The Diocese
Posted: 09/20/2019
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, (Khatchverats), the fifth and last tabernacle feast in the Armenian Church calendar was observed on Sunday, September 15, 2019. At St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral, the Feast was celebrated with tremendous zeal and excitement. Hundreds took part in the episcopal celebration of the Divine Liturgy, with the Diocesan Primate His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian as the day’s celebrant and homilist. Assisting Archbishop Derderian at the Holy Altar were Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan and the Cathedral’s deacons.
In a moving and solemn processional, following the traditional Blessing of the Four Corners of the World (Antasdan), the youth were led to the Cathedral’s nave by their parents and grandparents in a ceremonious fashion, where they received the blessings and commendations of the Diocesan Primate. Introducing the youth to the congregation, Archbishop Derderian encouraged the future torchbearers of the Armenian Church to remain steadfast in their ancestral Christian Faith, to lead prayerful lives, to uphold and revere the sacred traditions of the Armenian family, to emulate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to become model citizens of society.
As a symbol of passing the torch to the young generation of faithful, the grandparents presented a New Testament wrapped in silk cloth to their grandchildren, earning the applause of the congregation.
In his homily, Archbishop Derderian called upon the faithful to reflect on the significance of the Holy Cross in Christendom. “The Holy Cross mirrors the life of the Christian faithful. In the Holy Cross we not only see the sacrificial life of the Son of God, but also see the source of inspiration of our spirituality. As the faithful children of the Church our spirituality is enriched with the life-giving power of the cross. Thus, today, as we celebrate the exaltation of the Holy Cross, we equally thank the Almighty God for gracing humanity with Incarnation of His Only Begotten Son. Christ our Lord continuously leads us all to live a meaningful and sacrificial life.”
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross officially kicked off the year-long celebration leading up to the 10th anniversary of consecration of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral which will be observed with great jubilation on Sunday, September 13, 2020.
Prior to the conclusion of the service, the ceremonial blessing of the basil leaves was held.
Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the 14th annual stewardship luncheon honoring the pillars of the Western Diocese was held in the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Banquet Hall. Close to 200 guests, supporters and donors of the Stewardship Program attended the luncheon, which was emceed by Stepan Khzrtian, Esq., member of the Cathedral’s 10th Anniversary Committee.
In the artistic portion of the program students of the Baremakutyun Dance ensemble (Artistic Director Lusine Gevorgyan) and the Sound of Children Choir (Musical Director Sirvard Kavoukjian) delighted the audience with their dance and choral performances, respectively.
Remarks were delivered by Mr. Derik Ghookasian, Chair of the Stewardship Committee who expressed his wholehearted gratitude to the pillars of the Diocese, reflecting on their immense contribution of educating the pastors of the flock of Christ. “You as pillars stand testimony of God’s way of life. An enormous part of that life is intentionally passing the torch on to the next generation. Therefore, as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Cathedral, we leave a legacy of glory as we influence the next generation to live for Him. It is not our glory but His glory reflected through us; it is not our legacy, but His legacy continuing through us,” stated Mr. Ghookasian in part.
In his benediction, Archbishop Derderian referenced to the colossal mission of the Stewardship Committee in preparing the next wave of priesthood-candidates for pastoral service. “The reverend clergy who serve in Diocesan parishes of Los Angeles, La Crescenta, Newhall, Rancho Mirage, Fresno, Yettem, Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Scottsdale, Portland, are the fruits of your labor. It is through your loyalty and steadfastness in the mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church that we have been able to collectively broaden our horizons. The mission parishes of the Western Diocese have also benefited and have thrived as a result of the Stewardship Program,” stated Archbishop Derderian. His Eminence also expressed his wholehearted gratitude to the members of the Stewardship Committee chaired by Mr. Derik Ghookasian for their loyal service and firm belief in the noble and God-pleasing mission.
The luncheon concluded with the Primate’s closing prayer.
