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The Western Prelacy Celebrates The Feast Of Nativity And Theophany Of Jesus Christ

By January 9, 2025January 21st, 2025No Comments

On the morning of Monday, January 6, 2025, the Feast of Nativity and Theophany of Jesus Christ were solemnly celebrated in all the churches of the Western Prelacy of the United States. This annual celebration offered the Armenian church and the faithful parishioners a renewed opportunity for spiritual growth and strengthening of faith, filled with heavenly blessings.

H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, celebrated the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany with a Divine Liturgy, delivered a sermon, and performed the Blessing of Water at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale. Present at the Divine Liturgy were Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian, Chairman of the Western Prelacy Executive Council, Mr. and Mrs. Varant and Houri Melkonian, national benefactors, members of the church, and a large congregation.

The Holy Altar was served by Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Torossian and Rev. Fr. Movses Shannakian, Pastors of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Glendale, along with deacons, scribes, and the church choir, who conveyed the spirit of the Feast of Nativity and Theophany to the Armenian community through the melodies of Nativity hymns.

On this occasion, His Eminence Archbishop Kegham Khacherian delivered a sermon reflecting on the divine opportunity for renewal granted to humanity through the birth of Jesus Christ. The Prelate emphasized the significance of becoming a renewed person through Christ and detailed the reasons why the Armenian Church annually celebrates the Birth and Baptism of Jesus Christ on January 6. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian explained that the Apostles of Jesus Christ, when establishing the Christian Church, designated January 6 as the date for celebrating both the Nativity and Theophany of Christ. Expressing his joy, the Prelate highlighted the Armenian Church’s unwavering dedication to this tradition, noting that it has faithfully celebrated the Birth and Baptism of Jesus Christ on January 6 from its earliest days to the present. H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian stated, “Today, the Feast of Theophany, one of the earliest Christian Feasts, is regarded as a distinctly Armenian tradition, thanks to our steadfast adherence to the customs of our Church and the diligent preservation of these traditions by our Catholicoses.”

In his sermon, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian encouraged the faithful to start the new year with a deep reflection on the meaning of the Feast of the Nativity. The Prelate emphasized, “Christ’s purpose in coming into the world, according to God’s plan for humanity’s salvation, was centered on humanity itself, on renewing those who had fallen into sin and strayed from their divine nature. Therefore, God sent His only Son into the world to save mankind from eternal loss.” The Prelate urged the congregation to embrace renewal by amending their ways, striving for purity, showing greater care in their relationships with others, and, above all, seeking a closer relationship with God.
During the Divine Liturgy, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian conducted the Blessing of Water, a ceremony symbolizing the baptism of Jesus Christ. The Prelate explained, “Jesus Christ did not need to be baptized, but He instituted it for our sake, so that the renewal of humanity through Him begins with baptism. Through baptism, we are united with the Church, and Christ Himself is the head of the Church.” H.E. Archbishop Khacherian extended heartfelt well-wishes for the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany to all members of the Western Prelacy’s extended family, offering a message of blessings to the congregation.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the church choir led the faithful in jubilant hymns celebrating the Feast of Nativity and in the singing of Cilicia. Spiritually renewed and refreshed, with blessed water and filled with heavenly grace, the faithful departed for their homes, embracing the joy and blessings of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany.

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