Young Armenians who speak other languages paid tribute to the memory of famous Armenians of Georgia of XIX-XX centuries

On February 11, 2024, the Eve of Great Lent or Great Barekendan was celebrated according to the calendar of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. The festive day was celebrated with Divine Liturgy at the operating churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. Rev. Father Virap Gazaryan celebrated Divine Liturgy under the presidency of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan at the Cathedral of Saint George. The celebrant at Saint Etchmiadzin church in Avlabari was Rev. Father Hovsep Harutyunyan.

The Harissa Festival was dedicated to this holiday and has been organized continuously since 2012 by the “Shushanik” Union of Armenian Women in Georgia with the support of the headquarters of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, as well as "Hayartun" and "House of Hovhannes Tumanyan" centers. The group of faithful women of the Cathedral of Saint George, the members of "Shushanik" Union of Armenian Women in Georgia, and the representatives of the Armenian Community in Georgia organization took part in this beautiful celebration in the Armenian community of Tbilisi.

The event was honored with the presence of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan, diplomats of the RA Embassy in Georgia, heads of various organizations, foreign guests, and numerous people were in attendance.

At the Diocesan "Hayartun" Center, the aroma of creamy and delicious harissa was spreading from about three dozen pots arranged on the tables, in harmony with various pickles and other dishes.

Susanna Khachatryan, the chairwoman of the “Shushanik” Union of Armenian Women in Georgia opened the event. She highlighted the aim of the event which is to preserve and pass on this national dish, folk traditions and customs to generations with the traditional Harissa Festival celebrated on the eve of Great Lent. She addressed special thanks to the headquarters of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Samvel Poghosyan and Vachagan Hakobyan, who are Godfathers of Cross of the Cathedral of Saint George and Saint Etchmiadzin church in Avlabari, as well as the director of the "Armenia" store in Tbilisi Eduard Muradyan, and numerous faithful, whose support ensured the implementation of the Harissa Festival.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan congratulated all the attendees on the occasion of the Eve of Great Lent (Great Barekendan) and wished them to go through the Great Lent period with strong will and unshakable faith and celebrate the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The tables were blessed and the reception with harissa began, accompanied by joyful singing and music, dances with the participation of the attendees, and an Armenian round dance. The joyous mood of the Great Barekendan and the Harissa Festival prevailed for a long time. Blessed harissa was also conveyed to the sick and elderly.