– CELEBRATION OF EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY, VISIT TO THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MONUMENT AND THE ARMENIAN CEMETERY
– MEETING WITH COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES AND A DINNER
Over the past weekend, on Saturday, August 24, 2024, the Fresno Armenian community experienced memorable moments when it welcomed H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, on his Episcopal visit to Fresno. Upon his arrival, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian was greeted by Very Rev. Fr. Ashod Khatchadourian, Pastor of Holy Trinity Church of Fresno, Mr. Berj Apkarian, Honorary Consul of Armenia in Fresno, and member of the Western Prelacy Executive Council, and Ms. Arpi Apkarian, Chairlady of the Holy Trinity Church Board of Trustees, who accompanied the Prelate during his two-day visit to the Fresno Armenian community.
On the same day, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian visited the Armenian Genocide Monument at Fresno University, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, and placed flower wreaths in front of the monument. Following their visit to the monument, the delegation visited the local Armenian cemetery, where a requiem prayer service was held and flowers were laid at the tombs of national hero Soghomon Tehlirian, prominent Armenian American writer and poet William Saroyan, Armenian American historian Prof. Richard Hovannisian, and other dignitaries.
In the evening, a dinner was held in honor of H.E. Archbishop Khacherian, which was attended by the spiritual pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Mr. Berj Apkarian, members of the Board of Trustees headed by their Chairlady, local delegates, and representatives of community organizations operating within the Fresno Armenian community. Following welcoming remarks, The Prelate delivered his heartfelt message, conveyed his well wishes to the Fresno Armenian community, and got acquainted with the attendees while familiarizing himself with the Fresno Armenian community.
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, entered the Holy Trinity Armenian Church, accompanied by Homenetmen scouts, and celebrated Episcopal Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the ninth day of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. During his sermon, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian shared the significance of celebrating this feast and shared that this celebration is a magnificent and eloquent manifestation of the honor bestowed upon the Virgin Mary to become the Holy Mother of God, and deemed this feast a valuable national spiritual tradition, which has been celebrated by the Armenian Church for centuries. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian expressed his optimism that the centuries-old love and reverence of the Armenian people towards the Mother of God will be carried on by future generations of Armenians.
During the Divine Liturgy, on behalf of the Fresno Armenian community, Very Rev. Fr. Ashod Khachadourian welcomed H.E. Archbishop Khacherian and wished him success in his mission. Serving at the altar were Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian, former pastor and current Chancellor of the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia, Very Rev. Fr. Smpad Saboundjian, Pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of San Francisco, scribes and the church choir. The Episcopal Divine Liturgy was attended by the large congregation of Holy Trinity Armenian Church, local delegates, representatives of the community, and devoted parishioners.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a luncheon was organized in the church hall in honor of Arch. Khacherian, providing the community members with an opportunity to engage closely with the Prelate. Ms. Arpi Apkarian, Chairlady of the Holy Trinity Church Board of Trustees, delivered a message on behalf of the Board, expressing that H.E. Archbishop Khacherian’s pastoral visit to the Fresno Armenian community was a success. She mentioned that the communities reception of the Prelate was filled with love, and the intimate and warm atmosphere created by his visit was uplifting, further strengthening the bond between the Holy Trinity Armenian Church and the Western Prelacy.
H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian expressed his gratitude to the Fresno Armenian community, all individuals, volunteers, and benefactors, wishing the Holy Trinity Armenian Church continued growth, new opportunities for prosperity, and the strengthening of the Armenian community. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian conveyed his warm fatherly blessings to everyone stating, “The Fresno Armenian community is one of the first historical Armenian settlements in North America. This shows that on these shores, through the years Armenian generations have been able to faithfully and successfully preserve and pass down our traditional and spiritual values.”
In the afternoon, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian, accompanied by spiritual fathers and the Apkarian family, visited the residence of Ms. Anoush Chamlian. Archbishop Khacherian expressed his appreciation to Ms. Chamlian, in memory of her late husband, Mr. Vahan Chamlian, a national benefactor and founder of Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School in Crescenta Valley.
H.E. Archbishop Khacherian thanked the Chamlian family for their commitment to the Armenian nation and church, and congratulated Ms. Anoush Chamlian on the upcoming 50th Anniversary of Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School, which will be marked next year. The Prelate expressed his gratitude and warm wishes to Ms. Anoush Chamlian, wishing her continued health and longevity.
