Archbishop Derderian Proclaims Epostle “the Global Ministry of the Armenian Church” During Theophany Sermon

During the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian proclaimed Epostle “the global ministry of the Armenian Church,” affirming its role as a worldwide missionary voice for the faithful.

The declaration came during the Theophany sermon at St. Leon Cathedral, where the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church hosted a live event and livestream titled “Christ is born and revealed.” The celebration drew faithful in person and across the globe online to mark one of the most cherished days in the Armenian liturgical calendar.

The feast unites the commemoration of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem with His baptism in the Jordan River,  known in Armenian tradition as Astvadzahaydnootyoon, the “Revelation of God.” It recalls the manifestation of the divine in both the Incarnation and the appearance of the Holy Trinity at Christ’s baptism, when the Father’s voice proclaimed Him the beloved Son and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove.

The Divine Liturgy (Badarak), sermons, and the traditional Blessing of Water ceremony carried themes of spiritual renewal, light overcoming darkness, and God’s revelation to humanity. Throughout the day, the community exchanged the joyful greeting “Krisdos dznav yev haydnetsav!” ,  “Christ is born and revealed!” ,  answered with “Orhnyal eh haydnootyunun Krisdosee!” , “Blessed is the revelation of Christ!”

The Armenian Apostolic Church observes the Nativity on January 6 rather than December 25, preserving one of the oldest Christian traditions. In the early centuries of the faith, all churches celebrated Christ’s birth and baptism together on this single feast of Theophany. While the Western Church later shifted the Nativity to December 25, the Armenian Church,  outside Roman influence,  faithfully retained the ancient unified celebration, a testament to its enduring commitment to early Christian liturgical roots.

Archbishop Derderian’s proclamation positioned Epostle at the center of that living heritage, naming it a vehicle to carry the Armenian Church’s witness to a global audience.