Prayer of Thanks and Blessing of Pomegranates Services at churches of Armenian Diocese in Georgia

On December 31, 2025, the final liturgical service of the outgoing year was held in the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. According to the newly approved order of blessing established by the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the passing year concludes and the New Year begins with the Blessing of Pomegranates Service.

At the St. George Cathedral in Tbilisi and Saint Etchmiadzin Church in Avlabari, the Prayer of Thanks was offered, and the Divine Liturgy was celebrated with the participation of all members of the clergy and in the presence of the faithful.

At the conclusion of the spiritual service, Rev. Father Husik Harutyunyan and Rev. Father Samvel Torosyan preached appropriately about the meaning of the Blessing of Pomegranates Service, explaining that in Armenian tradition, the pomegranate, as a national symbol, embodies the meanings of life and abundance.

Reverand fathers also explained that in Christian symbolism the pomegranate represents the blood shed by Jesus Christ, adding that, like the many seeds of a pomegranate, the members of the Church are numerous and diverse, yet enclosed, like the fruit’s firm rind, united within one Church.

The faithful returned to their homes with blessed pomegranates and in a festive New Year spirit.

With a Prayer of Thanks and Blessing of Pomegranates Services, the old year came to a close in all functioning churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.