Good News of the Holy Nativity of Jesus Christ spread at churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia

On January 6, 2023, 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 in Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, in the Holy Cathedrals of Armenians worldwide, and in the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

From early morning, the faithful with their families hurried to the Armenian Church in a happy mood 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. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Saint George.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Georgia Ashot Smbatyan and his wife, Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues Zaza Vashakmadze, diplomats 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.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Diocesan Primate congratulated the attendees on New Year's and Christmas and expressed his appreciation to the officials. Rev. Father 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 Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan congratulated the Georgian Orthodox Church on New Year and the upcoming Christmas.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Blessings of Waters Service was offered under the presidency of the Diocesan Primate, and noble Armenians Armen Khachaturyan and Armen Petrosyan became the Godfathers of Cross of the Cathedral of Saint George and Saint Etchmiadzin in Avlabri church respectively.

His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, President of Georgia Salome Zourabishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Tea Akhvlediani, Mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze had congratulated Armenian faithful of Georgia on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ was properly celebrated in Saint Savior (Surb Prkich) Church in Batumi, Holy Cross (Surb Khach) Church in Akhalkalaki, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church in Akhaltsikhe, Saint Sarkis Church in Ninotsminda and Armenian churches in Aspindza, Tsalka, Tetritskaro, Borjomi, Marneuli. Those present returned to their homes in good spirits and with water blessed with holy Muron (Chrism).

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

Tomorrow, on January 7, a Requiem Service, Response of Souls Service will be offered in churches.