On April 13, 2017, the Holy Thursday, following the Morning Service, a Divine Liturgy was offered in the functioning churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. Under the presidency of His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Saint Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi. The celebrant was Rev. Father Husik Harutyunyan, Pastor of Armenians in Bolnisi and Tetritskaro regions.

During the Divine Liturgy, the celebrant priests delivered the homily in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ’s Last Supper and the establishment of the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Later, the Service of Washing of the Feet was offered as a remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ washing the feet of his twelve disciples as a sign of humility. Under the presidency of His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, the Diocesan Primate; the Service of Washing of the Feet was offered in the Cathedral of Saint George.

The Fathers of the Diocesan Armenian churches, following the example of Christ, knelt down on the Bema, in front of the Church altar, and washed and anointed with blessed oil, the feet of twelve children while the singing of the hymns was performed. At the conclusion of the service, the oil was distributed to the parish.

In the evening of the Holy Thursday, the “Khavaroom” or Vigil Service was delivered, which is the introduction to Good Friday. It symbolizes the Crucifixion and Burial of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, in the Cathedral of Saint George in particular, during the service under the presidency of His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, the Gospel readings recalling the prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane, His betrayal, subsequent arrest, and the denial by Peter took place.

During the “Khavaroom” or Vigil Service, the faithful were called to make a vow of adherence to Christ, to live with Christian love and never betray Jesus.

The “Khavaroom” or Vigil Service was offered in all the churches of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church in Georgia.