On February 28, 2016, following the Sunday Divine Liturgy, in the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia the Repose of Souls service was offered in memory of victims of Sumgait massacres.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, presided during the Repose of Souls service in the Cathedral of St. George in Tbilisi, which was attended by the Counselor at the RA Embassy in Georgia, Karen Melikyan, poet and translator Givi Shakhnazari, the editor of the newspaper “Georgia” Van Bayburtyan, leaders of community-based organizations, public figures and the faithful.

In his commemorative speech, the Primate condemned the acts of violence by Azerbaijani extremists targeted at the Armenian population 28 years ago, calling it “a continuation of the Armenian Genocide”. The Diocesan Primate raised a prayer to God asking for peace in the Caucasus region, for love and friendship between people, urging the attendees to remain faithful to our history and culture, to protect the Fatherland and the Motherland. The spiritual leader highlighted the necessity of peaceful conflict resolution and maintaining friendly relations with neighbors.

A commemorative event was held in Batumi. After a requiem service and laying flowers at the Khachkar (cross-stone) installed in the yard of the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior) commemorating victims of the Armenian Genocide, the Alexander Mantashev Educational Cultural and Youth Center hosted the screening of a film on the Sumgait pogrom. Following the screening, “Mer Apagan” (Our Future) youth association and the center’s creative groups attended a seminar. The participants condemned all acts of violence, which target many innocent people, and called on the people present to uphold the honor of the nation and memory of innocent victims at all times and in all places.

The RA Consul General in Adjara, Mr. Aram Grigoryan delivered a speech about the message of the day. Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan made closing remarks.

On February 27, the Armenian Community of Georgia NGO organized an event in memory of victims of Sumgait pogroms. Comparing events through film screening and reports on incidents in Khojaly and Sumgait, a falsification of the facts, on the one hand, and reality, on the other hand, were presented to the audience.