On May 28, 2016, on the occasion of the feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Deliverance from the Pit, at the initiative of the clergy of the Saint Gevorg Cathedral in Tbilisi, the pilgrimage of Armenian faithful of Tbilisi was organized to the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church in Akhaltsikhe.

The pilgrims, led by Rev. Father Ghevond Topashyan, Sacristan of St. George Cathedral in Tbilisi, and Dn. Gevorg Antonyan, attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church. The celebrant was Rev. Fr. Hakob Sahakyan.

During the Divine Liturgy Rev. Father Ghevond Topashyan properly read a sermon on the sacrament of the day, Saint Gregory the Illuminator’s dedication to the Christian faith and deliverance from the pit after more than 13 years’ imprisonment to spread the light of Christ in Armenia. Father Ghevond called upon the people present, following the example of the first Catholicos of All Armenians, to stay strong in their faith and to rely upon the support of our Saints.

The pilgrims lit candles and prayed from the heart in the Surb Nshan Church in Akhaltsikhe.

The group of Armenian faithful of Tbilisi visited Vardzia, a cave monastery site.

The pilgrims returned to Tbilisi late at night.