On May 28, 2016, on the occasion of the feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Deliverance from the Pit, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, with more than 50 Armenian pilgrims from Tbilisi, made a pilgrimage to the Surb Astvatsatsin Church (Holy Mother of God) in the village of Shahumyan in the region of Kvemo Kartli.

Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, assistant to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the crowded with Armenian pilgrims from Tbilisi and the local faithful Surb Astvatsatsin Church (Holy Mother of God). Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan presided over the service.

During the Divine Liturgy, the celebrant, Very Rev. Fr. Khoren in his message noted in particular that today is a triple holiday for the Shahumyan village residents. Firstly, it is the feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Deliverance from the Pit, secondly, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia offered his blessings and love to the local residents, and thirdly, the faithful from Tbilisi made a pilgrimage to the Surb Astvatsatsin Church (Holy Mother of God) in the village of Shahumyan.

Very Rev.Fr. Khoren Hovhannisyan offered a homily about the message of day - the feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Deliverance from the Pit, he encouraged everyone, following the example of the first Catholicos of All Armenians, to remain faithful to the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ and never yield to difficulties.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan conveyed his blessings to the attendees and congratulated everyone on the occasion of the feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Deliverance from the Pit and on the Day of the Proclamation of the First Republic of Armenia. The Bishop expressed joy for the presence of the faithful from the village of Shahumyan at the Holy Mass in the Holy Mother of God Church, and called upon to remain faithful to the Holy Church, to transmit Christian faith to a younger generation, to educate them to love the motherland and one’s own nation greatly. The Diocesan Primate highly appreciated the participation of the Surb Etchmiadzin Church choir from Tbilisi in the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Surb Astvatsatsin Church of the village of Shahumyan, which added more splendor to the Holy Mass, asking Saint Gregory the Illuminator for his intercession and support.