

On the same day, in the Open Altar, a public examination was made of the orthodox faith of the candidates. Representatives of the Armenian Church from the United States, Iraq and Georgia, as well as scribes, deacons, priests, bishops, as well as laymen representing different classes of society, approached His Holiness and publicly bore witness on behalf of the candidates.

The Divine Liturgy began with the solemn procession, which led Catholicos Karekin II to the St. Trdat Open Altar, where the sacred service began. Assisting him were Archbishop Michael Ajapahyan, Primate of the Diocese of Shirak and Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh. Archbishop Haykazoon Najaryan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, Pontifical Delegate for India and the Far East testified for the spiritual and religious training and virtues of the candidates.

New bishops are consecrated at Holy Echmiadzin, with Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan at front, third from left

Under the singing of the hymn “divine and celestial grace” the Archmindrates faced the faithful and raised their hands as a sign of rejection of all that is worldly.

Get the Mirror in your inbox:

Afterwards, the service of consecration was offered, during which His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See brought the Holy Chrism. The catholicos called the Archmindrates Oshakan, Theodoros, Mesrop, Koryun and Kirakos to the rank of bishop, and consecrated the candidates’ foreheads and the thumbs of their right hand with Holy Chrism, following which the symbols of episcopacy- the Episcopal staff and ring, were presented to the newly consecrated bishops.

The Catholicos of All Armenians addressed his Pontificial message to the newly consecrated bishops and the pious faithful, present on this joyful occasion: “Today, the prayer is again on our lips for our homeland and people facing serious challenges due to the military crimes of Azerbaijan and the depopulation of Artsakh. With the benevolent will and mercy of the Almighty Lord, we performed episcopal ordination and consecration in the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin.

 

“Currently, when our nation is facing serious problems as a result of the depopulation of Artsakh, our Church, our Holy Fathers, spiritual servants are facing a serious responsibility to zealously bring their important contribution to the work of providing humanitarian aid to those forcibly displaced from Artsakh, to comfort our people who are in pain and suffering, to our brothers and sisters,” stated the catholicos, presenting the consecrated bishops and referring to the years of service to the church and nation.

Then, addressing the newly consecrated Bishops, Karekin II wished them to be strengthened by the abundant graces of the Holy Spirit, to be ready to take up their cross and follow our Lord, following the example of the blessed Holy Fathers.

“Our admonition and message is that you keep your covenant firmly, serve and act according to the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, so that with your service, the love of Christ will be strengthened in the lives of Armenians, and our people will be one-hearted and united. Like our ancestors, be the watchful guardian of our spiritual and national values and sanctities, lead our people with godly steps, with the vision of creating a bright and safe future for the motherland. In this difficult period for the Armenians, when our people and the state are going through difficult trials, continue your good efforts to encourage and strengthen the children of our people, to direct the nation’s abilities and opportunities to overcome the problems of the motherland, to comfort and by all means support our brothers and sisters from the exiled Artsakh. Our faith in Christ and patriotism should be demonstrated in such commitments and servitude,” His Holiness emphasized, wishing that the service of the newly consecrated Bishops would be decorated with good achievements, for the glory of God, for the love of the nation and our Holy Church.

Following the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, the faithful approached the bema, and congratulated them on the occasion of their consecration.

Now Bishop Parsamyan issued a statement after the ordination.

He said, in part, “Yesterday was a transformative moment in my spiritual journey. As I stood in the heart of Echmiadzin, surrounded by the prayers and blessings of generations past and present, I was humbled to be ordained as bishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The weight of tradition, the urgency of the moment, and the gravity of the responsibilities ahead filled the atmosphere with indescribable energy.

“The act of ordination is a beautiful paradox — a melding of individual and community, past and future, the temporal and the eternal. At that sacred moment, I felt the hands of the Catholicos of All Armenians laying upon me, physically and spiritually, linking me to the unbroken chain that goes back to the Apostles themselves. In that instant, I realized I was a part of something much greater than myself,” he said.

He added, “I am grateful for this calling and the countless blessings shaping my path so far. I ask for your prayers and support as I take this significant step, embracing the opportunities and challenges it brings. May God guide us all in our endeavors to manifest His love in our world.”

 

 

Get the Mirror-Spectator Weekly in your inbox: