The Armenian Diocese in Georgia always celebrates the Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, his son Mardiros and his 14 soldiers-companions with great enthusiasm and love. It is one of the special and beloved feasts of the Armenian Church.

The Armenian faithful of Tbilisi celebrate the Feast of St. Sarkis with a traditional religious procession leading to the old St. Sarkis Chapel, built in 1883. The tradition has not been broken once again.

On the eve of the feast, on February 10, 2017, many Armenian faithful, gathered near the Saint Etchmiadzin Church to start a religious procession. Together with the Fathers, they made their way to the old St. Sarkis Chapel in Kharpukh district, holding icons of St. Sarkis and gonfalons. The procession of faithful of different ages approached the site of the chapel, simultaneously singing Armenian Church psalms and raising their prayers. Almost 1000 pilgrims could light a candle and offer a prayer. During that time, Rev. Father Manuk Zeinalyan and Rev. Father Samvel Torosyan, with the participation of deacons and sub-deacons, performed Armenian sharakans, the participants of the procession joined in. The faithful celebrated the pilgrimage and headed for the Saint Gevorg Cathedral. Here they were joined by hundreds of faithful.

The Cathedral of Saint George and its courtyard were crowded. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan presided over the evening service on the eve of the feast, with the participation of the clergy. Despite the snow and cold, the faithful in the courtyard listened to the service through loudspeakers until the end.

The Bishop preached about the mystery of the day, how together with his 14 soldiers-companions Captain St. Sarkis was martyred for the sake of Christian faith. The Primate highlighted that by the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain and his soldiers-companions is proclaimed day of blessing of the youth. The Diocesan Primate offered a special ceremony of blessing of young people, wishing them the fulfillment of wishes.

It is accepted to celebrate the Feast of St. Sarkis not only according to church rites and prayer, but also according to various folk traditions.

Following the church services, young people gathered in the church courtyard traditionally received salty cookies; the appearance of the future bride or bridegroom in a dream is related to eating of the salty cookie.

On February 11, on the Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Saint Gevorg Cathedral.

The Feast of the St. Sarkis the Captain was celebrated with pilgrimages and Divine Liturgies in other churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

Prior to the feast day and on the day of the feast the faithful, led by the clergy, conducted religious processions and pilgrimages to the churches and chapels name after St. Sarkis the Captain. The faithful of Akhalkalaki made a pilgrimage to the Surb Sarkis Church in the village of Diliska. On the eve of the feast In the Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church in Akhalkalaki the Very Rev. Fr. Babken Salbiyan, the Prelate of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka's General Prelacy of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, presided over the evening service and a ceremony of blessing of young people. The following day, Rev. Father Tigran Mkhitaryan celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Surb Sargis Church in the village of Diliska. A pilgrimage was made from Akhaltsikhe to the Surb Sarkis Church in the village of Sazeli. The locals and pilgrims attended the Divine Liturgy and a ceremony of blessing of young people, conducted by the Rev. Father Torgom Vardanyan. Following the church rites, conducted by Rev. Father Armash Poghosyan in the Surb Sargis Church in Ninotsminda, young people received salty cookies, made by the local “Rafael Javakh” Center’s students. In the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior) in Batumi, in addition to church rites and folk traditions initiated by Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan, a celebratory event marked the occasion.