The celebration of the Armenian Army Day in Tbilisi, on the initiative of Armenia's military attaché to Georgia, colonel Samvel Ramazyan, started with a visit to the burials of Armenian generals at the courtyard of the Cathedral of Saint George of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

On January 27, 2016, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of RA to Georgia, Mr. Yuri Vardanyan, diplomats from the embassy in the company of the clergy and the officials of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, with the participation of the Armenian community representatives in Tbilisi, lit candles and prayed in the Cathedral of Saint George in memory of the Armenian soldiers, who died at all times in different countries.

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 souls of Mikhail Loris-Melikov, Ivan Lazarev, Boris Shelkovnikov, Arzas Ter-Ghukasov with the participation of the clergy; incense was burned and flowers were laid on the tombs of eminent sons of the Armenian people.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of RA to Georgia, Mr. Yuri Vardanyan, gave a day’s message; he wished success to the Armenian Army, strong will and good service to the soldiers, and that the hero-sons would return to their parents unharmed.

Armenia's military attaché to Georgia, colonel Samvel Ramazyan, and Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan gave speeches. They reflected upon victorious Armenian army and emphasized the value of Armenian soldiers’ service, as they are faithful guards of the Armenian borders and maintain peace in the country. It was emphasized that, in the absence of Armenian statehood, former eminent Armenian military men in Tbilisi not only served in the Imperial Russian Army, but participated in the liberation of primordial Armenian land and supported Armenians during the Russo-Turkish Wars. Those eminent military men became part of the officer corps of the armed forces of the First Republic of Armenia and won the battles of historical significance in the future.

On the evening of that same day, at the restaurant “Sami Saukune” the Ambassador of RA to Georgia and the military attaché organized the official reception on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the Armenian Armed Forces.

The First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia Davit Ebralidze, the Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia Anna Dolidze, the Chief of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze, heads of departments and services at the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces, representatives of Diplomatic and Military Diplomatic Corps accredited in Georgia, namely military attachés of the USA, the UK, France, Germany, China, Kazakhstan, Greece, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Georgian military experts and media reporters, representatives of Community NGO’s, the clergy and other guests were in attendance of the event.

In the hall, decorated with Armenian and Georgian flags, Saint Nerses Shnorhali Children’s Choir (Choirmaster – Maria Abulyan and Pianist – Karen Mirzoyan) at the Hayartun Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia performed the national anthems of Georgia and the Republic of Armenia.

Armenia's military attaché to Georgia, colonel Samvel Ramazyan, congratulated the people present on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the Armenian Armed Forces. In his welcoming speech, he offered a brief history of the formation of the Armenian Armed Forces and some episodes from centuries-old partnership that binds Armenians and Georgians together. The speaker underlined the centuries-old friendship between the Armenians and Georgians, he highlighted fragments of history on how two nations through joint efforts had confronted common enemy and supported each other. As a result of this assistance two ancient Christian nations have preserved their identity and restored political independence.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze, in his remarks, spoke about development of bilateral relations and military cooperation, warmly congratulated the Armenian Armed Forces on the occasion the 24th anniversary. “The number one guarantee for the country’s statehood, security and the longevity of the nation is our army.” The Chief of the General Staff wished peace, blue sky and good service to the combat friends.

After the performance of the marching song of the First Republic of Armenia “Onward, martyr!” a special cake-cutting ceremony led by honorable guests took place. It was followed by an official banquet accompanied by Armenian folk and military songs.

The celebration of the Armenian Army Day has marked a beautiful page in ties between the two nations.