In 2015, the 180th birth anniversary of the great Armenian writer Raffi (Hakob Melik Hakobian) was celebrated. Different events were organized in memory of the great writer and public figure throughout the year in Armenia. Georgia and Tbilisi in particular, where he worked and passed away to his eternal rest, didn’t stay aside.

On December 20, 2015, at the initiative of the NGO Armenian Community of Georgia, in the Surb Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi, after the Sunday Divine Liturgy, Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, Pastor of Kvemo Kartli region at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia presided over a service for the repose of the soul of the writer Raffi with the participation of the clergy. The Chairman of the NGO Armenian Community of Georgia, Samvel Mkrtchyan, Press office director Sandro Ohanyan, the Director of the Hayartun Center, Levon Chidilyan, the Director of the Press and Media Department of the Diocese, Susanna Khachatryan, the Head of Legal Affairs and Cooperation Department, Michael Avakian, community activists and many faithful were in attendance of the ceremony.

Very Rev. Father Khoren delivered a commemorative speech. He spoke about the outstanding novelist, mentioned his work, great patriotism and national ideas.

Raffi was buried in the Tbilisi Pantheon of the Armenian Writers and Public Figures “Khojivank”. Following the church services, the members of the NGO Armenian Community of Georgia, the Hayartun Center’s staff, the Armenian community representatives in Tbilisi, headed by Very Rev. Father Khoren, visited the Pantheon “Khojivank”. Father Khoren presided over a commemorative service near Raffi’s gravestone, incense was burned and flowers were laid on the tomb of the novelist.

The Prelate and the Chairman of the NGO Armenian Community of Georgia addressed the people present and delivered commemorative speeches.

A literary montage dedicated to the 180th birth anniversary of Raffi, organized by Larisa Khachatryan, was performed by the young members of the aforementioned NGO. The youth touched upon the history of the “Khojivank”, as well as mentioned prominent figures buried in the pantheon.