On June 17, 2017, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the Feast of the St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Deliverance from the Pit.

On the occasion of the feast, with the blessings of His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, led by Rev.Father Virap Ghazaryan, Pastor of the Saint Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi, a group of faithful made a pilgrimage to the church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God Church) in the Akhkiorpi village in Marneuli region.
In the place, the pilgrims were joined by the local population and headed to the ancient church, where Rev. Father Virap Ghazaryan celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

During the Divine Liturgy, the celebrant properly read a sermon on the sacrament of the day - the deliverance of St. Gregory the Illuminator from the pit. He spoke about Saint Gregory the Illuminator’s dedication to the Christian faith and deliverance from the pit after more than 13 years’ imprisonment to spread the light of Christ in Armenia.

This historical event led to Armenia’s conversion to Christianity. Armenian King Tiridates, becomes ardent supporter in Gregory’s efforts to preach Christianity throughout Armenia, and baptize the Armenian nation. Christianity is proclaimed by the King and the Catholicos to be the state religion of Armenia, the first nation in the world to do so. St. Gregory is sent to Caesarea, where he is consecrated as the first Pontiff of the Armenian Church, and becomes the first Catholicos of All Armenians. Father Virap called upon the people present, following the example of the first Catholicos of All Armenians, to stay strong in their faith and to rely upon the support of our Saints.

The local residents and pilgrims received the sacrament of Penitence and Holy Communion. The pilgrims lit candles and prayed from the heart in the Surb Astvatsatsin Church.

The Armenian Church has three feasts commemorating the key events in the life of St. Gregory, including the Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Torments and Commitment to the Pit, Feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s deliverance from the pit, the Commemoration Day of the discovery of the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

St.Gregory the Illuminator is honored with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of Christian Churches.