The Diocese
Posted: 09/15/2026
The faithful of St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral gathered on Sunday, September 13, for the celebration of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the fifth and final tabernacle feast on the Armenian Church calendar.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, who reflected in his homily on the central place of the Holy Cross in the life of every Christian. He emphasized that the Cross is not merely a symbol of Christ’s suffering, but the sign of His triumph over death and the source of hope for the faithful.
“The Cross proclaims Christ’s victory over death and remains a powerful sign of hope in a world often marked by uncertainty and turmoil,” Archbishop Derderian said. “When we embrace the Cross in faith, we are reminded that God’s love is stronger than every trial and that, through Christ, darkness is never the final word.”
We present the Primate's sermon in its entirety.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is sacred in the life of our Church, for in the Cross we see the presence of Christ and the sacrifice of the Son of God for the salvation of humanity.
Before Christ, the cross was an instrument of death. Through His Crucifixion, Christ gave it a new meaning and opened before humanity the path of liberation from sin. Therefore, we glorify the Cross and find in it the way of light and abundant life.
Christ reminds us that we shall all experience crosses in the journey of life, before which we have no right to retreat or lose heart. Today, dark clouds gather over our world. Wars multiply, societies are divided, institutions once considered secure become fragile, and rapid changes bring anxiety and uncertainty. The Christian must not ignore these signs or assume that everything will improve by itself.
Christian hope is not blind optimism. It is the spiritual strength to face life truthfully without surrendering to fear or despair. The trials of life are the rains and storms that confront us; faith, hope and love are the spiritual instruments through which we overcome them.
In the hours of His anguish, Christ withdrew and, through prayer, overcame human weakness. We must do the same. When we kneel before the Cross in prayer, an inner strength raises us. When the certainties of the world weaken, the Cross becomes our steadfast guide, leading us toward truth, forgiveness, service and peace.
The Cross also unites the faithful. In a fragmented world, it calls us to become a community of faith and mutual responsibility. It must not remain merely a sacred symbol, but become a lived faith, expressed through sacrifice, compassion, love and service.
Let us remember that the way of the Cross did not end on Golgotha. The Cross was followed by the Resurrection. Thus, there is no darkness beyond the light of Christ and no trial that cannot be overcome through faith, hope and love.
May the life-giving Cross remain uplifted in our hearts and make our lives a living witness to Christ’s saving presence. Amen.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Cathedral community gathered in the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall for a festive banquet marking both the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the 16th anniversary of the consecration of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. William Bairamian served as master of ceremonies. Remarks were also delivered by Parish Council Chairman Mr. Bedros Anserian.
In his remarks, the Cathedral’s Pastor, Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, expressed his gratitude to the members of the Cathedral Parish Council and the parish’s auxiliary organizations for their steadfast faith, dedicated service, and commitment to spreading the Gospel of Christ throughout the community.
Archbishop Derderian also addressed the gathering, highlighting the Cathedral’s vital role as the religious, spiritual, educational, and cultural hub of the Armenian community. He commended Fr. Khajag for his pastoral leadership and praised the dedication of the Parish Council and all those who contribute to the life and mission of the Cathedral.
The celebration continued with vocal performances by the Cathedral’s Shnorhali Choir, under the direction of Deacon Artur Vardanyan, adding a festive musical dimension to the afternoon. Guests were also delighted by musical performances by renowned pianist Armen Martirosyan and a special vocal performance by Lili Michel of the “Sound of Children” Choir.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, one of the Armenian Church’s five major tabernacle feasts, served as a fitting occasion for the Cathedral community to renew its faith in Christ and give thanks for 16 years of worship, service, education, fellowship, and ministry in its consecrated home.
