Feast of Palm Sunday in Tbilisi

On April 13, 2025, the Christian world celebrated the Feast of Palm Sunday, the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem. On the eve of Palm Sunday, a pre-feast ceremony was held, and the curtains of the Holy Altar were opened. On the occasion of the feast, Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the active churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

From morning, the courtyard of the Cathedral of Saint George and Saint Etchmiadzin church, and all areas around them, were crowded. The faithful came in a joyful mood to take part in the joyful celebration of the Lord Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

At the Cathedral of St. George in Tbilisi, under the presidency of His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Father Virap Ghazaryan. At St. Etchmiadzin Church in Avlabari, the celebrant was Rev. Father Hovsep Harutyunyan.

During the Divine Liturgy, the celebrant priests preached on the mystery of Palm Sunday and the spiritual message of the feast. The people had welcomed Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with great enthusiasm—laying down branches of olive and palm trees, as well as their garments, along His path and shouting, “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

The Feast of Palm Sunday was proclaimed as Children’s Blessing Day by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, under the presidency of His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan and with the participation of the clergy, the Blessing of Children service was offered. Following the ceremony, the Primate delivered a sermon appropriate to the occasion. His Grace urged the faithful to continue living with devotion to their faith and in Christ, reminding them that our Savior dwells in our hearts everywhere—with His love and strength.

During the Evening Service, the Opening of the Door Service (Drnbatsek) was offered in churches. The priests preached on the mystery of the day. Comforted by the Holy Spirit, the faithful prepared to enter Holy Week.