Last week, the Armenian Apostolic Church commemorated the emotionally and spiritually moving liturgical services of Holy Week. At St. Leon Ghevontiants Armenian Cathedral, the Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Services were presided by the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

Palm Sunday

On April 13, the Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Cathedral’s Pastor Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan. Thousands of faithful gathered to participate in the day’s sacred events and take part in the traditional procession. His Eminence warmly welcomed the presence of many children and joyfully acknowledged the participation of the Sunday School students and their teachers, offering his blessings to all. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the symbolic "Opening of the Door" ceremony was conducted, representing the Second Coming of Jesus and the Last Judgment. During the hymn “Open to us, O Lord, the door of Your mercy,” clergy knelt and knocked on the curtain representing the gate to the Heavenly Kingdom, fervently praying for God to open it. The clergy, on behalf of the faithful, declared that only through confession and repentance can one be worthy of God's Kingdom.

Maundy Thursday

On the morning of Maundy Thursday, April 17, the Divine Liturgy of the Last Supper was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Nzhdeh Keshishyan, Assistant Pastor of the Cathedral and Pastor of the Armenian Church of North Hollywood.

Later that afternoon, the Foot Washing ceremony was performed at the Cathedral with the participation of Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan and Rev. Fr. Nzhdeh Keshishyan. His Eminence blessed the holy oil with the Holy Cross and, following the example of Christ’s humility and love, washed the feet of deacons, altar servers, and children. In his sermon, His Eminence reminded that Christ’s act of washing of the feet was a lesson in humility and compassion. He emphasized that this ritual is a balm for hardened hearts and that Christ’s entire life was a lesson in humility. Hundreds of children took part in this sacred ceremony. The faithful returned home with spiritual joy and blessed oil.

On the evening of Holy Thursday, April 17, the emotional ceremony, commemorating the Passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, included readings from the Gospels and the heartfelt hymn “Where Are You, My Mother?” The Church’s chandeliers were extinguished during the hymn “Glory to God in the Highest.” His Eminence noted that this ceremony evokes deeply transformative images—Christ’s prayerful presence in Gethsemane, the heavy cross on the road to Golgotha, and His crucifixion—images that represent the core mission and purpose of our lives. He urged everyone to find in these images the testament of divine love and to recognize them as the very meaning of our spiritual journey.

Good Friday

On the afternoon of Good Friday, April 18, the Burial Service of Jesus Christ was conducted with the participation of the clergy. His Eminence conveyed the spiritual meaning of the day to the faithful. He remarked, “To be present in prayer at Christ’s burial is to bury the weight of sin within ourselves. Glorifying His burial reveals our spiritual joy, for through Christ we are freed from the burden of sin and look forward to His miraculous Resurrection.” He invited all to pray with reverence and understand the profound truth that our ancestors walked over scorching desert sands, their bodies buried, but the vision of resurrection never buried. “Thus,” he said, “a life lived in Christ always bears the divine light, the breath of Resurrection—creating new life, new families, and a bright future.” Christ’s symbolic tomb was adorned with crosses, incense burners, candles, and flowers. The moment was sacred and consecrated by the presence of all.

Easter Eve 

Prior to the Easter Eve Divine Liturgy on April 19, Cathedral deacons read Scripture passages related to the Resurrection. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, and the faithful praised Christ’s glorious Resurrection with heartfelt hymns. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the faithful, holding lit candles, listened to the joyful hymn “Christ is Risen from the Dead.” His Eminence gave his Easter blessings and congratulatory message to all. Following the Liturgy, he specially commended Rev. Fr. Shahbazyan, the talented deacons and altar servers, and the Parish Council for their exceptional service.

Holy Easter

On Easter Sunday morning, April 20, at 10:30 AM, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian celebrated the Divine Liturgy of Christ’s Glorious Resurrection. Present at the service were Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles His Excellency Karen Israyelyan, members of the Diocesan Council, Cathedral godfathers, benefactors, representatives of various community, cultural, charitable, educational, and organizations, along with a large congregation of faithful.

Also present at the service were national benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Vache Manoukian, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Israelyan, and Mr. Zaven Akyan were also present, as well as the Cathedral’s godparents Dr. and Mrs. Aramayis and Natella Paronyan.

Assisting His Eminence were Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan and Rev. Fr. Nzhdeh Keshishian. Both choirs of the Cathedral sang Resurrection hymns under the direction of Masters of Ceremonies, Stepan Gozumyan (Khachadourian Choir) and Dn. Artur Vardanyan (Shnorhali Choir).

In his Easter sermon, His Eminence chose as his theme: “Now it is high time to awake out of sleep” (Romans 13:11). He emphasized that Easter morning is the dawn of our new life, and through Christ’s Resurrection, a Christian is reborn with a new and everlasting hope. “Never try to limit the deep mystery of the Resurrection to mere words,” he said, “because in it lies the spiritual strength that transforms the human soul.” He recalled the words of the Apostle Paul: “For to me, to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21), and encouraged everyone to let Christ’s Resurrection illuminate our lives with love, goodness, and truth.

His Eminence reminded that this message of the Apostle encapsulates the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection, "so that we may dispel the darkness veiled within us and become, everywhere and for everyone, the living and active message of love. This is the imperative addressed to us all, so that only words bearing goodness may be inscribed upon our lips, and our hearts become the engine moved by the enlightening counsel radiating from the Gospel."

At the conclusion of his sermon, the Diocesan Primate invited everyone to "embrace Christ’s Resurrection, in order that under His, we may welcome the dawn of new life. We are spiritually enriched and strengthened when instill in the hearts of our children the love for God and prayer. Let us present to our youth the bountiful and sacred offerings of our Homeland, and instill in them the sanctity of the Armenian Christian family.”

After the Divine Liturgy, both choirs of altar servers joyfully sang the hymn “Today He is Risen from the Dead.” His Eminence then proceeded in procession to the “Turpanjian” Plaza of the Ghevontiants Cathedral, where thousands of faithful exchanged Easter greetings and well-wishes. Dozens of faithful challenged Archbishop Derderian in a traditional Easter egg-cracking game.

On the occasion of Easter, the Primate offered a prayer on behalf of the clergy and Diocesan authorities for the good health of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

Chancellery of the Western Diocese
April 22, 2025