On October 22, 2016, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, presided over the service of re-consecration of the Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church of the village of Sulda in Akhalkalaki region. The church in the village of Sulda is the 55th functioning church of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

The basilica structure of the church was built in 1829-30s, by Armenians who settled in Javakheti, moving from Karin region and the village of Tordan in Upper Basen. During the construction of the church old hewn stone was used, which had been taken from the territory of old ruined building located between the villages of Hokam and Kash. During the period of the Soviet Union the church was in very bad condition and gradually collapsed.

In 2011, the pious residents of the village of Sulda, with donations of residing in Russia Hrazdan Arakelyan, who was born in Sulda, initiated the reconstruction of the church. Work was conducted to strengthen the foundation; the church was rebuilt with old hewn stone and nearby territory has been renovated. Director of Akhalkalaki Regional Hospital, Alexander Torosyan monitored the restoration process. The renovation of the church has been completed and the local residents realized decades-long dream.

On this solemn occasion, the delegation of the Diocesan Primate arrived to Sulda. On the road to the village young local residents dressed in national costumes welcomed the delegation members with traditional bread and salt. After that everyone headed to the Holy Cross Church. The Diocesan Primate blessed with the holy Chrism the 16 pillars, the altar, the credence table, the baptistery and the icons. Later, the local Pastor, Rev. Father Tigran Mkhitaryan celebrated the first liturgy. Following church services, on behalf of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, the Bishop congratulated the local residents and presented the church with a gift – the Icon of the Mother of God, which was brought from Tbilisi. He praised the benefactor Hrazdan Arakelyan for his work, granting him a Letter of Blessing and Appreciation, and gifted him with a souvenir. The Primate extended his blessings to Alexander Torosyan and all the participants of the pious cause.

Very Rev. Fr. Babken Salbiyan, the Prelate of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka's General Prelacy of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, assistant to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; and the clergy participated in services. In attendance was Metropolitan Nikoloz of Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo Diocese, who delivered a welcome speech and congratulated the people present on this special occasion. On this solemn occasion, the Georgian MPs, Ruslan Poghosyan, Samvel Petrosyan, Enzel Mkoyan; MP of a new convocation, Samvel Manukyan; MP Candidate, David Chichinade; representatives of the local authorities; Sos Sahakyan, the President of the Board of Trustees of the ARS Javakhk Fund; guests from Armenia and different regions of Georgia arrived to Sulda.

Following the services, Matagh (Thanksgiving Animal Sacrifice) was distributed to the faithful. Akhalkalaki regional cultural department organized a concert in the church courtyard. The day in Sulda was truly festive and memorable.