Feast Of The Nativity And Theophany

The feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the first tabernacle feast of the Armenian Church calendar, was celebrated at St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral on Saturday, January 6, 2018. The day’s celebrant was the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian who was assisted at the Holy Altar by Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, the Cathedral’s Pastor and the deacons. The chants of the Divine Liturgy were peformed by the Khachadourian Choir under the conductorship of Dn. Stepan Gozumian.  

During the service, the Primate welcomed the hundreds of faithful in attendance including Diocesan benefactors as well as acknowledging the presence of Joseph Kanimian, Esq. Chairman of the Diocesan Council, His Excellency Valery Mkrtumyan, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (5th District), His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian and the Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles who read a passage in English from the Gospel.

The Godfather of the Cross was Mr. Martik Vardumyan, a parishioner of St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral.

In his homily, the Primate referred to the Miraculous Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as an invitation to lead a life of purity and wholesomeness for the glory of God. “The birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the presence of the Divine in the life of humanity that leads us to holiness and purity. God’s creatures naturally depend on systematic spiritual renewal so that they may keep their innate faith actively engaged in all endeavors of life, reflecting God’s will by deeds and words.

Christ is Born and Revealed! Blessed is the Revelation of Christ, our Lord!

Every year, when we celebrate the Theophany and recite the above-mentioned proclamation, we feel the need for spiritual renewal in the depth of our souls. When we reiterate the Christmas greeting, we celebrate the beginning of a new life gifted to us by God Incarnate who is the path to wisdom, humility, and holiness.

“Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

The miraculous birth of our Lord and Savor Jesus Christ reawakens in us the very particles of life that has been breathed into us by God, turning us into living souls on the day of the Creation. Whoever comprehends this truth, walks on the path to purity and holiness ‘in the fear of God,’ which is nothing than the wisdom of God,” said His Eminence in part.

The traditional Blessing of the Water Service was performed by the Primate and clergy after which the blessed water was distributed to the faithful. 

Following the service, in a processional led by the Primate, the faithful gathered at the Hampar Family Room for a reception where they greeted and conveyed their heartfelt Christmas wishes to the Primate.