Feast of the Ascension celebrated in Tbilisi

On May 21st, 2020, Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. After the Resurrection, Jesus Christ stayed at the earth for 40 days and appeared to his disciples, afterwards He ascended. This is double feast for Armenian Church because it also commemorates the return of the Catholicosate of All Armenians from Sis to Vagharshabad in 1441.

The feast was celebrated with Divine Liturgies in churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and Armenian-populated regions. Divine Liturgy was celebrated under the presidency of Vicar of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan in Saint Etchmiadzin church in Avlabari. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, restrictions and state of emergency, many faithful were in attendance in Armenian churches.

During the Divine Liturgy, the celebrant Rev. Father Kirakos Simonyan preached about the mystery of the Ascension, told the faithful that Jesus Christ taught His disciples for 40 days, and during the last meeting He blessed and gave commandments to apostles, after which He ascended to His Father God.

The celebrant priest also spoke about another cherished mystery of the day touching upon the historical commemoration of the return of the Catholicosate of All Armenians from Sis to Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

After the sermon, under the presidency of Vicar of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Pontifical Blessing was offered, during which the clergy prayed to Almighty God for the steadfastness and eternity of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin as well as for good health, longevity and tireless pastorate of Catholicos of All Armenians.