On Saturday, September 28, 2024, the North Hollywood Armenian community experienced a special celebration, when H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, paid his first visit to the Armenian Apostolic Church of North Hollywood, presided over the Divine Liturgy, delivered a sermon, and blessed the offering (Madagh). H.E. Archbishop Khacherian blessed and congratulated those present in the church, especially those named Kevork, and expressed his fatherly well wishes to all. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian emphasized the need for collective efforts to work together in order to further advance and prosper the spiritual life of the North Hollywood Armenian community.
Serving the altar were Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian, the Pastor of the Church in North Hollywood, and Rev. Fr. Movses Shannakian, the Pastor of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale, along with deacons, scribes, and the church choir, joined by the choir of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Pasadena, directed by Deacon Yervant Keshishian. The Divine Liturgy was attended by Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian, Chairman of the Western Prelacy Executive Council, and his wife Mrs. Hasmig Hovaguimian, as well as a large group of parishioners from the Armenian Apostolic Church of north Hollywood and faithful members of the Armenian community.
H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian focused his sermon on the Armenian hymn, “O Saint Kevork, the pride of the human race, armed with the weapon of the Holy Spirit, you bravely defeated evil.” H.E. Archbishop Khacherian mentioned that among the shrine of saints there are also saints on horsebacks, who were high-ranking soldiers. St. Kevork was one of these soldiers who already had a high-ranking position, wealth and fame, before embracing Christianity, recognizing the eternal value, its truth and light, and eventually entered the path of Christ and chose to fight against evil until his martyrdom.
During his sermon, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian mentioned that the Christian world continues to honor and celebrate the memory of St. Kevork the Warrior, as his life exemplified holiness through humility and reverence towards God, as well as love and selflessness towards humanity. These saints carried out God’s will and stayed devoted to their faith, earning them the admiration of the people. It is for this reason that individuals have their preferred saints, whom they invoke in times of struggle or adversity. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian concluded that these saints serve as companions for those in need and foster a strong faith and unwavering determination in people.
After the sermon, a luncheon was organized in honor of H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian. At the end of his warm and congratulatory remarks as a token of their appreciation, the Armenian Apostolic Church of North Hollywood family presented H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian with a Pectoral Cross.
It is worth mentioning that before the Divine Liturgy, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian met with Chaldean Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, who paid a visit to the Armenian Apostolic Church of North Hollywood.
