On Sunday, May 3, 2026, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, as part of his two-day visit to the Armenian community of Orange County, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church of Orange County. Serving at the Holy Altar were Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, Pastor of Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church, former Pastor Archpriest Fr. Hrant Yeretsian, deacons, scribes, and the church choir. In attendance were benefactors, friends, members of the parish family, and representatives of local Armenian community organizations.
During the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Khacherian began his bilingual sermon with the words, “May Your Cross be our aid and shelter, Lord Jesus,” reflecting first on the Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross, which the Armenian Church observes on the fifth Sunday following the Feast of the Holy Resurrection. The Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross commemorates the miracle of the luminous Holy Cross, which appeared in the sky over Jerusalem in the year 351, during the time of St. Cyril of Jerusalem and Emperor Constantius II. Referring to the four feasts dedicated to the Holy Cross in the Armenian Church calendar, Archbishop Khacherian stated that through the apparition of the Holy Cross, God revealed His love to all humanity who believe in His Only Begotten Son and follow the Crucified Christ. The Prelate added that all those who carry the Holy Cross in their hearts bear witness to their complete devotion and faithfulness to our Heavenly Father.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Prelate presided over a requiem service for the principal benefactors of the church and hall, Manuel and Veronica Keuilian, and Haig and Vartouhi Gugasian. In his heartfelt remarks, Archbishop Khacherian emphasized that the legacy left by these benefactors to their community remains a deeply appreciated, God-pleasing, and nationally beneficial treasure. The Prelate noted that new benefactors continue to build upon that legacy today, further strengthening the Armenian people’s traditional and church-centered mission.
Following the service, a special memorial luncheon was offered in Gugasian Hall in memory of the late benefactors, in the presence of the children and relatives of the benefactor families. Remarks were offered by members of the families of the departed benefactors, as well as by the Pastor of the church.
Archbishop Khacherian delivered the closing message of the memorial luncheon, emphasizing that “although the founding benefactors departed this life many years ago, to the joy of all of us, their memory and work continue to live on from generation to generation.” The Prelate encouraged the faithful, volunteers, and benefactors to continue to keep the church and community life vibrant, and conveyed his fatherly blessings to all those present.
