On June 22, 2017, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, accompanied by Levon Chidilyan, Head of the Hayartun Center and Director of the Cultural Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; Director of the Educational Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and the "St. Movses Khorenatsi" Preschool Principal, Eugenia Markosyan; Director of the Administrative Department of the Diocese, Karen Yeritsyan; made a three-day visit to Adjaria to hold meetings with the faithful and state officials of the Armenian community of Batumi.

On June 22, the Alexander Mantashev Center in Batumi of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia hosted a meeting with the church-loving youth. Issues related to the youth education, acquisition of professional skills and employment were discussed during the meeting.

Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan, the Pastor of the Surb Prkich (Saint Savior) Church in Batumi, expressed concern that the Armenian girls and boys of Adjaria frequently applied to the Batumi Navigation Teaching University, and after getting a job after graduation, were parting away from the city and their families for months, thus causing many problems in their lives. Father Ararat exhorted the youth to choose those professions which would give them an opportunity to find a local job, stay in the city, at home, and to help ensure that families stay strong.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Diocesan Primate conveyed his blessings to the youth wishing them success in all their endeavors.

On the same day the Center hosted a meeting with the teachers employed at the Alexander Mantashev Educational Cultural Youth Center in Batumi and in Ozurgeti.

Bishop Vazgen highly appreciated the work of the teachers and their sense of responsibility, and instructed them to continue the organization of the religious and cultural events, the goal of which is to make the community life in Adjaria more active, with the same commitment. The Diocesan Primate extended his gratitude to the Center’s Director Sona Hovhannisyan, for organizing numerous meaningful activities at the center and effective management.

During the meeting, the teachers expressed a wish to have a private pianist at the Center. The Diocesan Primate found the problem’s solution.

The attendees also discussed issues related to the spreading of the course of the St. Mesrop Mashtots Sunday school in Batumi and the “Sahak Parthev” Sunday School in Ozurgeti over a three year period, as well as extra instructional time and additional meal during the day for the children at St. Gregory the Illuminator Kindergarten from September.

The Diocesan Primate offered a positive solution to the issues.

In the evening of that same day, the teachers and young people, as well as the children, their teachers and parents, who had arrived from Armenia, took part in an evening service in the Surb Prkich (Saint Savior) Church.

Following the evening service the Primate conveyed his greetings to the attendees and blessings to the children.

On June 23, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, together with his delegation members and the Pastor of the Surb Prkich (Saint Savior) Church, met with Batumi Mayor Giorgi Yermakov in Batumi City Hall. The Primate noted with satisfaction that the City Hall administration showed respect and paid proper attention to the Surb Prkich (Saint Savior) Church and the Armenian community of Batumi. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan and Batumi Mayor Giorgi Yermakov discussed issues related to the Armenian Church and the Armenian community during the meeting. After the meeting, the Diocesan Primate and the mayor of Batumi exchanged gifts.

On the same day, the Alexander Mantashev Center hosted a concert marking the end of 2016/2017 academic year. In attendance was the Primate, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan.

The occasion was honored with the presence of Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Batumi Yeghishe Sargsyan.

At the conclusion of the event the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia congratulated the students of the St. Mesrop Mashtots Sunday school on successful completion of their courses, offered his paternal blessings and handed out certificates to the students.

In the evening, the Diocesan Primate and his delegation met with the Pastor of the Surb Prkich (Saint Savior) Church, Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan and the Parish council members. Issues related to the consolidation of the Armenians of Batumi around the Church and to the broadening of the scope of the church activities were discussed during the meeting. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia expressed his appreciation to Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan, Pastor of Armenians in Adjaria, Guria, Imereti, and the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior), for his dedicated service.

On June 24, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and his delegation, together with the Armenian faithful of Batumi, attended the Morning Service at the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior), and returned to Tbilisi.