The feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the first tabernacle feast of the Armenian Church calendar, was celebrated at St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral on January 6, 2017. The day’s celebrant was the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian who was assisted at the Holy Altar by the Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan, the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, the Cathedral’s Pastor and the deacons. The chants of the Divine Liturgy were peformed by the Khachadourian Choir. His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian and Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian also participated in the service.   

During the service, the Primate welcomed the hundreds of faithful in attendance including Diocesan benefactors as well as acknowledging the presence of His Excellency Valery Mkrtumyan, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Ara Abrahamyan, President of the Union of Armenians of Russia, Joseph Kanimian, Esq. Chairman of the Diocesan Council, His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian and the Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles who read a passage from the Gospel according to St. Luke.

Also taking part in the service were Diocesan benefactors and Godfathers Mr. Armen Hampar, Dr. and Mrs. Aramayis Paronyan, Mr. Ara Abrahamyan, Mr. John Tajirian, Mr. And Mrs. Nazareth Chakrian, Arsen Danielian, Esq., Mr. and Mrs. Onnig Garavaryan, Mr. Nazaret Kevonian, Mr. and Mrs. Saro Marukian, Mr. and Mrs. Raffi Erlin, Mr. Vartan Nazerian, Mrs. Tamara Nizamian, Dn. Sarkis Sethian and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hartoonian.

Armenian organizations were represented by Dr. Raffi Balian, Mr. Avedik Izmirlian, Mr. Gabriel Moloyan, Mr. Arshag Kazanjian, Edvin Minassian, Esq., and Dn. Mihran Toumajian. Representing Ararat Home were Mr. Mike Surmeian, Margarita Kechichian and Elizabeth Garabedian.  

The Godfather of the Cross was Mr. Ray Hartoonian, a Godfather of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. Archbishop Derderian extended his wholehearted gratitude to Mr. Hartoonian and his family for the genuine support rendered to the Diocese and the Armenian Church throughout the years.

In his homily, the Primate quoted St. Nersess the Graceful. “Today, as we celebrate the Nativity and Theophany of the Son of God, the sun of righteousness shines in the horizon. Christ the Babe is born. God, the Father has favored us with another opportunity to repent and reclaim the truthful meaning of life having Him as the ultimate standard and the guide., said His Archbishop Derderian. “The miraculous birth of Christ makes us shine again in the blistering cold and warm the hearts of those who surround us. The Sun of righteousness illuminates our lives, brightens our minds, alters our perspective, and clears our vision. Most importantly, the Sun of righteousness, the Son of God, through His miraculous birth liberates us from the captivity of fear so that we can express ourselves straightforwardly and earnestly without succumbing to hypocrisy, and fake values. God makes the sun of righteousness rise upon us so that we may see and follow the truth without giving way to sin, praising mediocracy, or promoting weakness,” continued His Eminence.

The traditional Blessing of the Water Service was performed by the Primate after which the blessed water was distributed to the faithful. 

Following the service, in a processional led by the Primate, the faithful gathered at the Hampar Family Room for a reception where they greeted and conveyed their heartfelt Christmas wishes to the Primate.