H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian Celebrates Divine Liturgy At
St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church
On the evening of Thursday, February 13, 2025, all churches of the Western Prelacy of the United States celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple. Despite the heavy rain and unfavorable weather conditions, devoted parents brought their young children to church to offer them to God, following the biblical account in which the elder Simeon took from Mother Mary the 40-day-old infant Jesus in his arms, asked God to let him depart from his life in peace, as he had seen the light of the revelation of Jesus Christ, and carried in his arm the Son of God, as promised by the Holy Spirit.
Among those present at the celebration was Mr. George Chorbajian, Secretary of the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy.
H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, presided over the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple celebration at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale. In his sermon, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian emphasized that the Gospel is not merely the biography of Jesus Christ, but rather a collection of key moments and teachings from His earthly life, where He shares values meant to guide humanity according to His divine teachings.
Highlighting the significance of Jesus Christ’s presentation to the temple, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian explained the old tradition where every firstborn child belonged to the Lord and had to be offered to the temple. However, in order for parents to bring their firstborn back home, they had to offer a sacrificial gift or an animal to the temple. Reflecting on this old tradition as a moral lesson, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian urged parents to recognize their children as divine blessings from God and to raise them with spiritual awareness, just as Simeon immediately understood and testified to the fulfillment of God’s promise upon embracing the infant Jesus.
Speaking about the essence of the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian described it as a celebration of parental responsibility, reminding parents to diligently fulfill their duties and responsibilities to their children. The Prelate also shared that the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple, rich with traditional customs, has no connection to bonfires or fire rituals but instead symbolizes the Light of Christ. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian shared, “The bonfire is simply an ancient Armenian tradition, reminding us of our pre-Christian heritage and connecting us to our roots,” and concluded his remarks by stating, “One who recognizes the Light of Christ does not cling to the material bonfire and the substance of fire.
Following the Divine Liturgy, parents proceeded to offer their children to God’s Temple through the blessings of the clergy.
During the Divine Liturgy, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian acknowledged the presence of Homenetmen scout leaders, stating that while Homenetmen is an organization centered around physical education, it also serves as a dedicated moral and cultural institution where, under their flag, Armenian youth are nurtured and instilled with strong values.
After commemorative photos were taken, the Homenetmen scouts and the leadership group, headed by H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, attended a luncheon organized by the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church. During the luncheon, Mr. Pierre Manoukian, Chairman of the Homenetmen Regional Executive of Western United States, expressed gratitude to H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian for his continued support of Homenetmen and honored him with Homenetmen’s symbolic shield pin.
The luncheon concluded with Homenetmen scouts singing the Homenetmen scouts anthem, “Oh, Brave Armenian,” in honor of H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian.
