On Saturday, December 27, 2025, the Feast of St. Stephen the Protomartyr was celebrated at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale. On this occasion, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered a sermon at St. Mary’s Armenian Church. Serving at the Holy Altar were Deacon Zohrab Yaralian, Deacon Setrag Karadolian, along with deacons from the churches of the Western Prelacy.
Prior to the sermon, the deacons, dressed in their priest head coverings, ascended the Holy Altar and together chanted the hymn “Stephen, the gentle dove” (Stepanos Kaghtsrig Dadrag).
In his sermon, Archbishop Khacherian reflected on the Gospel teachings, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The Prelate emphasized that the incarnation of the Son of God was the ultimate expression of divine love, as Christ humbled Himself, came into the world, and offered Himself in sacrifice on the Cross. For this reason, Archbishop Khacherian explained, love stands at the core of Christ’s message and parables. True service, he noted, must be rooted in love for others rather than self-interest. Drawing inspiration from the example of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, the Prelate called upon the deacons to follow the path of St. Stephen, and to continue their selfless service with renewed faith and dedication to the Armenian Church and the prosperity of the Armenian nation.
