Christ is born and revealed. Blessed is the revelation of Christ.

[Tavakalian Edgar]

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web: http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/


**Western Diocese Celebrates Christmas**

/*Christ is born and revealed. Blessed is Revelation of Christ.*/

On January 5, 2008, on the occasion of the Eve of Nativity and
Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Primate visited St. John
Armenian Church of Hollywood to celebrate Divine Liturgy and offer
the sermon. A reception was held at the Taglyan Cultural Center,
following the church service.

On January 6, 2008, on the feast day of Nativity and Theophany of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Primate celebrated Divine Liturgy, offered the
sermon and presided over the Blessing of Water Ceremony at the
Diocesan Headquarters. Despite the heavy rain, over 800 enthusiastic
faithful-members of the Western Diocese filled the Kalaydjian Hall of
the Diocesan Headquarters to celebrate the Birth of Christ. In his
remarks the Primate exclaimed, “Christ is Born and Revealed.
Blessed is Revelation of Christ. Today we celebrate the birth of
Christ our Lord in our spirituality. The celebration becomes true
when we are able to renew our calling and vocation in the service of
the Church, the Community, and the youth. The celebration of Christ
our Lord becomes true when we instill within our hearts hope, dreams,
and vision in our God-given lives. The celebration of Christ our Lord
helps us to better understand that the New Year is in a way, a tool
granted to us by God, that we may live it for the fulfillment of God
pleasing missions. ”

This Christmas Divine Liturgy marked the first occasion when the
renowned Khatchadourian Choir served as the official Choir of the
Mother Cathedral. During future Feast Day celebrations the
Khatchdourian Choir will lend their powerful and inspiring voice to
Divine Liturgies celebrated at the Diocesan Headquarters. The Primate
acknowledged the conductorship of Dn. Stepan Gozumian, and the
dedication of the choir members for the benefit of the Diocesan
faithful.

In the evening, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of
the Western Diocese, presided over the Diocesan Christmas Reception
held at the Kalaydjian Hall, located at the Western Diocesan
Headquarters, which started at 6:00 p.m. Admission was free to the
general public. The clergy of the Diocese, over 20 in number, led by
the Primate and Abp. Vatche Hovsepian, processed into the Hall, where
several hundred faithful were gathered. The Primate conducted the
traditional Home Blessing Ceremony, following which he addressed the
crowed with words of salutation and celebration. In his remarks, His
Eminence humbly reflected on the success the Diocese has had in the
construction of the Mother Cathedral, securing over 10 million
dollars in funds for the project, as well as the Diocese’s
contributions to humanitarian causes of over 1 million dollars. The
Primate also acknowledged the presence of the Honorable Armen
Liloyan, Consul General for the Republic of Armenia, who he invited
to address the audience. In his remarks the Consul General
congratulated the Primate and Diocese for the spiritual achievements
of the past year, and offered his wishes for continuing success in
the upcoming year.

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