Blessing of Pomegranates Service at churches of Armenian Diocese in Georgia

Under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, on New Year's Day in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and in all Armenian churches, Blessing of Pomegranates Service was offered after the Prayer of Thanks. The old year ends and the new one begins with the Service of Blessing of Pomegranates.

On December 31, 2022, at the Cathedral of Saint George, Divine Liturgy and Prayer of Thanks Service took place under the leadership of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan and with the participation of clergy and faithful.

At the conclusion of the spiritual service, Rev Father addressed the faithful and conveyed the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. He spoke about the mystery of the pomegranate blessing, explaining that in Armenian tradition, the pomegranate is a national symbol, which has the meaning of life, prosperity, and abundance. Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan also presented the pomegranate as the symbol of the shed blood of Jesus Christ in Christianity, adding that like pomegranate seeds, the members of the Church are numerous and diverse, but they are covered by a hard shell like a pomegranate, united in one Church.

During the last ceremony of the year, Rev. Father addressed words of blessing and appreciation to all the servants who brought their spiritual service to the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, to all priests and tbirs (clerk), cross godfathers of churches, benefactors, staff members, members of volunteer organizations and all the faithful who keep the Armenian Church and the Armenian Diocese in Georgia standing.

Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan blessed the pomegranates decorating the Altar and congratulated the attendees on the occasion of the New 2023 Year, wishing the whole world, particularly Georgia, Motherland and Artsakh, which is experiencing hardships, peace and health.

The old year was concluded in the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia with a Prayer of Thanks and Service of Blessing of Pomegranates.