Proclaiming the Birth of the Savior, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Christ, our Lord on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
At St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral, the day’s celebrant was His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. Hundreds flocked The Cathedral’s sanctuary, to pray and hear “the good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10).
Serving at the Holy Altar alongside the Primate were the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, the Rev. Fr. Nzhdeh Keshishyan and the Rev. Fr. Kapriel Kamaian. The liturgical hymns were performed by the Cathedral’s “Shnorhali” Choir of the under the direction of Deacon Artur Vardanyan, together with the Cathedral’s Khachaturian Choir, under the conductorship of Deacon Stepan Gozumian.
Among the large number of faithful in attendance were His Excellency Karen Israyelyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles; Mr. Derik Ghookasian, Chairman of the Diocesan Council accompanied by his spouse Adrineh; members of the Diocesan Council; representatives of diocesan-affiliated organizations; Diocesan benefactors and Cathedral godfathers. The Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles was also present at the Nativity service.
Prior to the sermon, in accordance with the tradition of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Feast of the Holy Baptism of Christ was also commemorated. The traditional Blessing of the Water Service, symbolizing Christ’s Baptism in the River Jordan, was conducted by the Primate and clergy. Mr. Aramazd Fidanian served as The Godfather of the Cross for the Service.
In his sermon themed “The Nativity of Christ: The Invitation to New Life,” the Primate noted the significance of the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany in Christendom. Archbishop Derderian stated in part, “The birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is an invitation to new life in the life of humanity. To celebrate the Holy Nativity means to relive life in Christ and to reach the summit of spiritual life. The Holy Nativity of Christ, the Son of God, encapsulates within it the boundless love of God, guiding human souls toward light, toward truth, toward a more abundant life, and ultimately toward God.”
His Eminence emphasized that the Holy Nativity grants us the opportunity to descend into the depths of our souls and discover and affirm within ourselves that spiritual strength to welcome and embrace His miraculous into our hearts. He added that the Holy Nativity, through the Incarnation of Christ, is the unbreakable bridge uniting God and humanity, and that as Christians this must continually become the guiding principle of our God-given lives.
After sharing the good tidings of the Holy Nativity, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian extended his congratulations to all and concluded his Christmas message with the following words: “At the threshold of our nation’s life stands the Prince of Peace. Let us all, without exception, open the doors of our souls and make a covenant to become the architects of a new life—through united prayer, the faith of our forefathers, and the vision of a strong homeland–Church as one indivisible whole. Let us give meaning to our God-given lives by transforming them into a source of light radiating from Bethlehem, so that every Armenian family may become a living reflection of Mother Armenia and Holy Etchmiadzin.”
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Primate led a procession to the Hampar Family Room of the Diocesan Headquarters, where the faithful conveyed their heartfelt New Year and Holy Nativity greetings to the Primate.
Chancellery of the Western Diocese
January 6, 2026
