On February 24, 2017, during the official visit to Georgia, RA Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan and his delegation members visited the Armenian Churches in Tbilisi.

In the Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi, the high-ranking officials were welcomed by His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; Very Rev. Fr. Babken Salbiyan, the Prelate of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka's General Prelacy of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; and by the clergy.

The delegation members laid flowers on Sayat-Nova’s tomb and on the tombs of the Armenian generals.

RA Prime Minister and the government delegation members toured the ancient Armenian Cathedral of Saint George. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia presented the history of the Armenian Church to the guests from the motherland. The Diocesan Primate conveyed the blessing and best wishes of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to RA Prime Minister and his delegation members. The Bishop expressed gratitude to the Armenian Government, which through the RA Ministry of Diaspora continues to support the Armenian institutions in Georgia, as well as the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. The Primate extended words of appreciation to the national benefactor, Mr. Ruben Vardanian and his friends for the implementation of the renovation initiative of the Cathedral, noting the contributions made by the Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. The Diocesan Primate mentioned the careful attitude of the Georgian authorities to the Armenian Diocese and the Armenian community, reflected on the important role of the Armenian community in Georgia in the strengthening and development of Armenian-Georgian friendly relations. RA Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan gave the painting of the Holy Mother of God to the Armenian Diocese in Georgia as present, and the Diocesan Primate presented the RA Prime Minister with the book-album, published by Initiatives for Development of Armenia (IDeA) Foundation on the reconstruction of the Cathedral of Saint George.

After lighting candles and saying their prayers in front of the altars consecrated in the name of Saint Sarkis the Warrior and Saint Vartan Mamikonyan, RA Prime Minister and the government delegation members proceeded to St. Echmiadzin Church in Avlabari and there, the high-ranking officials were welcomed by the local clergy and the diocesan officials.

RA Prime Minister bowed before the cross-stone (khachkar), erected in the church’s yard in the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims and laid flowers on the pedestal.

The Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan visited the Hayartun Cultural Educational and Youth Center together with his delegation. The delegation visited St. Movses Khorenatsi Primary School, where the primary school children performed the national anthems of the Republic of Armenia and Georgia, welcoming the guests.

Later, in the Galouste Gyulbenkyan Hall, the RA Prime Minister met with the officials, state and public figures, representatives of the Armenian community from Tbilisi and other regions populated by Armenians.

Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan greeted the RA Prime Minister and the government delegation members by a welcome speech.

After that RA Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan welcomed the attendees and held a question and answer session. Mrs. Elena Bayakhcheva, the widow of Tbilisi-based Armenian artist Lev Bayakhchev, of blessed memory, presented the RA Prime Minister with the work of the distinguished artist, whose personal exhibition was organized at the Hayartun Center.

At the conclusion of his official visit Karen Karapetyan and the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan visited the Tbilisi State Drama Theatre after Petros Adamyan and there they were welcomed by the artistic director of the theatre, Armen Bayanduryan. The theatre activities and the issues of reconstruction were discussed during the brief meeting with the Administration of the theatre.