Easter celebrations at the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia were held according to the rites and canons of the Armenian Church, with the participation of many faithful. Just as on Easter Eve (Candlelight Divine Liturgy), so on Easter in Tbilisi, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Marneuli, Tsalka region and Batumi religious ceremonies were conducted with the participation of many faithful. And inasmuch as this year the Armenian Church and the Georgian Orthodox Church celebrated Easter simultaneously, the feast became more solemn and crowded.

The feast was very solemn in Tbilisi.

The Cathedral of St. George and the Saint Etchmiadzin Church in Avlabari and their courtyards were crowded. The morning service, the ceremony of Andastan, and after that the Divine Liturgy in honor of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ were conducted in the ancient Cathedral. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan presided over the services. In attendance were diplomats from the RA Embassy in Georgia, community officials, artists and educational workers, many faithful.

The celebration of Easter in the Armenian Church was honored with the presence of the members of Georgian government, headed by Zaza Vashakmadze, the Head of the State Agency for Religious Issues.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy the Primate of the Diocese congratulated the parish on the occasion of the Lord’s Resurrection and read a sermon on the sacrament of the day, highlighting that the Lord’s Resurrection symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness. The Primate wished that the victory of good would bring light to Armenia and Georgia, the Armenian Apostolic and Georgia Orthodox Churches, and to all faithful.

In the Surb Sarkis Church in Ninotsminda Easter was celebrated in a unique way. On April 16 the flight from Jerusalem, with pilgrims on board, landed in Tbilisi. Among them was the godfather of the Surb Sarkis Church in Ninotsminda, Varazdat Marabyan, with candles lit with Holy Fire from Jesus’ tomb.

The godfather of the church brought the Holy Fire to Ninotsminda at 4 a.m.

The Saint Sarkis Church was packed with worshipers. Everyone, led by the local Pastor, Rev. Father Armash Poghosyan, waited for the guest to arrive. The church doors open wide. Wearing the red surplice, holding candles, put out from the Holy fire, in his hand, Varazdat Marabyan enters the church. The silence deepened. The Holy Fire is transferred to the Holy Altar. “Christ Is Risen From the Dead” and “Praise the Lord O Jerusalem” psalms and prayers sound under the walls of the church.

That night many of the faithful in Ninotsminda took their candles with Holy Fire home to light family Easter candles.

The Divine Liturgies in connection to the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ were conducted in all the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.