On Sunday, October 12, 2025, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, celebrated the Feast of the Holy Translators at Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Encino, which had recently marked its 62nd anniversary.
Serving at the altar were Archpriest Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian, Pastor of Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church, along with deacons and scribes. The faithful parishioners and community members gathered to participate in the Divine Liturgy and hear the Prelate’s sermon, which reflected on the invention of the Armenian alphabet by St. Mesrob Mashdots and the transformative national and spiritual movement it inspired. Through this movement, St. Mesrob Mashdots and his disciples established Armenian education, language, and literature throughout 5th-century Armenia, beginning with the translation of the Holy Bible into Armenian. This historic translation allowed the Armenian Church to worship in its own tongue and gave the Armenian people the profound gift of hearing God’s word in their native language.
Highlighting the importance of the year 405 AD in Armenia’s historical, political, and cultural life, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian emphasized that by the invention of the Armenian alphabet St. Mesrob Mashdots and his followers preserved the Armenian identity against the anti-Armenian policies of powerful empires such as Assyria, Persia, and Byzantium, all of which sought to dominate and assimilate the Armenian nation.
In his sermon, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian emphasized that through the vision and mission of St. Mesrob Mashdots and his successors, the Armenian language, both spoken and written, has remained the foundation of Armenian identity and survival. The Prelate noted that despite centuries of hardship, displacement, and pressures of assimilation, the Armenian people have endured, because of the gift of their alphabet.
Reflecting on the Golden Age of Armenian history, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian praised the wisdom, unity, and foresight of King Vramshabouh, Catholicos Sahag Bartev, and St. Mesrob Mashdots, whose joint efforts and sacrifices ushered in a renaissance of faith and intellect for the Armenian nation through the creation of the Armenian alphabet.
The Prelate concluded by affirming that the Armenian alphabet, which has warmed Armenian hearts since the 5th century, continues to serve as a source of strength and hope for the future. The Prelate urged the faithful to remain committed in preserving the Armenian language with care and to continue thinking, speaking, writing, and reading in Armenian wherever they live.
During the Divine Liturgy, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian also blessed the offering (madagh) prepared for the Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic church’s 62nd anniversary. On this occasion, the Prelate extended his heartfelt congratulations to the parish community and later joined them for a celebratory luncheon, offering his fatherly blessings and best wishes to all in attendance.
