On Sunday, January 26, 2025, the Pontifical Proclamation of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, was read in all churches of the Western Prelacy. The Pontifical Proclamation designates 2025 as the “Year of the Revival of Traditions.”
Marking this special occasion, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church in Hollywood and read the Pontifical Proclamation. The celebrant of the Divine Liturgy was Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian, Pastor of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church, assisted by deacons and scribes. The Divine Liturgy was attended by Mr. Mher Der Ohanessian, Vice-Chair of the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy, members of the St. Garabed Armenian Church community, and faithful parishioners.
During the Divine Liturgy, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian read His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s, 2025 Pontifical Proclamation and elaborated on the Christian foundation and spiritual significance of Armenian national traditions and customs. The Prelate emphasized that these traditions are integral to the Armenian people’s identity, serving as a mirror of their spiritual, national, cultural identity, lifestyle, and heritage. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian shared that just as other nations have their own traditions, the unique customs and traditions of the Armenian people distinguish, define, and preserve the identity of the Armenian nation.
In his remarks, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian emphasized that traditions and customs transcend time, enduring through their transfer from one generation to the next. The Prelate stated, “This is the strength of our people’s spiritual, religious, national, and patriotic resilience and unity. Traditions and customs give meaning, depth, and historical foundation to a nation’s collective life, shaping its culture, arts, and way of life.”
Echoing the guidance of His Holiness Aram I, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian reaffirmed the commitment of the Western Prelacy to revitalize Armenian traditions. The Prelate stated, “We, as the Western Prelacy of the United States, including the Prelate, Executive and Religious Councils, clergy, parishes, and churches, will strive to revive our spiritual, national, collective, and cultural traditions. We will strive to rejuvenate our ancient yet timeless traditions and customs, making them relevant to our present-day lives. Moreover, we will teach these traditions to the children of our new generation, encouraging them to take ownership, cherish, and practice them as a unique spiritual, national, and cultural legacy passed down to them from our ancestors. In turn, they will preserve and pass these traditions to their children and future generations.”
The Prelate highlighted four key points from the Pontifical Proclamation, emphasizing the vital role of traditions as a powerful and effective element in preserving the Armenian people’s wholeness and identity. The Prelate shared the need to reexamine and revitalize traditions, making them more accessible and appealing to the community. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of adapting and integrating traditions with the spirit of modern times, particularly in diaspora communities, to ensure that younger generations actively engage in, celebrate, further enrich, and preserve these traditions and customs. By doing so, these traditions will serve as a bridge linking the past to the present with a modern spirit, giving them profound meaning in both our collective and individual lives, while fostering unity among our people and preserving our heritage, language, church, and culture for generations and years to come.
