Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ was celebrated at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia

On January 6, 2020, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the Feats of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The first major feast was celebrated with a Divine Liturgy in all churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. From the early morning, the faithful and their families, with joyful and festive mood, were rushing to the Armenian Church to take part in the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the feast.

The feast of the Armenian Church was honored with the presence of Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia Archil Talakvadze; First Vice Speaker Giorgi Volski; Member of Parliament Ruslan Poghosyan, David Tchitchinadze, Sergo Ratiani, Khatia Dekanoidze; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Georgia Ruben Sadoyan; State Minister for the Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili; Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues Zaza Vashakhmadze, representative of the Public Defender's Office Izabela Osipova; member of United National Movement party Zaal Udumashvili; member of European Georgia party Gigi Ugulava; heads of community organizations; public representatives; many faithful who attended the Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi. His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Illia II and Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia had congratulated Armenian faithful of Georgia on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the occasion of the feast, a festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi. The celebrant was Vicar of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan. During the Divine Liturgy, 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 people 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 faithful and clergy on the occasion of this great Christian feast. Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia Archil Talakvadze congratulated Armenian faithful and invited them to participate in Holy Nativity celebration of Georgian Church.

On the occasion of the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Divine Liturgy was celebrated and Blessing of Waters Service was offered in St. Etchmiadzin church in Tbilisi, St. Gregory the Illuminator church in Akhaltsikhe, Holy cross church in Akhalkalaki, St. Sarkis church in Ninotsminda and in churches of nearby villages, Kvemo-Kartli, Rustavi, Marneuli regions' villages as well.

Tornike Rizhvadze, Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and Lasha Komakhidze, Mayor of Batumi and other persons visited the Batumi St. Savior church and congratulated Armenian faithful on the occasion of the feast.

At the conclusion o the Divine Liturgy, Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan presided over the Blessing of Waters Service and Yuri Yeremyan became the Godfather of the Church's Cross. Waters were blessed with Holy Muron (Chrism) everywhere and Khachik Papakhchyan became the Godfather of St. Etchmiadzin church in Tbilisi, and Minas Saprichyan became the Godfather of St. Savior church in Batumi.

After the Divine Liturgy, hospitality took place everywhere.

The celebration of the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia was widely covered by Georgian mass media.