Diocesan Clergy Visit Ararat Home On The Feast Of The Exaltation Of The Holy Cross (Khatchveratz)

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Diocesan Clergy of the Greater Los Angeles area visited the elderly residents of Ararat Home in observance of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the fifth and final tabernacle feast of the Armenian Church calendar.

The annual visitation reflects an honored tradition of the Western Diocese, through which the clergy regularly bring the prayers, blessings, and pastoral presence of the Church to Armenian seniors. These visits provide an opportunity for the clergy to spend time with the residents, strengthen bonds of faith and fellowship, and remind them of their enduring place at the heart of the Armenian Church community.

During the visit, the clergy celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with the residents and staff. The traditional Blessing of the Four Corners of the World (Andastan) and the blessing of the basil was performed. The blessed basil was then distributed to those in attendance, continuing a beloved Armenian Church custom associated with the feast.

The visitation was a meaningful expression of the Diocese’s pastoral commitment to its elderly faithful, honoring their lives, faith, and longstanding contributions to the Armenian community.