On February 22, 2017, a literary montage on the eve of the Feast of St. Vartan the Captain and his 1036 Companions was held in the Saint Gevorg Cathedral in Tbilisi. The event was organized through the efforts of the students from Tbilisi № 103 Georgian-Armenian Public School, at the initiative of Armenian language and literature specialist, Gayane Mkhitaryan.

Attending the celebration was the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan. The occasion was honored with the presence of № 103 School Principal, Archil Chkhaidze.

The school students lit candles and recited the Lord’s Prayer in front of the altar consecrated in the name of Saint Vardan, which was followed by a literary montage. Speeches were made by the students, a photo slideshow featuring pictures of the Vartanants martyrdom complemented there presentation.

At the conclusion of the event, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia offered his appreciation and blessing remarks. Referring to the fate of the Armenian people to defend the Homeland and preserve the Christian faith, the strong will to confront the enemy, the Primate reflected on the meaning of the Vardanants War for the Georgian people, highlighting the struggle of two neighboring nations, Armenians and Georgians, for freedom and Motherland under Vartan Mamikonian and Vakhtang Gorgasali. The Bishop extended words of appreciation to the School Principal, the teaching staff, particularly Gayane Mkhitaryan, for familiarizing children with the Armenian national and church holidays, encouraging them by the heroic deeds of the nation’s children. The Diocesan Primate congratulated the school children on the occasion of the feast and presented them with blessed crosses.

Among the attendees were the school students, parents, teachers and many faithful, who participated in the Evening Services, on the eve of the feast. The Primate congratulated all those whose Naming Day is celebrated on the Feast of St. Vartan, exhorting them to remain faithful to St. Vardanants memory.

The following day, on February 23, 2017, under the presidency of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, to mark the Feast of St. Vartan the Captain and his 1036 Companions the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Saint Gevorg Cathedral in Tbilisi.

The celebrant was the Pastor of the Saint Etchmiadzin Church in Avlabari, Rev. Father Virap Ghazaryan.

The Diocesan Primate presided over the repose of the soul service.
During the Divine Liturgy, the celebrant preached about the mystery of the day, valiant commanders and their companions, who fought for their faith and homeland. Rev. Father highlighted the three concepts, which embody St. Vartan. Among these are the faith in God, patriotism and bravery. These concepts existing in public consciousness have become the slogan of the Armenian people. The Armenian soldiers’ service, who are standing on duty and guarding the borders of our fatherland, is an eloquent testimony to that fact.

The Feast day of St. Vartan the Captain and Companions is also celebrated as the Naming Day of His Holiness Karekin II. To mark the occasion, at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, a Pontifical Prayer was offered before the Holy Altar. A joint prayer service was offered for the vibrancy and glory of the Catholicosate of All Armenians, wishing the Supreme Patriarch a long and healthy life. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia extended his message of blessing to the faithful and the clergymen, referring to the victory obtained in the struggle for survival, freedom gained through strength of mind, steadfastness in Christian faith and defense of the motherland.

The celebrations and Divine Liturgies on the occasion of the Feast of St. Vartan the Captain and his companions will continue in the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.