On June 10, 2017, in the evening, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, accompanied by the clergy, continued his tour to Samtskhe-Javakheti with a visit to the Surb Gevork Church in the village of Arakova. The wooden dome of the church collapsed in 1995. The church was renovated and re-consecrated in 2006, through the charity of the late Meruzhan Tutunjyan and with the support of the locals.

The main purpose of the visit was to consecrate the altar of the church. Armenia-based native of Arakova, Armen Yaylakhanyan sponsored the reconstruction of the church. Despite the late hour, in the twilight, but in the crowded church the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan; with the participation of Very Rev. Fr. Babken Salbiyan, the Prelate of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka's General Prelacy of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; and the clergy consecrated the altar of the church. The Primate appreciated the church-loving initiative of Armen Yaylakhanyan, who undertook the sponsorship of the renovation works of the Surb Gevork Church.

Following church services, the Diocesan Primate and the Prelate, accompanied by other guests, visited the Khrimyan Hayrik Kindergarten (adjunct to the church), asked about the sheer number of students attending the kindergarten and the educational process. They expressed their satisfaction on the occasion of the works that had been implemented by Rev. Father Tadeos Ter-Mkrtchyan, Pastor of the Surb Gevork Church in Arakova and nearby villages, and his wife Narine Ter-Mkrtchyan, it is through their efforts that children receive religious education, learn how to pray and perform spiritual hymns. There was a proposal to give school children religious education within the frames of the Sunday School activities.

Pieces of sacrificed lamb were distributed to the believers, which was organized by benefactor Armen Yaylakhanyan.

Arakova has a population of 1300. Agriculture and cattle breeding are the main occupation of the locals. The ancestors of present residents settled in the Arakova village after migrating from the Jinis village of Erzerum and built the Surb Gevork Church in 1863. The church was consecrated only in 1907. During the Soviet era, the ancient church had turned into a storage room and was quickly forgotten. Following the renovation in 2006, the church has served the community since then.