Divine Liturgy on the occasion of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia

On January 6, 2020, Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The first major feast was celebrated with Divine Liturgy at the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

The Feast of the Armenian Church was honored with the presence of Zaza Vashakmadze, Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues; Izabela Osipova and Koba Chopliani, representatives of the Public Defender's Office; Davit Tchitchinadze and Ruslan Poghosyan, former Members of Parliament; Van Bayburdyan editor of ''Vrastan'' (''Georgia'') newsletter; staff members of the State Agency for Religious Issues, public figures, and faithful who had come to the Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi.

His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, President of Georgia Salome Zourabishvili, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia Archil Talakvadze, as well as leaders of sister churches and religious organizations, numerous high-ranking officials and public figures had congratulated Armenian faithful of Georgia on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev. Father Virap Ghazaryan celebrated a festive Divine Liturgy under the presidency of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan. The celebrant greeted the attendees with good news of Holy Nativity.

During the Divine Liturgy, the Diocesan Vicar read the message of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians on the occasion of the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The good news of Jesus Child's birth and Holy Nativity spread in the church.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Rev. Father touched upon the relations of the two nations which share the same religion, friendship between Armenian and Georgian churches and taking into account that tonight the Georgian Orthodox Church will held Christmas celebration, on behalf of Armenian faithful and clergy congratulated the Georgian church's faithful and clergy on the occasion of this great Christian Feast.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan offered Blessing of Waters Service. In accordance with the tradition of the Armenian Holy Church, Yuri Yeremyan and Grigor Nalbandyan became the Godfathers of Cross of the Cathedral of Saint George and Saint Etchmiadzin churches.

On the occasion of the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated and Blessings of Waters Service was offered in Saint Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi, Saint Savior (Surb Prkich) Church in Batumi, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church in Akhaltsikhe, Holy Cross (Surb Khach) Church in Akhalkalaki, Saint Sarkis Church in Ninotsminda and nearby villages, as well as in temples of villages in Kvemo-Kartli, Rustavi, and Marneuli regions.

After the Divine Liturgy, hospitality took place everywhere.