On October 18, 2017, the candidate for mayor of Batumi from the “Georgian Dream” party, Lasha Komakhidze visited the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior). Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan, Pastor of Armenians in Ajara, Guria, Imereti, and the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior); greeted and welcomed the candidate and accompanying him individuals. Father Ararat transmitted to the guests the blessings and good wishes of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan; and presented the history of the church and its spiritual activities.

Later, candidate for mayor, Lasha Komakhidze and accompanying him individuals visited the Alexander Mantashev Educational Cultural Youth Center in Batumi (Armenian Diocese in Georgia); they were introduced to the activities of the preschool, Sunday school and creative groups operating here.

The candidate for mayor of Batumi also met with members of the local Armenian community. Lasha Komakhidze presented those programs and projects, which will be fulfilled for the welfare of the city and its residents, if they win the race; he emphasized the importance of ensuring the involvement of the Armenians of Batumi in the aforementioned cultural, social and economic projects implementation.

The candidate for mayor of Batumi entertained questions from the Armenians of Batumi regarding mother-tongue education, the preservation of national culture, the development of spiritual life of the Armenians of Batumi.

At the conclusion of the meeting Father Ararat on behalf of the faithful wished the candidate for mayor to win the election and success in achieving goals.