On March 31, 2024, in celebration of the Feast of the Holy Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, tens of thousands of faithful locked the St. Leon (Ghevontinants) Armenian Cathedral, the spiritual center of the Western Diocese to pray and proclaim the most sacred words in Christianity: "He is Risen."

The day's celebrant and homilist was His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese. In his remarks, Archbishop Derderian reflected on the significance of Holy Easter in accepting and embracing Christ, our Lord in our lives. "As we celebrate Easter, we perceive life through the prism of Holy Scriptures, recognizing the Son of God as the path to truth and holiness, ultimately leading us to God. At the break of Easter dawn, we receive spiritually the promised light and an abundance of life. To celebrate Easter means to be in Christ's presence, to believe in His salvific mission, and to journey with Him from the crucifixion at Golgotha to the empty tomb - a symbol of victorious resurrection." stated His Eminence in part.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were His Excellency Dr. Karen Israyelyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, national benefactors and philanthropists Mr. and Mrs. Vatche and Tamar Manoukian, Diocesan Council Chair Mr. Vartan Nazerian accompanied by his spouse Bertha, award winning producer, philanthropist and physician Eric Esrailian, M.D., Diocesan benefactors, and Cathedral Godfathers. 

At the conclusion of the service, a procession was led by the Primate to the Cathedral's Turpanjian Plaza where the faithful were met with festive Armenian music. Hundreds of faithful participated in the Easter egg-cracking game, challenging Archbishop Derderian in the contest.

The faithful departed the Cathedral with uplifted spirits, taking the spiritual joy of the Feast of the Resurrection to share with their loved ones.

Primate's Easter Message