Feast of St. Gevork the Warrior celebrated at the Cathedral of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia

The Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrates the Feast of St. Gevork on the last Saturday of September. On September 25, 2020, the Feast of St. Gevork the Warrior was properly celebrated at the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. That day special liveliness prevailed in the yard and inside of the Cathedral of Saint George, the church which was built in the 13th century in Tbilisi. The faithful have come to pray and to receive the blessings of brave St. Gevork, as well as to participate in church ceremonies offered on the occasion of the feast.

Festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Father Virap Ghazaryan, under the presidency of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan.

During the Divine Liturgy, the celebrant preached about the mystery of the day, the brave warrior's devotion to the Christian faith and his martyrdom, appreciated the great love and devotion of the faithful to St. Gevork whose name was given to numerous churches during the centuries. 

Rev. Father compared St. Gevork's unshakable Christian faith with the faith of the Armenian people who experienced many difficulties and hardships during centuries, survived and remained devoted to their faith.

Rev. Father honored the memory of the deceased of the 44-day war in 2020, who heroically martyred, but remained steadfast in their faith, loyal to their nation and people.

During the Divine Liturgy, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan, touching upon the mystery of the day, highlighted the unity of the Armenian faithful, which should be expressed through loyalty to the faith, unity around the church, maintenance and development of spiritual values. The Diocesan Primate congratulated on the occasion of the feast those whose name is Gevork and encouraged them to live with pride of being Christ's faithful sons.

Divine Liturgy dedicated to the Feast of St. Gevork was attended by diplomats of the RA embassy in Georgia Levon Zargaryan, Avetik Harutyunyan, Anna Sahakyan, as well as by Acting Gamgebeli (governor) of Isani district, majoritarian MP candidate Kakha Labuchidze.

The Feast which is loved by people was saturated with folk celebration.

The Diocesan Primate blessed the Matagh (Thanksgiving Animal Sacrifice) made by the faithful on the occasion of the feast and offered it to the attendees. On the initiative of the church loving women and with the support from Godfather of cross Yuri Yeremyan, reception took place with cakes, and sweeties. 

Feast of St. Gevork the Warrior properly celebrated in the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, church ceremonies and folk celebrations took place especially in the temples named after St. George.      

It should be added that the Cathedral of Saint George is one of the ancient churches in Tbilisi, it was built in the 13th century and was an educational, spiritual and cultural center in medieval Armenia. With the support from the IDeA (Initiatives for Development of Armenia) foundation and other benefactors, the church was renovated and now it is the Cathedral of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and continues to unite around it the Armenians of Georgia.