ARCHBISHOP HOVHANNES AKNETSI

1802-1810 (Years of Leadership)

In 1798, when the plague was spreading in Tbilisi, the Georgian King, George, requested Gukas I Karnetsi, Catholicos of All Armenians, to send “Holy Gegard” (Holy Lance/ Holy Spear, is legendarily known as the lance that pierced the side of Jesus as he hung on the cross during his crucifixion) to Tbilisi. The Georgian King, George, strongly believed that the “Holy Geghard” (Holy Lance) with its divine power could end the epidemic.  

On November 3, 1798, Gukas I Karnetsi, Catholicos of All Armenians, sent the “Holy Gegard” (Holy Lance) with Archbishop Hovhannes Aknetsi to Tbilisi. Therefore, Archbishop Hovhannes Aknetsi received the name Gegardakir (Carrier of Holy Lance) (Ormanyan “Azgapatum” (National History), article 2203).

Archbishop Hovhannes Aknetsi Geghardakir, died in the year 1810.