On Sunday, August 17, 2025, the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, the Mother of Jesus Christ, was celebrated with reverence across all churches of the Western Prelacy. During the ceremonies, the traditions of the blessing of the madagh (offering) and the blessing of grapes were performed, filling the hearts of the faithful parishioners with the spirit of renewal and hope.
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 Apostolic Church of Glendale, which bears the name of the Holy Mother of God. During the Divine Liturgy, the Prelate accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian, Dean of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, and pastors Rev. Fr. Megerditch Keshishian and Rev. Fr. Movses Shannakian, blessed both the madagh prepared for the church’s name day and the harvest of grapes offered by the faithful in honor of the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God.
Among the congregation were Mr. Gaidzag Zetlian, member of the Central Executive Council, as well as members of the Western Prelacy Executive Council, Mrs. Dzovig Zetlian, Mr. Ronnie Gharibian, and Mr. Hovig Bedevian.
In his sermon, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian reflected on the meaning of the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, explaining that the birth of Jesus Christ through the Virgin Mary stands at the very center of God’s divine plan. The Prelate explained that following her repose, her assumption into heaven by her Son, Jesus Christ, is a powerful testimony to the love and reverence shown to the Mother of God, who is also the mother of all humanity. The Prelate shared, “Through this, humanity was lifted to stand among the heavenly, thanks to the Virgin Mary’s boundless obedience to the Creator of the universe and her unwavering faith in living out God’s Word.”
The Prelate elaborated further, by adding, “The Mother of God has always received the highest honor, in heaven and in the long history of the universal Church, because of the spiritual and human virtues she embodies, holiness, purity, modesty, and above all, obedience to God’s will.” H.E. Archbishop Khacherian stressed that Jesus Christ and the Holy Mother of God are not simply figures of the past but remain the cornerstones of Christianity, illuminating the lives of present and future believers and giving true meaning to life.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the faithful received Holy Communion and returned home with blessed madagh and grapes, carrying with them both faith in sacred traditions and the commitment to preserve their national and spiritual heritage for future generations. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian concluded by congratulating the community on the church’s name day and bestowed his fatherly blessings upon all.
