On October 23, 2016, on the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross, celebrated by the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, presided over the service of re-consecration of the Surb Sion(Saint Zion) Church of the village of Vachiani in Akhalkalaki region. The church in the village of Vachiani is the 56th functioning church of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

The Surb Sion Church was built in 1830s, when Armenians from the village of Tvanj in Karin region had settled in Javakheti. At the end of the 19th century the church was in its new and perfect state, but in 1914 the roof of the church collapsed, and during the period of the Soviet Union the church was completely destroyed.

Since 1990s local residents has initiated the reconstruction of the church. A bell tower has been built, the basilica has been turned into a domed church, nearby territory has been renovated. Mainly owing to the donations of locals, residing in Russia, the church has been reconstructed.

On the occasion of the service of re-consecration, the delegation, led by the Diocesan Primate, arrived to Vachiani. 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 Surb Sion Church. Before offering the service, the Primate gave opening remarks, extending his paternal love to the benefactors, craftsmen and everyone involved in the building of the church. In his remarks, the Bishop highlighted the important role of the Armenian Church for Armenians living outside Armenia. The Diocesan Primate presented brief overview of the service of re-consecration. After that the Primate blessed with the holy Chrism the 16 pillars, the altar, the credence table, the baptistery and the icons. 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. Following the service of re-consecration, the Bishop presented the Surb Sion church with an icon, which was brought from Tbilisi. The Pastor of Armenians in Akhalkalaki and nearby villages, Rev. Father Tatev Marukyan celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in the newly-renovated church. Following the liturgy, Khachkar commemorating the Armenian Genocide martyrs, located in the church courtyard, was consecrated. The blessing of Matagh (Thanksgiving Animal Sacrifice) took place, and a concert was organized by the local cultural center.

In attendance were the Georgian MPs, Samvel Petrosyan, Henzel Mkoyan; MP of a new convocation, Samvel Manukyan; Members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, Vardan Ayvazyan and Tachat Vardapetyan, both born in Javakheti; Sos Sahakyan, the President of the Board of Trustees of the ARS Javakhk Fund; representatives of the local authorities; the diocesan officials, guests from Russia, Armenia and different regions of Georgia.

The residents of the village of Vachiani realized decades-long dream to renovate the church in the native village.