On November 20, 2017, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan toured Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka's General Prelacy of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. The Diocesan Primate was accompanied by the councilor at the RA Embassy in Georgia, Artak Grabsky; Head of the Financial Affairs of the Diocese Margarita Kirakosyan; and Director of the Administrative Department of the Diocese, Karen Yeritsyan. The first stop was the Saint Sargis Church in Nardevan village of Tsalka region. The Diocesan Primate in the company of Pastor, Rev. Father Gevond Topashyan visited the church, examined the general state of the church, listened to the report of the Pastor on the work undertaken; at the Holy Altar raised their voices together in prayer to God.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia paid a visit to the Rafael Javakh Cultural Educational and Youth Center in Ninotsminda, where the Pastor of the region, Rev. Father Armash Poghosyan provided information on the work undertaken by the pastorate and the Center.

Director of the Rafael Javakh Center, Zhora Snkhchyan, provided details on the planned activities of the creative groups of the Center. The Center’s teachers and employees who were attending the meeting presented their courses, teaching methods, outlined the scope of future activities. The Diocesan Primate expressed satisfaction on the occasion of the work that had been implemented by the Center’s creative groups, including the choir, dance group, recitation classes, the Armenian History and Armenian Church History courses, English courses, Arts and National Armenian Carpet School. The Primate conveyed his blessings and appreciation to the Pastor, the Center’s administration and teachers for the dedicated service. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia presented Rev. Father Armash Poghosyan with the painting of Tbilisi by famous Armenian artist of Tbilisi, Tengiz Mikoyants. The guests were satisfied that the children from other villages of Ninotsminda region also visit the Center.

The councilor at the RA Embassy in Georgia, Artak Grabsky; also expressed satisfaction at the work that had been completed.

Following the meeting, the Center’s teaching staff and the clergy led by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia visited the Saint Sargis Church in Ninotsminda where a prayer of thanks was said in front of the Holy Table.

Following the church services, Father Armash informed the Diocesan Primate about recent donations. Devoted son of the nation, Varazdat Marabyan donated sacred vessels and the organ to the church.

Following the meeting in Ninotsminda, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgian and accompanying him individuals visited Akhalkalaki, where they were welcomed by local Pastors, Rev. Father Yeghishe Harutyunyan and Rev. Father Tatev Marukyan.

The Bishop took part in an evening service at the Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church in Akhalkalaki.

Following the church services, Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan and Artak Grabsky visited Javakheti Information Center JNEWS, got acquainted with the work of the center. The Primate and the diplomat highly appreciated the work of the Information Center. During the meeting with the Information Center’s staff they discussed the issues of cooperation.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and accompanying him individuals visited Headquarters of the Prelacy, where they held a working meeting with the employees.

Later, the Diocesan Primate had a meeting with Georgian MP Henzel Mkoyan, newly elected Mayor of Akhalkalaki Yuri Hunanyan, and newly elected Chairman of Municipality Assembly (Sakrebulo) Nairi Iritsyan.

Bishop Vazgen on behalf of the clergy and officials of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia congratulated the Honorable MP for holding high-level and peaceful local self-government elections, expressed his gratitude to the MP for his attention to the Armenian Church, culture and education.

The Diocesan Primate congratulated and offered his blessings to the newly elected Mayor and Chairman of Municipality Assembly, wishing them productive work.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia continues his visit to Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka's General Prelacy of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.