On the night of Friday, December 6, 2024, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, presided over a Christmas concert organized jointly by the church choir and youth group of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Fresno, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Ashod Khachadourian, Pastor of the church.
The event celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church was attended by Very Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian, Dean of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Glendale, Mr. Berj Apkarian, Honorary Consul of Armenia and a member of the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy, Mr. Berdj Karapetian, Executive Chairperson of the Armenian American Museum, along with a large number of community members.
In the church courtyard, the choir of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church performed Christmas hymns and songs in Armenian, English, and Arabic. The boys and girls from the church youth group also presented a theatrical performance portraying the birth of Jesus Christ, contributing to a lively atmosphere rich with Christian faith.
At the conclusion of the performance, Rev. Fr. Ashod Khachadourian expressed gratitude to H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian for his presence and shared that the event, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, signifies the start of a series of festive events to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. Rev. Fr. Khachadourian thanked the church community, various groups, and the Armenians of Fresno for their involvement in the spiritual, national, educational, and cultural initiatives of the community.
H.E. Archbishop Khacherian expressed his appreciation to the Pastor and Board of Trustees of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, the dedicated volunteers, for their attentive care and diligent efforts and praised the local Armenians of Fresno for their active involvement and significant contributions towards the advancement of the spiritual and national aspects of the community. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian also commended the church choir and youth group members, emphasizing that the large crowd gathered in the church courtyard is a testament to the church’s 125-year rich history of spiritual and national service and serves as an assurance for the continued progress and advancement of the Armenian community of Fresno.
Subsequently, with the direction of H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, a group of children emerged from the assembled crowd, and with their delicate hands, they illuminated the exquisitely decorated Christmas tree positioned in the courtyard, heightening the excitement and joy of the attendees to its pinnacle.
It should be noted that in Fresno, His Holiness paid a paternal visit to the philanthropist of the Diocese, Mrs. Anoush Shamlian, and to the distinguished Armenian families of the region, and received their warm hospitality. Spiritual, national and community figures accompanied the leader, the Holy Father.
