Fr. Mesrop Ash was born on June 12, 1981, to Ralph and Jeanine Ash. Through his parents’ dedicated service, he was raised within the community of St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles. His formative years were devoted to Sunday School, Armenian Church Youth Organization, and the Western Diocese Summer Camp. As a young adult, he transitioned to leadership within the life of the Church, finding outlets for service in Lay Ministry with the youth. During this time, he gained valuable experience working with the Armenian Assembly of America and studying in the field of Organizational Communications. He also developed skills in IT, particularly in web design and development.
In 2005, with the support and encouragement of the Primate, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, he was accepted as a Candidate to the Priesthood for the Western Diocese and subsequently served as Diocesan Youth Director for two years. In 2006, he was ordained to the Order of the Diaconate by Abp. Derderian. In 2008, he married his dear wife Ani, who has ardently supported him in his ministry. In 2009, with the blessing of the Primate and His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, he began his studies at the Kevorkian Seminary and Theological University located at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia. On April 29, 2012, he was ordained and consecrated to the Holy Priesthood.
Since 2012, Fr. Mesrop has served as the Parish Priest of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco, a richly diverse parish with impactful ministries. In 2015, Fr. Mesrop and Ani were blessed with their first child, Maneh, and in 2018, they welcomed their son Sion. Fr. Mesrop has served multiple terms on the Diocesan Council of the Western Diocese and, since 2020, continues as the spiritual director of the Western Diocese Summer Camp program. In 2023, he was honored as the Western Diocese Priest of the Year. Additionally, Fr. Mesrop serves on the board of the San Francisco Interfaith Council and was elected chair in 2024.
Contact
To contact Fr. Mesrop directly regarding pastoral matters call him at (415) 661-1142 ext. 16, or email him at pastor@stjohnarmenianchurch.com.