On Sunday, December 21, 2025, during his visit to the Armenian community of Orange County, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered a sermon at Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church. During the Divine Liturgy, the Prelate granted the parish pastor, Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, the honor of wearing an ornamental cope.
The Holy Altar was served by the parish pastor, assisted by deacons and scribes, along with the church choir. Among the large gathering of faithful parishioners were the region’s National Delegates, representatives of affiliated and local organizations, members of the Kessab Educational Association of Los Angeles, and members of the parish community.
In his sermon, Archbishop Khacherian focused on the scriptural passage, “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted, and whoever exalts himself will be humbled.” The Prelate recounted the parable of Jesus Christ in which a Pharisee and a tax collector stand in a temple to pray. During prayer the Pharisee, speaking at length about himself, continuously praises his actions and emphasizes his own righteousness before God, while the humble tax collector seeks God’s mercy and asks forgiveness for his sins.
Archbishop Khacherian explained that of the two prayers, the tax collector’s was pleasing to God. The Prelate emphasized that humility leads to exaltation, while self-praise prevents the prayer from reaching heaven and shared that although the Pharisee’s words about himself were accurate, his approach and understanding of prayer were flawed and in need of correction. Archbishop Khacherian encouraged the congregation to approach prayer with humility, so that the Almighty Lorg may receive and favorably consider our requests and pleas offered to Him.
During the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Khacherian invited the congregation to stand and listen attentively as the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, was read, formally granting Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian the right to bear an ornamental cope. With special prayers, Archbishop Khacherian blessed the kneeling priest, placed the cope upon his shoulders and explained that through this ceremony, Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian was honored and elevated to the second rank of priesthood.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Prelate presided over the fellowship luncheon organized in honor of his visit to Orange County Armenian community, prepared by the church’s Ladies Guild. The luncheon was filled with warm welcoming words and congratulations, during which Archbishop Khacherian expressed his high praise and deep appreciation for the efforts and dedication of the parish pastor, the Board of Trustees, and the volunteers, as well as for the spiritual, national, and cultural activities carried out in the Orange County community. Accompanied by Rev. Fr. Bedourian, the Prelate cut a cake prepared for the occasion and shared his fatherly blessings with all in attendance.
