In the framework of the three-day official visit to Tbilisi, the delegation of the RA National Assembly led by the Head of the RA Parliament, Ara Babloyan, on September 26, 2017, visited the Tbilisi Pantheon of the Armenian Writers and Public Figures “Khojivank”, where they were welcomed by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan; Very Rev. Fr. Babken Salbiyan, the Prelate of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka's General Prelacy of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; diplomats from the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Georgia, and the clergy. The guests laid flowers on the tombs of Armenian Greats; the Diocesan Primate presided over the repose of the soul service.

Later, the high-ranking officials from Armenia traveled to the “House of Hovhannes Tumanyan” Center for Science and Culture, where they met with Armenian community representatives from Tbilisi, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli, leaders of Armenian civic organizations and intellectuals.

Armen Rustamyan, Elected Member of the National Assembly from the RPA national electoral list; Lena Nazaryan, Elected Member of the National Assembly from the national electoral list  of the “Way Out” alliance of parties; Vardevan Grigoryan, Elected Member of the National Assembly from the territorial electoral list of the electoral district #11 of the “Tsarukyan” alliance of parties; Armen Ashotyan, Elected Member of the National Assembly by the RPA national electoral list; RA Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Shavarsh Kocharyan; participated in the meeting with the Armenian community.

The Head of the RA Parliament and the delegation accompanying him toured the center, viewed the halls and the library filled with the breath of the Great Tumanyan.

The members of the delegation and the representatives of the Armenian community of Georgia attended the meeting. In her opening remarks, the director of the “House of Hovhannes Tumanyan” Center for Science and Culture of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Gisane Hovsepyan; briefed attendees on the history of Hovhannes Tumanyan’s last home in Tbilisi, referring to the return of Tumanyan's Tbilisi house to the Armenian community of Georgia, she spoke about the activities of the Center and the future milestones.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia greeted the guests and spoke about the centuries-old Armenian-Georgian friendship, noting that the Armenian community of Georgia, which has created national and spiritual values, remains the cornerstone for it, noting in particular the construction of churches in the Diocese, the centers in Tbilisi, Batumi, Ninotsminda and Rustavi, operating under the patronage of the Diocese, the activities of which are aimed at preservation of spiritual and national identity, language and culture.

In his remarks, the RA NA Speaker Ara Babloyan briefed the people present on the issues discussed during the three-day official visit, related to strategy, economy and law-making of the two neighboring countries. The head of the legislative body shared his impressions of his visit to the Patriarchate of Georgia and the meeting with Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilya II. The RA NA Speaker Ara Babloyan attached importance to fact that Armenians are law-abiding and loyal citizens of Georgia, which had been announced during the meetings with the high-ranking Georgian officials.

The guests held a question and answer session. The questions related to the inter-state relations between the two countries, economic ties and transport communications, preservation of national values and the situation in Artsakh. Almost all the members of the delegation answered the raised questions. The Head of the RA Parliament presented a book to the Center’s library.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia invited the guests to the Saint Gevorg Cathedral. The members of the delegation of the RA National Assembly laid flowers on Sayat-Nova’s tomb and on the tombs of the Armenian generals in the courtyard of the church. The guests offered prayers and lit candles in the ancient church, following which the Primate introduced the guests to history of the church and the restoration process. The Bishop presented the Head of the RA Parliament with the book-album “Surb Gevorg Cathedral: Frescoes”.

The delegation of the RA National Assembly ended the working visit to Georgia with the blessings of the ancient church and great impressions.