From September 7 to 9, 2016, with blessings from His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, at the initiative of the Department of Youth Affairs of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and with the support of the Diocesan Headquarters, Georgian-Armenian Young leaders’ training course was organized. Young people from the capital, as well as different Armenian localities of Kvemo Kartli and Ajara took part in the project. The project was carried out in a Catholic Church complex, in Tserovani suburban town.

At the beginning of the course Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, assistant to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; offered his blessing and welcoming remarks. Father Khoren transmitted to the participants the blessings and paternal love from the Diocesan Primate, wishing the participant successful and productive session.

During the project the participants listened to lectures on the following subjects: The Sacrament of Holy Communion and the Importance of Prayer (Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan); The Role of the Church in the life of Armenian Youth (Rev. Father Husik Harutyunyan); Armenian historical-cultural monuments in Tbilisi (Head of the Cultural Department in the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Levon Chidilyan); Civil Society Development and NGO’s (Michael Avagyan, Head of Legal Affairs and Cooperation Department); Euro-Atlantic Integration of Georgia (Founder of The Peace Foundation, Giorgi Tumasyan).

Every day the participants attended an evening service, after which the youth involved in the project took part in different games and competitions, aimed at bringing the participants closer to each other and development of friendship and cooperation among them.

At the end of the project, Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan conveyed his appreciation and blessing. Father Khoren highly estimated the efforts of the Head of the Youth Department, Valeri Badalyan; the Coordinator of the Youth Activities of the Diocese, Nina Seropova; and other organizers for carrying out the three day trainings of the young people on a high level, in an interesting and meaningful way. The participants received from Father Khoren crosses and certificates.

Young leader’s training courses for the Armenian community in Georgia finished with a visit to Tbilisi Khojivank Pantheon of Armenian writers and public figures, as well as with visit to the Cathedral of St. George in Tbilisi.