June 9th: On Thursday night, during a joyous, dignified service at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, the new Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan reflected on the Apostolic character of the Armenian Church as a call “to go forth” among its people, and into the world.
“That active, outgoing, Apostolic mission is as urgent today as it was in the First Century,” he said. “In the last few years—in the last few weeks—we have witnessed the troubled state of a world that separates itself from God.” “But my friends,” he continued, “the Apostolic mission of the Armenian Church is to draw the people closer to God. Our Lord has better plans for the children He loves: ‘plans to bring us help and not harm; plans that give us hope, and a future,’ as the prophet of Scripture has promised us.”
He delivered the remarks as part of a short “Service of Enthronement” on June 9, during which he ceremonially took his place as the 13th Primate of the Eastern Diocese. In a symbolic representation of the transition of office, Fr. Parsamyan received the Primate’s staff (called the Assa in Armenian) from outgoing Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan
