Candlelight Divine Liturgy in churches of Armenian Diocese in Georgia

On January 5, 2025, on the eve of the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

On the eve of the Feast, Armenian churches were crowded. According to ritual tradition, the faithful gathered to hear the joyous tidings of Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Holy Nativity. Before the start of the Divine Liturgy, an Evening Service was held in the churches, during which various Bible passages related to the Feast were read.

Saint Etchmoadzin church in Avlabari, Tbilisi was crowded with faithful, where the Candlelight Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

During the Divine Liturgy, the Diocesan Primate, in his sermon, reflected on the mystery of the Holy Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He described it as a divine gift to humanity, bringing freedom from sin, healing for pain, renewed hope, and guidance along the path to the Kingdom of Heaven.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan lit the life-giving candle, which also symbolizes the light of the Star of Bethlehem and guides people to the true Light, and offered it to the faithful. They took the tidings of Christmas and the divine light home with them with the lights lit in the church.

After the Divine Liturgy, the clergy moved to the “Hayartun” residence of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, where Home-Blessing Service was offered.

Candlelight Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi, Saint Savior (Surb Prkich) church in Batumi, Saint Gregory the Illuminator (Grigor Lusavorich) church in Akhaltsikhe, Holy Cross (Surb Khach) church in Akhalkalaki, Saint Sarkis church in Ninotsminda, and other regional Armenian churches.