On Sunday, April 20, 2025, the joyous Feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was gloriously celebrated in all churches of the Western Prelacy of the United States, inspiring hundreds of faithful parishioners with the hope of inheriting eternal life through the Risen Christ.
Parish communities across the Western Prelacy gathered in great numbers to attend the Divine Liturgy in their local churches, celebrating Holy Easter with heartfelt joy and spiritual enthusiasm. H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered his Easter sermon at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale. In his sermon, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian reflected on the meaning of the Resurrection of Christ, emphasizing that for centuries, the Feast of the Holy Resurrection has been a celebration of life and joy. Through His triumph over death, the Risen Jesus Christ transformed fear into hope and granted believers the promise of eternal life. Humanity has long rejoiced in this spiritual salvation and the promise of eternal life, and by celebrating this sacred feast each year, the Armenian Church reaffirms its enduring proclamation of the Crucified and Risen Christ as our Spiritual Shepherd. The Armenian Church, for centuries, has faithfully passed this message of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, from generation to generation and community to community, and continues to do so, inspiring and enlightening the faithful children of its flock so they can, in turn share the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ with others.
In his sermon, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian explained God’s plan for redemption, beginning with Adam and culminating in the coming of the “Second Adam,” Jesus Christ, whose death conquered death, and whose Resurrection instilled in us the promise of eternal life. The Prelate emphasized that through God’s divine plan, humanity was renewed and became worthy of a new life, “Our faith,” he said, “is a faith in life, anchored in the Resurrection of Christ. This mortal, temporary life no longer defines us, we belong to eternity because we believe in the glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today, we collectively celebrate that eternal joy together.” H.E. Archbishop Khacherian added that as Christian we must not pursue material wealth, but instead pursue eternal values in our lives, to become more noble, more compassionate, and more devoted to serving our faith beyond the material, so that through our faith, we may inherit the right to eternal life through Jesus Christ.
At the conclusion of his sermon, in celebration of the Feast of the Holy Resurrection, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian extended heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, all parish communities of the Western Prelacy, to the faithful congregation of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, and conveyed his fatherly blessings to all.
Present at the Divine Liturgy were Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy, Executive Council members, benefactors, friends, and a large gathering of faithful parishioners.
