On Saturday evening, September 27, 2025, in celebration of the Feast of St. Kevork (George), H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered a sermon at the Armenian Apostolic Church of North Hollywood. The Prelate’s sermon focused on the passage from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, “Fear God who, after your body has been killed, has authority to cast you into hell.”
Serving at the altar were Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian, Pastor of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North Hollywood, along with deacons, while the church choir was directed by Deacon Yervant Keshishian, Choir Director of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church of Pasadena. Members of the St. Sarkis choir also joined the local choir, enriching the spiritual experience of the Divine Liturgy. Among those in attendance were Mr. Hovig Bedevian, member of the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy, the church community, and a large gathering of faithful parishioners.
In his sermon, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian highlighted the saints and martyrs who gave their lives for their faith and for the glory of Christ, with special emphasis on St. Kevork the Warrior and his followers. The Prelate stressed that they did not fear physical death but accepted martyrdom for the salvation of their souls and for the faith they had anchored in Jesus Christ, so that they might save their souls and become worthy of the divine gift of eternal life.
“The true death is the eternal loss of the soul,” H.E. Archbishop Khacherian noted, explaining that the saints and those martyred in the name of Christ demonstrated this truth through their martyrdom in the material world, ensuring that their souls would not be condemned to hell, but would instead glorify God in heaven.
Connecting the sermon to the spirit of national and collective life, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian referenced the parable of the rich fool told by Jesus Christ. The Prelate explained that material wealth does not guarantee security. On a national level, what matters is creating lasting riches in our collective life, preserving and modernizing our cultural and ethnic values to keep them relevant and living today. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian emphasized the importance of cultivating and passing on our morals and values that endure beyond the temporary, so that “the continuity and lasting progress of our collective national life may be secured for future generations.”
Following the blessing of the offering (madagh), H.E. Archbishop Khacherian proceeded to the church hall, where he congratulated the parish on its name day and extended his best wishes to those bearing the name Kevork. The Prelate praised the parish’s spirit of volunteerism that strengthens community life. Sharing a meal with the North Hollywood parish family, the Prelate offered his fatherly blessings, wishing the Armenian community renewed energy and enduring strength.
