On Sunday morning, September 20, 2026, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church in Hollywood and delivered a sermon commemorating the 35th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Prelate presided over a Prayer Service for the Republic of Armenia, offering prayers to Almighty God for the continued strengthening of Armenian statehood, the establishment of lasting peace throughout the Armenian homeland, and the wholehearted participation of the Armenian people in the prosperity and development of their beloved homeland, so that the national identity and character of future generations would continue to be nurtured and preserved for centuries to come.
Serving at the Holy Altar were Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian, Pastor of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church, along with deacons and scribes. Among the large congregation of faithful was Dr. Kaloust Agopian, a member of the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy.
In his sermon, Archbishop Khacherian noted that the spiritual leaders of the Armenian Church have incorporated the concept of the homeland into the Church’s religious and spiritual services, recognizing it as a sacred and cherished value. He emphasized that, for centuries, the Armenian people have struggled to defend their homeland against foreign powers and armies seeking to subjugate them.
“The concept of national independence is a supreme value for all countries and states,” declared the Prelate. He explained that a homeland is the ancestral land inhabited for centuries by a people who share common historical roots. It is the place where a nation’s spiritual, intellectual, and cultural values, traditions, and ways of life have been practiced, safeguarded, and passed down from generation to generation, forming the foundation of its national identity, civilization, and cultural heritage.
Referring to the recent visit of Armenian-American religious leaders to Washington, D.C., Archbishop Khacherian noted that the visit took place on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. As spiritual leaders representing the Armenian people, the world’s first Christian nation, they extended their congratulations to the President of the United States, which the Prelate described as the most powerful nation in the Christian world.
During their visit, the Armenian religious leaders also highlighted the significant contributions Armenian communities across the United States have made to the preservation and development of Christian traditions throughout more than a century of America’s 250-year history. Through their faith, way of life, and values, Armenian-American communities continue to play an important role in preserving Christian traditions and enriching the Christian character of American society.
