On the initiative of the Youth Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and with assistance from the Diocesan Headquarters, Armenian faithful of Tbilisi made one-day pilgrimage to the shrines of Armenia – Haghartsin and Goshavank.

With the blessing and good wishes of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, almost 90 Armenian pilgrims from Tbilisi, led by the Sacristan of the Church, Rev. Father Manuk Zeynalyan, Deacon Gevork Antonyan, escorted by Head of the Youth Department Valery Badalyan and youth programs coordinator Nina Seropova, gathered at the Saint Etchmiadzin Church in Avlabari and headed towards shrines located in the Tavush Province of Armenia. Despite the rainy and cold weather, the pilgrims were excited and willing to go on pilgrimage and attend church services. The first stop was Haghartsin, a 10-th century monastery, which in the 13th century became one of the major educational and scientific centers.

In the ancient church the pilgrims lit candles and raised their prayers to God asking for support. Rev. Father Manuk Zeyanalyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy. The celebrant offered a sermon reflecting on the mystery of pilgrimage, prayer and the Sacrament of Holy Communion, spoke about the significant role of the monastery in the life of the Armenian people. The Divine Liturgy opened the hearts of faithful and filled them with the desire to make pilgrimages and participate in church rites. The pilgrims toured St. Gregory Church and St. Astvtsatsin Church, the refectory, the chapels on the mountain slope. Received the news that All Armenian Fund and Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi had helped to restore and rescue the Armenian monastery.

After receiving Holy Communion and spiritual cleansing the pilgrims then made their way to the other shrines of the Tavush Province. They visited a 12-13th century Armenian monastery located in the village of Gosh, on the bank of Getik River, which was a center of religion, education and culture. With the support of Prince Ivane Zakaryan, Goshavank was erected in the place of an older monastery once known as Nor Getik, which had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1188. Mkhitar Gosh, a statesman, scientist and author of numerous fables and parables as well as the first criminal code, took part in the rebuilding of the monastery. After his death (1213) the monastery was renamed Goshavank.

The faithful led by Father Manuk lit candles and said a prayer in Goshavank.

Despite the difference in their ages (from 5 to 80 years old), pilgrims were united in their wish to become closer to God with the help of pilgrimage and to feel spiritual rebirth. God gave the pilgrims strength to pray from the spirit and heart everywhere. The pilgrims returned to Tbilisi late at night, with great impressions and feeling spiritually enriched.