Good News of the Holy Nativity of Jesus Christ spread at churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and Blessing of Water Service was offered

On January 6, 2024, the 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.

From early morning, in a joyful spirit, the faithful and their families hurried to the Armenian Church to attend the festive Christmas Liturgy.

The festive mood prevailed in the Cathedral of Saint George and Saint Etchmiadzin church in Tbilisi crowded with faithful. His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Saint George.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Georgia Ashot Smbatyan; First Deputy State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Lia Gigauri; Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues Zaza Vashakmadze; Head of the Strategic Research, Analysis and Regional Service of the Agency Nino Chavchavadze; Head of the Legal Maintenance Office Davit Davitashvili; Editor of “Vrastan” (“Georgia”) newsletter Van Bayburtyan, lawyer and jurist Karen Yeghiazaryan, representative of the Public Defender’s Office  Izabella Osipova; Head of Community Initiatives Development Foundation Mari Mikoyan, as well as officials from RA Embassy, public figures, heads of community organizations, numerous faithful, came to congratulate the Armenian faithful on the occasion of the Holy Feast.

During the Divine Liturgy, the Diocesan Primate 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.

The Diocesan Primate congratulated the attendees on New Year and Christmas and thanked the representatives of the Georgian state and government for their presence. His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan highly appreciated the millennial brotherly relations between the two people of the same religion and culture and the friendship between the Armenian and Georgian churches. The celebrant congratulated the Georgian Orthodox Church and high-ranking Georgian guests on the upcoming Christmas.

 Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues Zaza Vashakmadze addressed the participants with a congratulatory speech and conveyed the congratulations on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Government of Georgia.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Water Service was offered under the presidency of the Diocesan Primate.

His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, President of Georgia Salome Zourabishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili had congratulated the Armenian faithful of Georgia on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In 2024, faithful Christians Samvel Poghosyan and Vachagan Hakobyan became the Godfathers of the Cross of the Cathedral of Saint George and Saint Etchmiadzin in Avlabri church respectively.

The Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ was properly celebrated in 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 in the operating churches of various villages in other regions.

Those present returned to their homes in good spirits and with water blessed with holy Muron (Chrism).