On July 26, 2016, the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall of the Hayartun Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia hosted a semi-annual summary meeting, providing an overview of works undertaken by the diocesan staff, departments, cultural, educational and youth centers.

His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, presided over the meeting. In attendance were the clergy and the departments’ staff.

The meeting began with the Lord’s Prayer and blessings from the Primate. The agenda consisted of the following issues:

1. Report on the activities of the diocese’s departments for the second quarter of 2016

2. Recommendations for the next six months

The Directors one by one briefed on the activities undertaken in the past three months by their departments. It was evident that the Legal Affairs and Cooperation Department had made progress in building relationships with government agencies and religious communities, in conducting research on Armenian historical and cultural heritage of Georgia, taking care of socially vulnerable people and initiating regular visits to the places of confinement.

The report of the Department of Education highlighted the activities of the “St Movses Khorenatsi” Preschool in Tbilisi, the St. Gregory the Illuminator Kindergarten in Batumi, the Khrimyan Hayrik Kindergarten in the village of Arakova in Akhalkalaki region, Sunday Schools in Tbilisi and Batumi.

The topic of media coverage was also discussed. The work of the Press and Media Department with the media of Georgia gives unsatisfactory results, because the media of Georgia is indifferent, shows lack of interest.

The Youth Department briefed on their activities regarding the preservation of Armenian historic and cultural heritage in Georgia, the issue of involving young generation in different projects of the Diocese and uniting the youth around the Armenian Church.

The report of the Cultural Department highlighted the works undertaken by the Hayartun Cultural Center in Tbilisi, the Alexander Mantashev Cultural Center in Batumi, and the visible progress made by the students of the Centers’ creative groups.

It was mentioned that the “Tumanyan Vernatun of Culture and Art” would conduct scientific and cultural activities; reference was made to ongoing construction work and the completion date.

In his closing remarks, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia blessed the participants, praised the works undertaken by the departments and gave future recommendations.

The meeting was closed with the “Guard Us” prayer recited by the Diocesan Primate and his assistant.