The Prelate Presides Over The Divine Liturgy And Delivers A Sermon On The Feast Of The Sons And Grandsons Of St. Gregory The Illuminator
On Sunday morning, July 26, 2026, 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 delivered the sermon of the day. In his sermon, the Prelate reflected on the Feast of the Sons and Grandsons of St. Gregory the Illuminator, which the Armenian Church had observed the previous day, Saturday, July 25. The celebrant of the Divine Liturgy was Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian, Pastor of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church. Serving at the Holy Altar were the deacons, scribes, and the church choir.
Reflecting on the significance of the feast in the life of Christian Armenia and the Armenian people, Archbishop Khacherian emphasized that St. Gregory the Illuminator, together with his sons and grandsons, laid the foundation of Armenian Christian culture. Addressing the faithful gathered in the church, the Prelate stressed that today, as in the past, Armenians are called to preserve their Christian spiritual heritage and culture in its purest form.
“We must preserve this spiritual heritage with complete faithfulness, love, and devotion at every level of our spiritual and national life, so that the Christian tradition that forms an integral part of our identity may be passed on intact to future generations of Armenians,” said Archbishop Khacherian.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Khacherian also presided over a Requiem Service. During the service, a special prayer was offered from the Holy Altar to Almighty God for the repose of the souls of the five martyred heroes of Lisbon. A message was also delivered on the importance of keeping alive the Armenian people’s national and patriotic spirit by following the unparalleled and unforgettable example of self-sacrifice set by the Lisbon Five, whose enduring legacy continues to inspire future generations.
