RA Ministry of Diaspora, similar to previous years, again provided assistance to the Armenian communities of Georgia, including the Alexander Mantashev Educational Cultural and Youth Center in Batumi. The Ministry has purchased audiovisual equipment for the Center, like loudspeakers, computer, printer and other equipment.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan handed the donated equipment to the recipient. On this occasion, the Primate, from December 2 to 4, 2016, visited Batumi. The Primate met with the teaching staff headed by Director Sona Hovhannisyan, witnessed work done, highly praised the work undertaken by the staff and on behalf of the Diocesan Headquarters presented the teachers with gifts.

Within the framework of the visit, the Primate met with parish council members. The bishop offered his blessings to Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan, Pastor of the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior) in Batumi and of Armenian community in Adjara, Guria and Imereti; for the work undertaken and urged to continue the joint efforts of the community and the center for the consolidation of the Armenians around the Church and the growth of the number of believers.

Bishop Vazgen also attended church services. On December 3, the Diocesan Primate participated in morning services commemorating the Apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew and read a sermon on the sacrament of the day.

On December 4, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, presided over the Divine Liturgy in the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior).

During the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Vazgen offered his paternal blessing and made a speech, expressing joy for seeing many people present in the church thanks to the joint efforts of the center’s teachers and parish council members.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Diocesan Primate, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to RA Ministry of Diaspora under Minister Hranush Hakobyan, who always keeps her focus on the cultural and educational issues concerning the Armenian youth of Georgia. The Bishop extended his appreciation to the Pastor of the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior) in Batumi, parish council members, the Alexander Mantashev Center’s staff, for their dedicated activities.

During his visit to Batumi the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia was accompanied by the Director of the Administrative Department of the Diocese, Karen Yeritsyan; and Dn. Gevorg Antonyan, assistant to the Pastor of the Cathedral of Saint George.

The Alexander Mantashev Educational Cultural Youth Center was acquired with the support of the RA Government (RA Ministry of Diaspora) and remodeled thanks to the funds allocated by the Jinishian Memorial Foundation. The Headquarters of the Armenian Diocese in Georgian and the Surb Prkich Church parish raised funds to provide furnishings and finalize other aspects of interior design.