Ringing In The New Year With A Thanksgiving Prayer

In keeping with a revered Diocesan tradition, the new year was welcomed with prayer and thanksgiving at St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral in the early hours of January 1, 2026. At 12:30 a.m., dozens of faithful gathered in the house of worship to ring in the new year, choosing to begin it in the presence of God, united in faith and hope. This annual observance reflects the Armenian Apostolic Church’s enduring belief that every new beginning is best entrusted to God through prayer. Later that morning, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Cathedral at 10:30 a.m., offering the faithful another opportunity to consecrate the first day of the year through worship and thanksgiving.

During the services, the faithful received the blessings of the Diocesan Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, together with the clergy. The atmosphere was one of reverence and warmth, as parishioners greeted one another with heartfelt wishes for a peaceful, prosperous, and healthy new year. The prayerful gatherings served as a reminder that faith, fellowship, and gratitude remain the foundation upon which the Diocesan family seeks to build the year ahead.