The Feast of Vartan the Captain celebrated at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia

On February 11, 2021, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the Feast of St. Vartan the Captain and his 1036 Companions.

A Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Father Virap Ghazaryan under the presidency of Vicar of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan at the Cathedral of Saint George (Surb Gevorg). The celebrant and clergy offered a prayer at the altar consecrated in the name of Saint Vartan Mamikonyan and His Companions in the Cathedral of Saint George.

The celebrant properly preached about the heroic commanders and their companions who had fought nationwide for the sake of faith and Homeland. Rev. Father Virap encouraged the faithful to remain loyal to the memory of immortal heroes, to be inspired by their patriotism and devotion to the faith and to be ready for sacrifice for the protection of the Homeland and loyalty to the faith. In his sermon he mentioned about the Battle of Avarayr, heroes of Artsakh war which lasted 44 days, those heroes who deceased in sake of defense of the Homeland and became immortal leading to a moral victory.

During the Divine Liturgy, a Response of Souls Service was offered with the participation of clergy.

The Feast day of St. Vartan the Captain and Companions is also celebrated as the Naming Day of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. On that occasion, at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a Pontifical Prayer was offered. A join prayer service was offered for the steadfastness and glory of the Catholicosate of All Armenians wishing Supreme Patriarch long life and productive spiritual service.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy the Diocesan Vicar Rev. Father Archimandrite Kirakos Davtyan offered his blessings to the attendees. Touching upon the mystery of the Feast of St. Vartan the Captain and His Companions: ''Death, not comprehended, is mortal, death perceived is immortality'' (Yeghishe, 5th centaury), Rev. Father wished those present to live with the heroic spirit of Vartan Mamikonyan and his brave soldiers, to build their future with patriotism and intercession of the Saints, to be united and with that unity to do even the seemingly impossible, for the sake of the Homeland, for the sake of faith, for the sake of the nation. Rev. Father congratulated all the men whose name is Vartan on the occasion of their Naming Day and wished them to be descendants of Vartan Mamikonyan and His Companions, to be brave sons of our nation like them.

On the occasion of the Feast of St. Vartan the Captain and His Companions Divine Liturgies were celebrated at the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.