On Monday, February 9, 2026, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, presided over a Clergy Conference held on the occasion of the Feast of St. Ghevontiants. The conference took place at Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Encino, with the participation of Western Prelacy clergy serving in Los Angeles.
The conference commenced in the church with a prayer service. Following the service, the Prelate delivered a spiritual reflection based on Ezekiel 3:17–18: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from My mouth, you shall give them warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, that same wicked man shall die in his sin, but his blood I will require at your hand.”
The first working session took place in the church hall. Following the Prelate’s welcoming remarks, discussion focused on coordinating liturgical practices during Great Lent and feast days, as well as in celebrating church name days, commemorations, and related events. Archbishop Khacherian listened to the views and suggestions of the attending clergy and offered his concluding observations.
At noon, the clergy were guests at a luncheon organized by the Board of Trustees. The afternoon session began with a reflection by Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, Chairman of the Western Prelacy Religious Council, on His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s 2026 proclamation designating the year as the “Year of the Renewal of Spiritual Life.” Discussions then addressed challenges in Christian education, including Bible study, Sunday Schools, the weekly spiritual publication “Genats Hats,” and the Sunday television program “The Armenian Church.”
In the final session, Very Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian, Dean of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale, addressed the sectarian movement known as “New Born” as a matter of concern. Very Rev. Fr. Sarkissian noted that its teachings diverge from the doctrine of the Armenian Apostolic Church and stressed the importance of educating the faithful so they may avoid spiritual confusion and remain committed in the Orthodox faith. The session also included discussions on improving organizational, disciplinary, and pastoral services in a higher-quality and more purposeful manner.
In his closing remarks, Archbishop Khacherian encouraged the clergy to continue their service with diligence and meticulous care, concluding the conference with prayer and his fatherly blessing.
